Teacher perceptions of understaffed school libraries

The purpose of this mixed methods study is to learn what classroom teachers perceive the effects of improper staffing of school libraries to be. It asks: What do classroom teachers perceive are the effects of improper staffing or the cutting of a school librarian? Through the qualitative analysis of survey responses, the study found that teachers perceived teacher librarians to have a positive impact on student achievement through collaboration and to be a valuable asset in providing resources for staff and students. Qualitatively, results from two school districts, one with and one without a certified librarian staffed in their middle and high school, showed that teachers perceived the role of a certified librarian to be important and supportive to their students’ educational careers. Teachers perceived the role of a certified librarian to be key in exposing their students to adequate literature and resources, and as a collaborative partner in their own work. Quantitatively, over 90% of teachers in both districts believe students would be impacted positively by having a certified librarian staffed in their school. Additionally, 78% of staff in the district without a full time librarian felt that collaborating with a certified librarian would be valuable to them and their teaching. Overall, regardless of staffing, both districts felt that having a certified teacher librarian present and utilized in their buildings would have a positive impact on student achievement