By Josh Kruger

– In a startling analysis for the Inquirer, Kristen Graham reports that over the course of 24 years, the Philadelphia School District has destroyed its librarian population by a stunning 94 percent. A thorough look at the exact nature of Philly’s schools crisis as it pertains to its libraries, Graham writes that “in 1991, there were 176 certified librarians in city schools. Now there are 11—for 218 schools.”

The fact that Philly’s ever-beleaguered school district is in dire straits isn’t surprising; after all, when news broke that the district was closing libraries in its flagship schools, Philadelphia Weekly‘s editor-in-chief Stephen Segal called the move a declaration “of war” and a “failure of basic civilization.” It’s not just a symbolic assault on knowledge, though: Having a paid librarian on staff in a school is a proven way to help students.

In fact, one comprehensive study conducted in Pennsylvania and reported by the School Library Journal revealed in 2013 that “reading and writing scores are better for students who have a full-time certified librarian than those who don’t” and that “students who are economically disadvantaged, black, Hispanic, and have IEPs (i.e., students with disabilities) benefit proportionally more than students generally.”

Basically, having staffed libraries in schools is critical to closing what are known as “achievement gaps.”

Other findings of that study include the fact that students “who are poor, minority, and have IEPs, but who have full-time librarians, are at least twice as likely to have ‘Advanced’ writing scores [on standardized tests] as their counterparts without full-time librarians.” In addition, “the benefits associated with larger staffing and collections and increased access to technology, databases, and to the library itself are proportionally greater for students who are poor, black, Hispanic, and disabled.”

After all, learning how to access and analyze information is critical to advancing knowledge. “People don’t know how to look at information,” Free Library of Philadelphia president Siobhan Reardon told Philadelphia Weekly late last year. “It’s why libraries are important in the first place.”

The failure—or refusal—of officials to address the schools crisis has led other public entities, like the Free Library, to step in, though. In that same interview, Reardon went on to say that the “education system is challenged across [the nation]” in urban America.

“I actually feel that we in the Philadelphia Free Library have a better relationship with the school district here [than in other cities],” Reardon insisted, “because the superintendent has been like, ‘I’m taking whatever help I can get to help these kids.’” Reardon indicated that the challenges faced by the district are multifaceted and that the public library system will do whatever it can to help pick up the slack.

Still, it’s depressing to know that the Philadelphia School District has lost nearly all of its librarians—and even more saddening to assess the likely damage to local students wrought by that decision.

And, no matter how much the public libraries want to helps the schools, there exist financial realities that make that civic obligation to schoolchildren all that more onerous. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, state legislators in Harrisburg recently cut 50 percent of public library funds to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

With that in mind, it’s a mystery just how much help those organizations can provide to the starved schools.

What’s certain, however, is that cutting paid librarians doesn’t do Philly schoolchildren any favors.

Source: http://phillynow.com/2015/02/02/report-the-school-district-has-cut-librarian-population-by-94-percent/

By The PA. AFL-CIO

– Due to the snowstorm that hit earlier this week, and in the interest of public safety, the Raise The Wage PA Kickoff that had been scheduled for Tuesday was postponed, and will now happen on Monday, February 9. Sign-in is at noon at the Grace Methodist Church at 216 State Street in Harrisburg, just a half block from the Capitol. An opening plenary session will be followed by workshops and then a march to the Capitol to visit legislators with materials to support raising the minimum wage in PA to at least $10.10 per hour. Visit The Raise The Wage PA Website to register, and to check out the full list of workshops and speakers, including Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Rick Bloomingdale.

The new date for the Raise The Wage event also coincides with the 2015 PA AFL-CIO Legislative conference and Lobby Day. It is our hope that these events complement each other and encourage even more activists to talk to their legislators about issues of economic fairness, workers rights, and an economy that works for all Pennsylvanians.

Lobby day information packets will be available beginning at 11:00am in the second floor lobby of the Harrisburg Hilton. Registration for the legislative conference does not begin until 4:00pm, which leaves plenty of time for lobbying and attending the Raise The Wage event before the conference begins. For more information on the 2015 Legislative Conference, go to: http://www.paaflcio.org/?tribe_events=pa-afl-cio-2015-legislative-conference

Source: http://www.paaflcio.org/?p=5745

one bike, one child, one family at a time.”

Variety, is a children’s charity that provides children with disabilities unique programs, experiences, and equipment, so they may live life to the fullest. Variety’s latest initiative, which began in November of 2012, is called “My Bike”, which has captured the hearts and support of both the families of disabled children and the many labor unions
By The PA. AFL-CIO

……and union members who support this valuable program.

“My Bike” has already provided 900 adaptive bikes to disabled children in Western Pennsylvania. The program also is providing bikes to eligible families in West Virginia. Right now, there are 250 adaptive bikes available on a first come, first serve basis to disabled children, who are eligible in the 26 County service area in Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

There is no greater joy for a young child, whom before was unable to participate due to their disability, to be able to experience the freedom and the fun of riding a bike with friends and family. That is what these adaptive and customized bikes provide to the child and their families. These bikes are also a joy to parents and siblings and they also help improve health and fitness.

The “My Bike” slogan is: “Changing the lives of children with disabilities…., one bike, one child, one family at a time.” The news about this wonderful program continues to spread, but more people and more unions are needed to fulfill the needs out there.

The head of Variety, Charlie LaVallee, is asking us to help him in raising public awareness and to help in identifying more disabled and eligible children throughout Variety’s 26 Counties in Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Additional co-sponsors and individual supporters are also needed. It would be great if we could provide these bicycles to every eligible child with disabilities in Pennsylvania.

You can read more about how these bikes have changed the lives of disabled children along with their family and friends by visiting the web-site at: www.varietypittsburgh.org. Applications can also be obtained by going to http://www.varietypittsburgh.org/MyBikeProgram.asp or by calling the Variety Main Office at 724-933-0460 (Western Pa. applicants) or the Variety West Virginia Office at 304-216-0203 (West Virginia applicants).

Please help us spread the word and support this program which is changing the lives of disabled children and their families. Through our unions we do great things.

Source: http://www.paaflcio.org/?p=5741

By Jared Shelly, Philadelphia Business Journal and HOPE YEN, The Associated Press

– The Democratic National Committee once again visited Philadelphia. DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and other arrived Wednesday morning.

Here’s more:

A person familiar with the convention bid says the DNC group was greeted by Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, two of the city’s biggest boosters.

Mayor Nutter lead a tour of the city’s convention venues and historical highlights, such as the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, to remind DNC officials why Philadelphia is the best choice in terms of logistics, hotel rooms, security and convention space, according to the person familiar with the plans.

Philadelphia boosters have emphasized their convention experience and space with the Wells Fargo Center and the recently expanded Philadelphia Convention Center. The city hosted the Republican National Convention in 2000. Officials say they’ll be able to handle the $55 million to $60 million price tag.

Late last week, Wasserman Schultz announced that the convention will take place the week of July 25, 2016.

Philadelphia, New York and Columbus, Ohio are the final three contenders to host the DNC convention.

Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/morning_roundup/2015/01/dnc-committee-visits-philadelphia-again-as.html

Additional Source: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20150128_ap_44f4ff021b7e4357a02c478d49c565ac.html

1/28 – Today’s Featured Guests on Today In PhillyLabor Radio are City Councilman Bill Greenlee, Laura Wentz, President Philly CLUW,
Marianne Bellesorte, PathWays PA and the Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces, Kathy Black, AFSCME DC 47 & Treasurer Philly CLUW and Diane Mohney, PFT 3, Retired.

Featured Topics – Paid Sick Days and Pregnant Workers Act.

Tune in to WWDB 860 AM (or listen online at http://wwdbam.com/streamer/) from Noon to 2pm and See What All The Talk Is About!