Letter: Cutting librarians will hurt achievement

As a faculty member at Iowa colleges for more than 10 years, currently at University of Northern Iowa, I am extremely disheartened that teacher librarians at Cedar Rapids Jefferson and Kennedy high schools may be cut for next year.

Here's why:

Twenty-two studies (including in Iowa) indicate K-12 librarians improve student achievement.

A 2009 study found that teachers are three times more likely to rate their literacy instruction as excellent when they collaborate with librarians.

A 2012 study found that teachers rated only 2 percent of students as excellent in their ability to recognize quality information, evaluate bias, verify sources and use multiple perspectives.

All these are things teacher librarians address, developing students' digital citizenship and information literacy skills that are so important for college and career readiness. School librarians are a fundamental part of a strong education program.

I recognize that challenging budget times in our schools force decisions we'd rather not make. But cutting these positions will cut one of the clearest factors contributing to student success.

College faculty need incoming students to be prepared as critical information consumers and empowered as digital citizens. Strong K-12 library programs with full-time certified teacher librarians in each building help ensure this is possible.

Anne Marie Gruber

Cedar Falls