By Molly Raphael, Special to CNN
Editor’s Note: Molly Raphael is President of the American Library Association, the oldest and largest library association in the world. Its mission is to promote the highest quality library and information services and public access to information for all. This week, National Library Week, the ALA spotlights the valuable contributions of our nation’s libraries and library workers.
Anyone who has visited a library in the past few years will not be surprised to learn that demand for library services has increased significantly. With the growing need for access to digital and online information, including e-government services, continuing education resources and employment opportunities, libraries are essential in communities, large and small, throughout the country.
Last year, 1.5 billion library visitors checked out more than 2.4 billion items. Visit the “learning commons” of a college or university library, and you will find it full of students. The same is true for K-12 school libraries as students recognize the importance of learning how to become “information literate” as part of their basic education.
Yet, many question why we need libraries when we have instant access to information on the Internet.
As the president of the American Library Association (ALA), I often receive questions on the relevance of libraries when information can be obtained so easily in digital form. I believe questioning the need for libraries and the professionals who staff them is like questioning the need for the air that we breathe.
FULL POST
by Donna Krache, CNN
Atlanta (CNN) – Georgia’s Professional Standards Commission (PSC) has revoked the teaching permits of 67 more educators implicated in the Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal. Some of the teachers were barred from the classroom for two years; others had their certificates permanently revoked, according to WSB.
The PSC now has 100 cases left to review connected with the cheating allegations. It has made recommendations for 83 cases so far. The names of the teachers who have lost certification will not be made public until all appeals are complete.
Earlier this week, an APS tribunal voted to terminate an elementary school teacher.
Another has already been fired, one has retired and 24 have resigned, according to WSB.
Officials are under pressure to make decisions stemming from this case quickly, as the district may be forced to offer contracts to accused teachers who haven’t been let go by May 15. In addition, implicated teachers whose cases have not yet been addressed remain on the APS payroll, costing the district hundreds of thousands of dollars each month.
Read more on the latest developments in the Atlanta cheating scandal from WSB.