Fig. 13: Reasons for School Librarians Not Returning Retiring 21.2% Retiring Sub-Total 21.2% Uncertain fiscal climate in 21.2% Job insecurity Fig. 13 displays reasons given by district threatens job stability respondents who are not returning to their positions for the next school year. School library position 12.9% Of the 78 school librarians not returning, eliminated Sub-Total 34% 34% identified job insecurity, i.e., the uncertain fiscal climate and the Career-related elimination of their jobs. In addition, Career change 7.1% Accepted another job 5.9% 14.2%% of school librarians who are not Resume education 1.2% returning identified career-related Sub-Total 14.2% reasons. This instability in the workforce disrupts the cumulative process of building Other. Please specify 30.6% Other strong school libraries staffed by experienced school librarians. Sub-Total 30.3% n= 521 Comments written by respondents [30.6%] referred to the uncertainty of their library positions. “Graduating with MLS and certification, [my] school does not have budget for licensed librarian so I am looking for a position elsewhere.” “I have not been given a contract to sign yet.” [2] “Recently licensed as school librarian, waiting on posting for school library position for FY16-17” “Contract is not being renewed by administrator.” [2] “If there is an open position in district I will be returning.” “Unsure about position availability.” “Unsure of position due to it changes yearly.” “I am a first year teacher and a realist.” These comments indicate that the budgeting process and/or insufficient funding to sustain current levels of employment from one year to job insecurity for early career school librarians. Comments were collected in April-May of the school year, indicating that staffing decisions are still pending during those spring months.
Fig. 13: Reasons for School Librarians Not Returning Retiring 21.2% Retiring Sub-Total 21.2% Uncertain fiscal climate in district threatens job stability School library position eliminated 21.2% 12.9% Job insecurity Sub-Total 34% Career change Accepted another job Resume education 7.1% 5.9% 1.2% Career-related Sub-Total 14.2% Other. Please specify 30.6% Other Sub-Total 30.3% n= 521 Fig. 13 displays reasons given by respondents who are not returning to their positions for the next school year. Of the 78 school librarians not returning, 34% identified job insecurity, i.e., the uncertain fiscal climate and the elimination of their jobs. In addition, 14.2%% of school librarians who are not returning identified career-related reasons. This instability in the workforce disrupts the cumulative process of building strong school libraries staffed by experienced school librarians. Comments written by respondents [30.6%] referred to the uncertainty of their library positions. “Graduating with MLS and certification, [my] school does not have budget for licensed librarian so I am looking for a position elsewhere.” “I have not been given a contract to sign yet.” [2] “Recently licensed as school librarian, waiting on posting for school library position for FY16-17” “Contract is not being renewed by administrator.” [2] “If there is an open position in district I will be returning.” “Unsure about position availability.” “Unsure of position due to it changes yearly.” “I am a first year teacher and a realist.” These comments indicate that the budgeting process and/or insufficient funding to sustain current levels of employment from one year to job insecurity for early career school librarians. Comments were collected in April-May of the school year, indicating that staffing decisions are still pending during those spring months.