New School Book Borrowing Policy Has Some Mahwah Parents Upset

MAHWAH, NJ — Parents are upset over a recent decision that reduces the number of times students can check out books from school libraries in favor of more screen time.

Students visit their libraries once a week and used to be able to check out books every time they visited. Now, students at three elementary schools may only check books out once every other week. At Joyce Kilmer Elementary School, it is once every three weeks.

"We're looking at a really substantial number of fewer books in the hands of Mahwah children because of this policy," said Matthew Park, whose 7-year-old son attends Lenape Meadows Elementary School.

According to Park, book checkouts at Lenape Meadows are down 1,500 September to the end of October when compared to same time frame last year. He said school officials changed the book borrowing policy to allow the district to meet technology standards for students as outlined and required by the New Jersey Department of Education. Students now work with computers more at the libraries' media centers.

Leaders with three New Jersey library associations sent letters to Superintendent C. Lauren Schoen expressing their displeasure with the new policy.

"Libraries serve many constituencies with a vast range of services —but one of the most foundational is nurturing a love of reading that fuels curiosity, compassion, and a disposition toward lifelong learning," Loida Garcia-Febo, president of the American Library Association, said in one of the letters. "We urge you to reverse the rule limited checkout opportunities and restore full access to your school libraries."

In her letter, Patricia Tumulty, executive director of the New Jersey Library Association, called the new rule "extremely detrimental to the educational experience of the students."

The New Jersey Department of Education states that technology helps students to think critically and empowers them with the tools to "actively engage in solving meaningful problems in all areas of their lives."

Schoen said officials would discuss the change at a next Board of Education meeting Wednesday.

Michael DeTuro, the district's director of curriculum, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Park said the decision could affect parents' ability to foster a love of reading within their children, which is something that could have lasting repercussions.

"It's up to us as parents to fight for them, to fight for our kids," Park said.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

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