Letters: The value of school libraries

GROWING up in Philadelphia, schools had well-stocked libraries staffed by knowledgeable librarians. They taught me how to find books, research papers and write bibliographies. They helped me develop a love of reading and equipped me with the tools I needed to do well in college.

Good school libraries now offer youngsters more resources than I could have imagined. They provide youngsters with unparalleled access to books, music, films, technology and programming. For many children in Philadelphia, the computer in their school library is their portal to information and the world outside their neighborhoods.

Yet when cuts are made, it seems school and city libraries get the ax. Nowhere is this more evident than in Philadelphia, where 77 librarians serve a fraction of the district's 275 schools and 157,000 students.

In reality, when resources are tight, one of the best investments we can make is in a librarian and a well-stocked library in every school. Research shows an indisputable link between academic achievement and access to school libraries. Regardless of a community's income or education level, studies show that students perform substantially better in schools with libraries staffed by certified librarians.

Investing in well-stocked libraries staffed by professional librarians in every Philadelphia school would pay enormous dividends to students and to the community. Perhaps the School District should steal a page from Councilman Bill Green's book, and develop a dedicated, central funding stream to support them.

Jerry T. Jordan, President

Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

That's Gross

I always enjoy Dan Gross' "Dan About Town" column. But on March 17, he wrote that Lesley Van Arsdall was "off the market." Shocking use of verbiage. The talented and gorgeous Ms. Van Arsdall, after all, is hardly a side of beef.

M.A. Vare, Philadelphia