Opinion: Cutting Alaska librarians and literacy programs is a betrayal of our kids

Recent education funding decisions in Alaska have set off alarm bells among those who believe our children and communities deserve better. The veto on increasing education funding has led several districts to announce cuts from library paraprofessionals and librarians, dismantling a vital network of positions across the state that once enriched school libraries, fostered literacy and cultivated a love of reading. These are not expendable line items on a budget; they are critical to our school communities.

Initiatives like the Alaska Reads Act have been emblematic of Alaska’s commitment to literacy. It is a bitter irony that drastic budget cuts are now undermining the very policies Alaska once celebrated. These cuts are a betrayal of the state’s stated priorities and a direct assault on the infrastructure that fosters learning. Removing librarians leaves our vulnerable students, particularly marginalized youth and struggling readers, with diminished support and dwindling opportunities to connect with books and ideas.

Adding to this crisis, federal budget cuts are exacerbating the damage. The Institute of Museum and Library Services has experienced significant reductions, which have severely affected its grants to states and the Native American Basic Grants programs. These cuts, in turn, will jeopardize statewide programs vital to education and library service in many rural communities. The Books by Mail program will end this June, and reductions to SLED databases are already underway. These resources act as lifelines, especially for communities where physical library services are limited. Students in these areas, who are already lacking a dedicated school librarian, will have even fewer resources to rely on, further widening the gap in educational equity.

The financial implications reach far beyond individual schools. Millions of public dollars have been invested in building and maintaining library facilities and curating collections that serve as gateways to knowledge and learning. Without the trained professionals to manage these resources, these investments will fall into disuse – a public embarrassment and a squandering of public funds.

Moreover, historical evidence and numerous studies support the notion that the presence of librarians correlates with improved academic outcomes. For decades, school librarians have been shown to boost literacy rates, increase graduation rates, and equip students with the critical research skills necessary for college and future careers. The gradual erosion of these roles, especially in rural districts and increasingly in the big five, suggests a misalignment of priorities, with a sacrifice of long-term intellectual growth for short-term fiscal savings.

In essence, Alaska now stands at a dangerous crossroads. The current trajectory not only undermines our educational infrastructure but also jeopardizes the state’s future economic prosperity by gradually eroding the quality of its human capital. The choices made today will echo for generations, leaving behind communities bereft of the nurturing, knowledgeable guidance that librarians provide. The path ahead is clear: these cutbacks represent a betrayal, one that deprives our youth of their most valuable resource — the promise of a well-read, well-informed future.

Deborah Rinio is a former school librarian in Fairbanks and currently volunteers as professional development coordinator for the Alaska Association of School Librarians.

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