Dear CT Library Community,

It is with great relief that I report that the Wallingford CT Board of Education opted to keep our school libraries intact and not cut any positions from our department as they attempted to meet a budget shortfall. While this has been a stressful and upsetting experience, with many hours of the last week spent researching, rallying the community, and composing letters in support of maintaining a full-time certified librarian in every school, there was an amazing silver lining. That was without a doubt the support we felt from this extraordinary library community. On behalf of the Wallingford Public School Librarians, I would like to express our deepest gratitude for all you have done. The email messages of support, assistance with researching other districts in our DRG, letters sent to our Board of Education and Central Office administrators, and offers to attend the budget workshop meeting were truly overwhelming and each was truly appreciated. 

I would like to say a special thanks to Barbara Johnson, ever the champion of our school libraries, for bringing our plight to the national level. You are a gift to the library community and our students. The change you make at the local, state, and national levels is beyond compare. Thank you for ALL you do!

I have always felt extremely lucky and proud to be a part of the CASL/ AASL/ ALA community. The show of support in our district’s time of need surpassed anything I thought possible. 

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you, and please know we are here for each of you as well!

Sincerely,

Anne