School Library
Dear Editor: There is an abundance of quality and well-documented research documents extolling the benefits a school library offers students of all ages, in all ways. I have found none that extol the benefits of a closed library for school children.
Yet Blatchley’s library has been closed since the first day of school last August. The school district did not offer the public any reason for this. Did they offer the students a reason? By this date in January, has there been any public statement that holds any veritable excuse for this educational crime? The Blatchley Librarian is still a SSD certified staff member, so they cannot very well argue closing the library was to save money. Do the kids think they are being punished? Certainly, the principal Ben White, has said, within earshot of parents several times, that he “would be happy if [he] never had a librarian on his staff ever again.”
And, last week, front page news celebrated how the SSD is partnering with experts about the importance of the “whole child?”
The School Board has offered no explanation – and no amount of fancy talk from SSD Administration excuses this crime. I did read that some 50 parents have formed a group supporting the re-opening of BMS Library. Fifty?? Every parent, past or present, of a SSD child, should be pounding the pavement, picketing, writing letters to Sitka’s school board members, the state Legislature, or someone who will listen, and rectify this crime against Blatchley’s students.
Books offer solace, support, escape, information, challenge, and thought-provoking questions and ideas, at the least. Blatchley’s library should re-open and be open every day of school, ALL DAY.
Wake up, Sitka.
G.L. Hammons, Sitka
