School libraries pinched by state cuts

Pittsburgh Noon Kiwanis Club donates hundreds of books

By Brett Dalton
Published: April 7, 2010, in The Morning Sun
http://www.morningsun.net/news/x1664796336/School-libraries-pinched-by-state-cuts

PITTSBURG, KANSAS - Late last month, the Pittsburg Noon Kiwanis Club donated hundreds of books to local school libraries as part of an international Kiwanis program aimed at providing young children with reading opportunities.

The Kiwanis International Read Around the World program, once a month-long observance, has become a yearlong focus for the group and centers around "sharing the joy of book with children - from reading with them to getting them books they can have for their very own."

The Pittsburg Noon Kiwanis Club has participated for years by distributing approximately 300 books to elementary schools in Pittsburg, including the four USD 250 schools, St. Mary's Elementary School and Countryside Christian School. Jennifer Gibson, Youth Services chair and coordinator of the Pittsburg Kiwanis' Read Around the World program, said "our members take pride in presenting these books to the elementary libraries."

Always a welcomed gift, the book donations hold even more meaning this year, as reductions in state aid have reduced significantly the purchasing power of school librarians.

"It has pretty drastically affected our libraries," said Doris Grotheer, librarian at Westside Elementary School in Pittsburg. "We've taken a substantial cut."

Grotheer said the school continues to purchase books, but added that "it's not to the extent that I had in the past."

"So, of course, we're really happy to see those books (from the Kiwanis Club) come in," she said. "The cuts have hurt us, and this (donation) steps up and helps us a little bit."

Destry Brown, USD 250 superintendent, said the cuts in library budgets are part of a 10 percent across-the-board budget cut at each of the district's schools - reductions that were caused by the severe decrease in state aid.

More than just limiting the number of books schools can buy, librarians are also having to cut back on a variety of other expenditures.

"It's affected technology quite a bit, too," said Connie Huddleston, librarian at George Nettels Elementary School. "We aren't able to purchase a number of things, such as computer programs.We're also having to buy supplies out of our book budget or even with our own personal funds."

Huddleston said donations from the Kiwanis and other groups, such as the PTO, have helped offset at least some of the losses in regular purchases.

"They have been very helpful in covering things that we would have normally purchased with school funds," she said.

As is nearly everyone in the education business, school librarians are holding their collective breaths while waiting to see what next year's funding situation may look like.

"It's possible we'll see the same cut or more next year," Huddleston said. "Hopefully we'll just hold level with where we are now."