The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Editorials / Opinion


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published Saturday, December 29, 2007 at 12:00 AM

E-mail article     Print view

The Reader's View

The readers' due

School-library cutbacks are in the spotlight thanks to a recently created coalition of citizens and educators ["School-library backers try...

Special to The Times

Today: A good book is easy to find

School-library cutbacks are in the spotlight thanks to a recently created coalition of citizens and educators ["School-library backers try every trick in book," Times, Local News, Dec. 24]. This is a movement I was delighted to join. Libraries, technology and skilled librarians help kids become readers.

We have plenty of evidence that libraries work. Researchers note the multiple benefits, and details can be found at the coalition's Web site, www.fundourfuturewashington.org. But most important, libraries foster the development of readers.

Access to libraries has been shown to make a difference in student achievement, and perhaps more of a difference than any other factor, suggests researcher Jeff McQuillan. His analysis shows that access to books in libraries and at home is a strong predictor of NAEP scores. Professor emeritus Stephen Krashen notes that this makes sense: The presence of a credentialed librarian means better collections, better use of the library to support instruction and more reading for pleasure, all of which translate into superior literacy.

I am passionate about this issue because I am passionate about ensuring that all children are readers. As a first-grade teacher, I knew that getting all children to read was my most important task. As a leader of the National Council of Teachers of English, I knew that teachers across the country were striving to help students gain access to libraries and technology, and that in an era of decreasing funding, these teachers are increasingly frustrated. And as a citizen, I know that all students in the state deserve access to a school library that is well-resourced and staffed so that every child has the greatest opportunity to succeed.

I urge all citizens to support efforts to make school libraries a basic educational right in our state.

Kathryn Egawa of Seattle is a charter member of Washington Coalition for School Libraries and Information Technology.

Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company

Leonard Pitts Jr. / Syndicated columnist: A tragic clash of cultures

David Sirota / Syndicated columnist: Trade and globalization: We are what we buy and how we buy it

Ryan Blethen / Times editorial columnist: Referendum 71 shows Washington's strategy for marriage equality is working

Ellen Goodman / Syndicated columnist: There's no democracy for Afghanistan without respect for its women

Guest columnist: Cut the South Carolina jokes, Seattle. Get ready to compete

Video

Mourners gather at KeyArena for slain officer's memorial
Mourners gathered at KeyArena for the memorial service of Seattle police Officer Timothy Brenton on November 6, 2009.

Procession for slain SPD officer
Election Night: Approve R-71
Election Night: Reject R-71
Election Night: Joe Mallahan
Election Night: Mike McGinn
Election Night: Susan Hutchison
Election Night: Dow Constatine
Candlelight vigil for Officer Brenton
Flying Elephant on Aurora

Marketplace

nwautos

2009's most fuel-efficient sedansnew
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed