Legislation to Address Librarian Shortage Introduced in House

Press Release

LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS LIBRARIAN SHORTAGE INTRODUCED IN HOUSE

Seeking to mitigate the impact of the librarian shortage on low-income communities, Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker, today, National Library Workers Day, introduced the "Librarian Incentive to Boost Recruitment and Retention in Areas of Need (LIBRARIAN) Act." Representatives Vernon Ehlers (MI-3), Raul Grijalva (AZ-07), and John Shimkus (IL-19) joined Rep. Becerra in support of the bipartisan legislation that seeks to encourage individuals to become and remain librarians in schools and public libraries in low-income areas. Senators Jack Reed (RI) and Thad Cochran (MS) introduced a word-for-word Senate companion bill today as well.

Librarian retention is at an all time low. A great number of veteran librarians have reached retirement age and librarians in training are being offered higher-salaried positions in the private sector. School and municipal libraries in low-income areas are left the greatest in need as a result of these growing, alarming trends.

When enacted, the LIBRARIAN Act will provide for Perkins loan cancellation for full-time librarians with a master's degree in library sciences that are employed in either public schools eligible for Title I assistance or public libraries in impoverished areas. Librarians could receive forgiveness for up to 100 percent of Perkins loans over five years.

"The librarian shortage threatens the free and affordable access to education, skills training and information the libraries provide to some of our nation's most vulnerable communities," Rep. Becerra said.

"There's a crisis looming over our nations libraries as an overwhelming number of librarians are set to retire. If we do not act now to replace them, libraries will lack the expertise they need to properly serve their communities. I understand the importance of qualified librarians - as a child, severe asthma prevented me from attending school, and I relied heavily on my local library as a source of information. We must ensure that future generations are not deprived of this resource. I have served as a board member for my city and county libraries, and I proudly support this legislation."

The American Library Association (ALA), the oldest and largest library association in the world, has given its full support for the LIBRARIAN Act.

"The LIBRARIAN Act of 2007 is a bold step forward for librarianship," ALA President Leslie Burger said. "It makes an education in the profession more easily available to people from all backgrounds and communities, making those neighborhood libraries that much stronger for having one of their own behind the desk. ALA proudly endorses this bill."

"The loan forgiveness provisions of this bill will be a valuable tool in attracting some of our brightest and best students to become tomorrow's educators in the communities where they are most needed," Rep. Becerra said.

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