The latest data on libraries in Colorado public schools indicates that endorsed, professionally-trained school librarians are not available to students in all schools.
- More than 25 percent of the state’s public schools have no librarian at all.
- The shortage of school librarians is especially acute in elementary and combined schools. Almost 30 percent of elementary schools and almost 40 percent of combined schools (e.g., junior/senior highs, K-12 schools) report no librarian.
The numbers are even higher for schools with librarians on only a part-time basis (less than 20 or 30 hours per week).
- One-third of all schools are staffed with librarians less than 20 hours per week, and over 36 percent, less than 30 hours per week.
- Of elementary schools, more than 37 percent have librarians on staff less than 20 hours per week, and over 39 percent, less than 30 hours per week.
- The majority of combined schools have no or only part-time librarians. More than half report librarian staffing of less than 20 hours per week, and almost 58 percent, less than 30 hours per week.
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