President Obama’s fiscal year 2011 budget proposal to Congress, released on Feb. 1, included a $400 billion investment into education but did not include specific funds for school libraries. Even more concerning, the budget called for a consolidation of programs including Improving Literacy Through School Libraries, taking these funds out of reach for most school libraries. These policies would weaken our nation’s schools by stripping funding away from one the most cutting-edge tools in our education system.

School librarians understand that all students are innately creative, curious and motivated. The school librarian advances these characteristics through innovative strategies that develop students who think, create, share and generate knowledge. Our country needs strong school library programs to ensure our students graduate with 21st century skills that they will need to succeed in college and the workplace.

I call on the Western New York congressional delegation to reject these proposals by the administration and include school libraries in the education funding increase and protect the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program.

Whitney Arlene Crispell

Buffalo