CTU is calling for a full-time librarian in every Chicago school

CTU calls for full-time librarians in every school

Activists gathered outside Tilton Elementary School Tuesday morning to voice their demands. The Chicago Teachers Union said they want a full-time librarian in every school.

CHICAGO – The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is pushing for a librarian in every school in the district.

Activists gathered outside Tilton Primary School Tuesday morning to express their demands. The CTU said they want the librarians to work full-time as well.

They claimed the district employs only about 80 librarians, down from 450 in 2013. Activists say school librarians can help raise reading scores and provide other benefits for students.

Predominately black schools on Chicago’s south and west sides have been hit hardest, according to the union.

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) responded to the union’s query, saying the district is prioritizing resources to staff classrooms and schools to best support students.

CTU requires a librarian in every school in Chicago

The Chicago Teachers Union called on CPS CEO Pedro Martinez to centrally fund a librarian for every school in the district, regardless of zip code.

“The district appreciates the important role of a school librarian, as evidenced by the recently updated budget model that prioritizes staff positions for each school, including providing a position that can be filled by a librarian as a school team sees the best fit for them. needs,” the statement said.

CPS said it hired more than 2,600 teachers and more than 4,000 paraprofessionals between 2019 and 2024.