District librarian outlines 2024–27 library plan, warns state funding changes could cut support

Suzanne Dunbar, the district library media specialist, told the school board at a regular meeting that the district’s library plan adopted in May 2024 covers 2024–27 and is in compliance with state requirements.

Dunbar said the plan’s priorities are collaboration, promoting inquiry and creativity, curating print and digital resources aligned with district goals, and providing professional learning for teachers so library resources are used in instruction. She said funding, programming and “time and space” for makerspace and technology activities are central to the plan.

The update included staff assignments and programs: library assistants at all four schools (Katie Rios at the high school, Beth Sedum at the middle school, Renee Hofer at Edgerton and Kelly McShane at Hales Corners); high school and middle school Battle of the Books programs; pop-up book clubs; makerspace activities such as snap circuits, Makey Makey and student-programmable robots; blackout poetry and other library events; and a student-run interest in chess, puzzles and board games. Dunbar credited the Whitnall Booster Club with funding new flexible furniture at the high school.

Dunbar provided usage figures for the year: 57,790 physical-book circulations districtwide; 4,117 resource circulations; 26,708 ebook and audiobook uses through the district’s SOAR/OverDrive service; 2,797 books ordered districtwide; and 18,096 high-school library sign-ins, an increase of almost 6,000 from the prior year. She said the district will expand virtual-reality and makerspace offerings next year.

On funding, Dunbar said a recently passed state bill contains provisions that reduce funding available in the common school fund and that the organization she serves on has discussed contacting state representatives about the change. "There was something in this bill that was passed that is taking money away from the common school fund and, therefore, from school libraries," she said. She added the district does not yet know how any reduction would trickle down locally and that any impact could take several years to appear.

Board members asked about day-to-day operations in library spaces (for example, how games such as UNO fit into library use), and parents and board members praised makerspace exposure for younger students. Dunbar said staff will continue to encourage library engagement while monitoring funding changes and will update the board if specifics on state funding are clarified.

The presentation was informational; the board did not take formal action on the library plan during the meeting.

Dunbar concluded by inviting questions and noting the district will continue to align purchases and programming with the multi-year plan.