Many L.A. Unified School Libraries, Lacking Staff, are Forced to Shut
Hands raised
Raising their hands, Alexa Martinez, 7, back row, left; Jennifer Hernandez, 6; Helen Hernandez, 7; and Noe Ortiz, 6, are eager to answer a question from library aide Cindy Ramirez after reading the book “Abe Lincoln’s Hat” at San Pedro Elementary School in Los Angeles. (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times /February 13, 2014)
Raising their hands, Alexa Martinez, 7, back row, left; Jennifer Hernandez, 6; Helen Hernandez, 7; and Noe Ortiz, 6, are eager to answer a question from library aide Cindy Ramirez after reading the book “Abe Lincoln’s Hat” at San Pedro Elementary School in Los Angeles. (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times /February 13, 2014)
We want our children to read, to receive an education. We want them to dream and find great inspiration. We want our young to aspire and achieve. To show our children that we believe in their strength and abilities, that we want them to succeed, we take away the tools that might help them. Libraries full of books are locked shut and permanently closed. Trained staff was eliminated long before this action. Why? Because we have priorities. Forsake our dreams and desert our children. An investment in quality education is just too costly!
By Teresa Watanabe | Originally Published at Los Angeles Times. February 23, 2014, 4:39 p.m.In the sun-filled space at the Roy Romer Middle School library, thousands of books invite students to
