Dear Ashland School Board and Superintendent Bogdanov,

                We are deeply concerned and saddened to hear about the proposed elimination of certified librarian positions at Ashland Middle School and Ashland High School. The idea to contract out a remote librarian at one hour per week, per school, through the Jackson County Educational Services District is woefully inadequate for serving these school communities. This would eliminate any direct instruction to students from a trained librarian, and would eliminate support for teachers who historically rely on their librarian for collaboration in order to deliver quality, standards-based lessons within a wide spectrum of subject areas.

Librarians serve as invaluable resources for our students, offering far more than just access to books. They play a critical role in promoting literacy and a love of reading among students. Librarians help develop critical thinking skills and instill a passion for learning that extends beyond the classroom.

In addition to promoting literacy, librarians and strong library programs are essential in teaching information literacy skills, particularly in an era dominated by digital information. They equip students with the ability to evaluate sources critically, distinguish between credible and unreliable information, and conduct research ethically. As certified and licensed teachers, librarians work together with classroom teachers to embed these skills into the classroom curriculum. These skills are vital not only for academic success but also for navigating the vast amount of information available online and for becoming responsible, informed citizens.

Moreover, librarians contribute to the overall school climate by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where all students feel valued and supported. Strong library programs provide a safe space for students to explore diverse perspectives, cultures, and experiences through literature and other resources. Here in the Ashland School District, we prioritize the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion. These values form the core of school librarians’ work: librarians who work closely with students and staff, that is, librarians who know their audience, are best able to match books with readers and to help those students feel seen and valued.

Cutting school district librarians would not only deprive students of valuable resources and support but also undermine the quality of education in our district. It would further burden our classified library staff, who will ultimately be asked to fill in the gaps created by the cuts, as well as add to our certified staff’s workload. Already overburdened teachers, who lack training in information literacy skills, will be left on their own when it comes to teaching research skills in their content areas.

We urge you to reconsider the proposed cuts to school librarians and explore alternative solutions to address our district’s budgetary concerns. Investing in our students' education by maintaining adequate staffing levels in school libraries is not only a wise decision, but a moral imperative. Trained, certified librarians are integral to ensuring our students’ success.