New Jersey is rewriting how it funds schools. This is the moment.
School Librarians are cut locally, in a single budget vote, usually with very little notice. Whether they come back depends on Trenton. You can act in both places, and it starts with two signatures.
Act statewide
Goes to Trenton
The statewide petition
Urges Governor Sherrill, Commissioner of Education Dr. Lily Laux, the State Board of Education and the Legislature to include four things in the school funding overhaul: an Office of School Library Programs, School Library Teaching & Learning Program Standards, an earmarked School Library Program appropriation, and a School Library Shared Services Program with a State Aid category.
Featured action
Speak at a NJDOE public forum
The New Jersey Department of Education is holding regional forums on school funding. Speaking up in person is one of the most direct ways to get School Library Programs into the conversation while the funding formula is being revised.
What we are asking the Legislature for
Four asks in two parts: someone responsible for School Library Programs, and funding that actually reaches them.
Someone responsible for School Library Programs
Funding that actually reaches them
Act Statewide Overview
The highlights. The Act Statewide page has the full steps, templates and details.
The funding formula is being revised now. This is the moment a School Library Program can be written into what a thorough and efficient education includes.
- Sign the statewide petition
- Speak at a NJDOE public forum
- Write to your State Senator and Assembly members
- Write to the Governor and the Commissioner of Education
- Contact the State Board of Education
- Write an op-ed
Goes to your Board of Education and Superintendent
Your district’s petition
Signatures from inside the district are what carry weight with a Board of Education. Learn how to start a petition for your district.
We started with Montclair and are adding more districts as we go. If you have a petition you want to share for your district, let us know.
District Actions Overview
The highlights. The Act In Your District page has the full steps.
Where a parent has the most leverage. Montclair and Union Township have moved to eliminate School Librarians districtwide, and cuts are reaching historically well-resourced districts.
- First, find out where your district stands: staffing, shared positions, library hours and budget.
- Sign and share your district’s petition or start one
- Raise it with your PTA, PTO and SEPAC
- Email or speak to your Superintendent
- Speak at a Board of Education meeting, before the budget vote
- Write to your local paper
- Join the campaign in your district
The district and statewide petitions do different work and neither substitutes for the other. Sign both.
Everything you need to speak up
Templates
Public comment scripts and letters to a superintendent, board, legislator, the Governor and the Commissioner.
Handouts
The one-page parent handout and the legislative handout, ready to print.
Advocacy Booklet
The full case for School Library Programs in one place, to read, share or print.
Talking points
Responses to what you’re most likely to hear, from “it’s a nice to have” to “we can’t afford it.”
Join our team and become an advocate for School Librarians and Library Programs
The campaign needs community members in every county: collecting signatures, tracking district budgets, watching board agendas and turning people out at meetings. The Advocacy Booklet is the full case in one place, for anyone who wants to speak up for School Library Programs in their district or statewide.
Once you’ve signed, the most useful thing you can do is send this information to one other person in your district.
Every figure on this page is sourced at schoolsneedlibrarians.com/sources.