[Libs-Or] History of School Library Staffing in Oregon: 1980 to 2013

[Jennifer Maurer]

Please pardon the cross-postings.

The State Librarian has tracked the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) licensed school librarians employed in Oregon public schools since the 1980-81 school year. Recently we also started tracking the number of FTE school library support staff. For figures and a chart related to the 33-year span, see the attached PDF. Here is brief snapshot:

School Year

No. of Schools

Library Support Staff (FTE)

Licensed Librarians (FTE)

No. of Students Per Licensed Librarian

1980-81

1,284

n/a

818

547

2011-12

1,253

697

203

2,763

2012-13

1,246

681

144

3,915

2013-14

1,239

688

129

4,396

Percent Change from 1980 to 2013

- 84.23%

+703.66%


The data comes from the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). As of the last few years, some of the figures were pulled from the Oregon Statewide Annual Report Card<http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=1821>. Note that the staffing chart on PDF page 8 of the 2013-14 report card<http://www.ode.state.or.us/data/annreportcard/rptcard2014.pdf>, and for some previous years, combines figures for school library licensed and support staff. When we pointed out that this could be confusing since there is a separate row for general support staff, ODE added a note to the bottom of the chart. ODE staff supplied me with the separate figures for licensed versus support staff.

This information could be helpful for anyone involved in school library advocacy efforts.

For a spot of good news, I’m hearing increased reports about school districts hiring library staff, including licensed librarians.

Questions? Please ask.

Thanks,
Jen

Links
Oregon Statewide Annual Report Card: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=1821
2013-14 Report Card: http://www.ode.state.or.us/data/annreportcard/rptcard2014.pdf

Jennifer Maurer
School Library Consultant
Oregon State Library
250 Winter Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
503.378.5011
jennifer.maurer at state.or.us<mailto:jennifer.maurer at state.or.us>

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