Board of Education- Please don't cut Library Time or Personnel

Mr. (     )   Board President

(address of school board)

February 22, 2010

Dear Mr. Adamshick, and Board of Education Members:

We have recently discovered that the Marlboro School District Libraries may operate on

a reduced scale, thus affording the children fewer hours during which to avail themselves of the magic, the stimuli, the valuable literary/multi-media environment, which is the School Library. A child’s love of books hopefully begins at home, but is strongly reinforced in the soft, child-friendly, colorful atmosphere of the School Library. Here, our children learn about the world of fantasy, about their environments, and about the lives of  others around the World, in subtle and not-so-subtle ways, which the Internet cannot replace; our children gain an understanding of respect for the tangible pages of magical words and pictures, and, under the gentle, knowledgeable tutelage of wonderfully devoted Library Clerks and Teachers, our children remember the library as a multi-sensory place where they will always find a haven in which to study, to think, and to Dream.  As an adult, I continue to find the Library an irreplaceable,  enchanting venue in which to escape and to *learn.*  My senses never cease to react when I imagine the various libraries of my childhood – an experience such as I’ve described should be offered to a child throughout the school Day. My desire is for my son to receive the same free Gift I experienced while growing up.

*How will our children replace the time they spend enjoying, learning, from the library books they are able to borrow; where will they go during the time they would spend within these sacred walls?*

As we understand it, the proposed cuts would also demote the District’s Library Clerks to a smaller number of work hours, thus, lowering their salaries; the reduction of their hours would result in a removal of the Clerks’ benefits, including health insurance.

We, the undersigned Parents, Grandparents, Relatives, Guardians of Marlboro Elementary School Children, feel the School Libraries should remain open throughout the

entire school Day. We feel the availability of the Library is *essential* for the completely well-rounded Education of our Children. I understand the District is faced with budgetary challenges, as most of us are, on various levels, at this moment in history.

We understand that the decisions which face you cannot be agreed upon with ease.

However, we ask you, most respectfully, to continue to leave your Marlboro School District’s Libraries open for the same hours as they already are, and to continue to compensate your  wonderful, caring, dedicated Library Clerks for their Full-Time Employment, without loss of any benefits.

Page 2 February 22, 2010 for Board of Education, re: School Library hours

We are respectfully grateful to you for your time and consideration, as you discuss this extremely important issue.

We are,

(names, & "parents/guardians of _____)