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The Taos News

Taos schools to revive library program

TAOS — Come spring, the Taos Municipal Schools District will begin developing a plan to revive its struggling library program, which has just one licensed librarian in the district between six campuses.

John Pahls, Taos Municipal Schools’ sole licensed librarian, is stationed at the high school’s library, but will be transitioning into a new role as district librarian to oversee all campuses’ library programs. The district is also considering hiring a library media aide to support him, according to Taos Municipal Schools Superintendent Dr. Antonio Layton.

“What we’re trying to do is make sure there’s equity at all of the library programs across the district,” Layton said. “Part of [Pahls’] role will be to ensure that we have the structures, the lessons, and in part reviving our library programs on all campuses.”

In the past, there were two other licensed librarians employed in the district, but both left to pursue other goals. As of April, Arroyos del Norte Elementary and Enos Garcia Elementary’s libraries were staffed with educational assistants, while volunteers managed Ranchos Elementary School’s library.

“There’s a couple of campuses where we have an aide who works part-time to help with the library, for example, but we also have some campuses where we don’t have anybody who is really able to ensure the library program is functioning,” Layton said. “With the district librarian, the hope is we will have him come by the different campuses, get the structure in place for lessons, schedule for teachers to come in and perhaps bring in some volunteer reading programs.”

Details will be further discussed and developed in the spring, but part of the library program’s overhaul will include a volunteer reading program, consistent hours and potentially the incorporation of reading-related technology like Kindle books.

Dr. Layton has previously worked in districts with both robust and limited resources. He observed districts with larger library programs correlated to students achieving better proficiency scores, especially in reading.

“I’ve been in districts as large as 30,000 students and as small as 600,” Layton said. “We take different ideas, and what I’ve seen in robust programs is where teachers come in scheduled to the library to go over reading materials or their scheduled classes; or to learn about the library and how to be able to check out books or for research.”

Studies do show a positive correlation between well-staffed school libraries and higher proficiency scores. The American Library Association reports at least 21 state studies have reached the conclusion libraries with a licensed librarian, up-to-date reading materials and collaboration with teachers boost students’ test scores and support lifelong learning.

Reading proficiency among U.S. students is also on the decline. According to the National Assessment of Education Progress, reading scores for U.S. students in 2023 were markedly lower than in 2020, with decreases present across all performance levels. The average reading score for 9-year-olds in 2022 was 7 points higher than in 1971, but 5 points lower than in 2020.

Children’s reading habits have also changed. In 2020, the National Assessment of Education Progress found that just 42% of 9-year-olds and 17% of 13-year-olds reported reading for fun almost daily — the lowest rates since 1984. Meanwhile, children who reported never or hardly ever reading for fun increased to 16 percent for 9-year-olds and 29 percent for 13-year-olds.

Layton said of the library program’s revitalization, “That way, the library program can continue regardless of what day of the week it is. That way, our kids can go into the libraries ready to learn how to read and supplement not only the reading, but also the mathematics.”