In parents' book, library cuts go too far

Each day hundreds of students use the library; teachers collaborate with her and her two assistants.

Educators call it a shining example of a school library that works.

But Gallinatti knows that hers is an endangered species.

"It's disheartening. Every school year, there's a new school district that is making cuts," Gallinatti said.

To stem the loss, the parent group in Spokane hopes to change the way schools value and pay for librarians. In general, the group wants the education code to designate school librarians an essential part of every child's basic education. Local school districts, then, would have fewer options when it came to making cuts.

Studies across 19 states tie healthy school libraries to student performance, said Marianne Hunter, past president of the Washington Library Assn. She credits the "fired-up" parents for the issue's traction in the state.

Layera Brunkan and McBurney, who started the petition drive, both say they feel passionately about the issue. They are active on behalf of their children -- each has two -- and as role models for them.

But more pressingly, they believe it is a unique time to stand for a worthwhile cause -- to get school librarians off the endangered list.