Edmonds Librarians Crisis Meeting

As most people were running out the building to head on spring break, I headed to Westgate Elementary for an important meeting. Mid-week, 6 librarians learned that their positions would be only half-time next year due to proposed district budget cuts. Most of the librarians from the district delayed their get-away plans to learn about what had happened, discuss strategy, and make plans.
We learned that the 6 smallest elementary schools in FTE were the one affected (Edmonds, Evergreen, Mountlake Terrace, Sherwood, Westgate, & Woodway). It was generally agreed that if the district makes these cuts this year, more will follow next year. We also learned that seniority might affect placement next year of these librarians, so other school might have a change in librarians.
The mood was shock and sadness because we have felt supported for so long (Edmonds has had full-time librarians at every school since 1979). There was also a sense of everyone coming together to see if we can change this proposal.
A blog has been set up and people began working on gathering data/information, organizing, and getting the word out to the community. Everyone agreed to talk to their principals about this issue. We also set up a yahoo group to keep communications off of the district email resources.
Although it seems like this is a pretty done deal, I think we're going to try our best because if we don't we'll be on a slippery slope