Alabama school libraries

Abstract

The development of school libraries has been an integral part of the program of the Alabama State Department of Education over a period of years. The Division of Secondary Education has, through a fourteen-year program of accreditment, developed the collections in high schools in quantity and quality. The standards as set up include minimum essentials in book collection, organization, and administration with added suggestions for the larger schools; the final goal being a well-organized library averaging at least five books per pupil in a well-balanced collection, rendering service to the entire school. Thus far, no standards of librarianship have been included. However, all principals are encouraged to secure teachers having some hours of special library training. The present supervisory program of the Division is emphasizing instructional procedures that call for a wider use of the library. The Division of Elementary Education ranks books and libraries high in its standardization program begun six years ago. Existing conditions have retarded the progress of the plan, but many schools are being ranked A, B, C, or D schools on the basis of teacher training, number of teachers, equipment, and library. Library requirements increase from the minimum of one book per pupil to the total of three books per pupil, plus supplementary readers and reference tools. All books must be selected from approved lists. The teaching program, particularly in counties having supervisors of elementary schools, demands a constantly increasing collection of varied titles. Courses in Children's Literature in the teacher-training institutions are serving to make the teachers more book-conscious and to increase the need for good libraries. The State Supervisor of Public School Libraries, provided through a fiveyear (1931-1936) appropriation of the General Education Board, works with both high schools and elementary schools in promoting standards in bookselection, trained personnel, location, and organization. The book selection for the school libraries is based on lists compiled and distributed by the State Department of Education. An appropriation for state-aid for rural school libraries serves to stimulate the building up of splendid collections. In 1911 the legislature appropriated $6,700.00, or $100.00 per county; in 1927 added $18,300.00, making a total of $25,000.00; in 1932 reduced the total to $17,500.00. The aid is granted on the basis of $1.00 state funds for $2.00 local or county funds, on orders totaling not less than thirty dollars. In the years 1929-34 applications for state-aid totaling $80,867.65 have been filled, indicating that $242,602.95 have been spent on books for