Jimmy Allen's blog reply to Maxine R Weisz:

Is her reply in fact the very expression of tension between the profession of teaching and the profession of librarianship? More often than not the school library closes at 3.30pm. Where if I may ask does Maxine R Weisz think the students will take their homework? Often
they take their homework to the public library, where the public librarian or children's librarian routinely offers successfully, the very bibliographic instruction and curriculum support that Maxine R Weisz and her colleagues believe you must also be a state certified teacher to perform. Particularly in areas where there are no school librarians, because of the national shortage of school librarians.

In the School Library Journal, June 2003 edition, page 15. It's possible to view the comments of Kathleen Lynch Media Specialist Fords Middle School Fords, NJ who says, "I was just reading your April Edition when I came across a letter from Jimmy Allen who suggested that just because you have a library degree from an ALA-accredited school you can run a school library. I really disagree. Not only do I disagree, his statements to support his position really anger me."

In the School Library Journal, June 2003 edition, page 15.
Deborah Lyman Teacher/librarian Genet Elementary School East Greenbush, NY says,

"Many of us have rigid class schedules, as opposed to flexible schedules, or a combination of both. In either case, we are writing lesson plans, managing classes, and disciplining students. All of these skills are better handled if we have a teaching background. Contrary to Mr. Allen's belief, the school library is a classroom."

Voice your opinion please. You don't have to be an expert. Everyone in the profession has a right, indeed a duty to express his or her opinion.

Remember there are never any right or wrong opinions. The important thing instead is to foster a meaningful dialog in the profession of librarianship at large, that will add value to the profession overall as a whole. So please comment today.

This Is A National Crisis

As such with a critical shortage of school librarians in 47 out of the 50 states in these United States, shouldn't the laws be changed therein allowing public MLS librarians, who are graduates of American Library Association accredited institutions to work in the school libraries. Isn't that a reasonable step that can immediately be taken to help ameliorate this national crisis in the shortage of school librarians? Don't we as library professionals have a fiduciary responsibility to foster this type of a reasonable discussion within our profession? Please voice your opinions. Please remember there are no right or wrong opinions here, and we should all be tolerant of differing opinions within the big tent of the profession of librarianship.