The number of New Jersey school librarians and media specialists has shown a decline in recent years. The Philiadelphia Inquirer reports:
"Over the last five years, the number of certified library/media specialists in New Jersey public schools has dropped by almost 15 percent, according to the New Jersey Association of School Librarians, whose own membership has been cut almost in half.
There were 1,580 certified specialists statewide last year, down from 1,850 in 2007-08, serving about 2,500 schools."
Fifteen percent in five years. Following the trend, there will be none in twenty-five years. Or some, but they won't be happy. A baker's dozen overworked librarians checking out the same copy of Cat in the Hat to eighth graders, or whatever they read at that age. Think about that, New Jersey, if you can read this.
Also, why did I have to get this from a Philadelphia news source? Have they let go all the New Jersey reporters, too?