Library services report: librarian–teacher collaboration up, but physical checkouts decline

Emma McDonald presented the district library services report Aug. 10, describing growth in collaborative instruction, family engagement and STEM/STEAM activities while flagging a concerning decline in physical book checkouts and library visits.

McDonald said the district has 52 certified campus librarians and reported a 15% increase in teacher collaborations and a 63% increase in a 'little readers' family engagement program. Librarians logged over 4,000 lessons and implemented STEM, hydroponics and coding activities, but she warned that book checkouts and visits declined — a trend she attributed to a mix of lower enrollment, limits on instructional minutes and greater use of digital resources. She also cited an ongoing workload tied to SB13 compliance as a continuing challenge for library staff.