Books in Texas schools

Abstract

The old system of providing books for elementary and secondary schools by means of book showers and organization benefits or gifts is slowly yielding in Texas to a library provision in the school budget. Texas has no library laws except a very limited provision for library aid to rural schools, but the library requirements of the Southern Association, a greater emphasis upon libraries in the State Department of Education, and the growing and urgent demand for better public library facilities are factors responsible for improved conditions. Since 1930, in spite of the depression, many high schools belonging to the Southern Association have employed librarians. Excerpts from two letters just received describe conditions with which many of these young librarians are confronted: am now employed as part time librarian of the High School, at a salary of $750.00 per year. In connection with the library work I am required to teach two English courses, one algebra, and take care of one study period in the grade school. The library has about 1,700 volumes, one-sixth classified according to Dewey. We are making a collection of materials for the Texas Centennial. The other letter is equally descriptive of the attitude toward the library in a small high school just beginning to think of the library as a legitimate department: 'I was employed as librarian and study hall teacher of the High School, but found on my arrival that I was expected to teach junior and senior history as well. The library has never been organized or classified and the only time I have to work on the books is on holidays, Saturdays and after school hours. The need of the library is so great, I feel I must spend my time in this manner. I have a very fine man as superintendent, but he does not realize the work and time required for this task. My salary is $100 a month for a nine months' term. I am very eager to secure a position as full-time librarian. In some of the larger high schools the libraries conform more nearly to accepted patterns. Texas does not have a State Supervisor of school libraries. The supervision and inspection from the State Department of Education is given by teacher supervisors. With a trained and experienced librarian supervisor as a coordinator, the high school library would probably have a much better chance to .become the heart of the school, and the librarian might be surer of being considered a member of the staff instead of a member of the office force, as one superintendent recently designated the librarian of his senior high school. High school librarians in small places suffer from an occupational isolation; and, coming to their jobs with the enthusiasm born in library school, they find it difficult to adjust themselves to the library as they find it. In