Podcast Summary: School Librarians United with Amy Hermon

Episode 352: "Librarians Equal Literacy"

February 6, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the critical advocacy work of the "Librarians Equal Literacy" team, a parent-led coalition fighting to restore and expand access to certified school librarians in New York City public schools. Host Amy Hermon welcomes advocates Jenny Fox, Rachel Cohen, and Marissa Migdal for an in-depth discussion about the New York City school librarian crisis, their grassroots campaign, the root causes of librarian loss, the equity implications, and strategies for building effective advocacy networks.

Guests Introductions & Perspectives

[02:14] Jenny Fox

• Parent of two in NYC public schools: son has a librarian, daughter does not.
• Children’s book author and former editor.
• Brings publishing expertise and passion for equitable library access.

[03:03] Rachel Cohen

• Parent of a second grader; family legacy of librarians.
• Longtime campaigner and strategist with labor/progressive movements.
• Passionate about community equity and advocacy.

[03:57] Marissa Migdal

• Parent of two in elementary school.
• Completing a Master’s in Library Science at Queens College; working part-time as a school librarian via grant funding (not DOE-funded).
• Experience demonstrates both the challenges and the impact of “band aid” solutions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Librarian Crisis in NYC Schools

Inception & Evolution of Librarians Equal Literacy

• Originated in Fall 2021 after loss of a part-time librarian funded by PTA ([06:07]).
• Started grassroots efforts: postcard campaigns from students, rallies, lobbying city council, and strategic media outreach.
• Discovered only 260–270 librarians for over 1,600 schools—just 15% coverage, including many mandated to have librarians by law ([10:30], [12:47], [14:35]).

Quote:
“We can’t fix a problem unless we admit there’s a problem and the scope and size of the problem.” – Jenny Fox [10:50]

Systemic Causes & Legal Mandates

• Shrinkage from 90% librarian coverage 20 years ago to ~15% today ([14:35]).
• NY State law mandates secondary schools have librarians, but this is an unfunded mandate—no budget for staffing ([17:02]).
• Traditionally, library funding falls to principal discretion; those under budget strain often cut librarian roles ([27:59]).

Quote:
“Unfortunately, it is an unfunded mandate. ... It is not the room full of books that provides all of the amazing benefits, it is the qualified, certified … librarians who are providing all those benefits.” – Rachel Cohen [17:02]

Band-Aid Solutions & Equity Issues

• Wealthier schools’ PTAs sometimes fund librarians, leaving high-poverty schools behind ([30:08], [31:10]).
• Parent volunteers and book committees can fill gaps, but this exacerbates inequity ([30:49]).
• Classroom book collections, while helpful, are no substitute for a professional librarian and diversified, curated resources ([18:43], [23:43]).
• Loss of librarians disproportionately impacts vulnerable groups: LGBTQ students, English learners, those living in poverty ([27:59], [29:53]).

Quote:
“It’s definitely also an equity issue … more than 80% of the schools with poverty rates higher than 75% did not have a librarian on staff.” – Jenny Fox [29:53]

The Unique Value of School Librarians

• Librarians teach lessons, build media literacy, foster research skills, and create judgment-free spaces for reading choice ([18:43]).
• Librarians curate collections intentionally, offering representation and peer-driven discovery (e.g., student book reviews) ([21:19]).

Quote:
“In the library, you can get whatever you want.” – Jenny Fox [23:03]

Building & Sustaining Parent Advocacy

Grassroots Organizing

• Team’s advocacy model: bring together parents, students, librarians, other community organizations, and local politicians ([38:28]).
• Organized rallies, testimonials at hearings (including children testifying at City Hall), and partnerships with groups like NYCLU, UFT, Urban Librarians Unite, Alliance for Quality Education ([38:28]).

Quote:
“This is not like, let’s just get some money here and fix our little problem. ... This problem is for everyone.” – Rachel Cohen [38:43]

Key Tactical Innovations

• Student Postcard Campaigns: Over 400 postcards from kids to DOE and legislators; downloadable illustrated campaigns created by children’s book illustrators ([34:58]).

Quote:
“We want to make it easy for people. … These are things you can do fairly easily to get involved, and get the kids involved.” – Jenny Fox [36:31]

• Website as Advocacy Hub: Provides downloadable resources, campaign messaging, news updates, and templates for replicability ([33:15], [48:03]).

Political Landscape & Looking Forward

Policy and Leadership Changes

• Recent local legislation (the “Librarians Count” bill) mandates DOE to report library staffing and provide accountability ([11:00], [16:15]).
• In December 2025, DOE officially admitted the librarian shortfall for the first time ([12:04]).
• New political context: Mayor Zoran Mamdani, a graduate of NYC public schools, brings renewed hope for change ([46:14], [49:08]).
• The team hopes for a systemic plan, accurate data, and funding pipeline solutions under new city leadership ([49:08]).

Goals for 2026 and Beyond

• Short-term: Achieve accurate reporting and fuller transparency about library staffing/access ([49:08]).
• Medium/Long-term: Full restoration—a certified librarian in every NYC public school, end patchwork, inequitable “solutions” ([49:08]).
• Want to build statewide coalitions for increased funding.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “If we aren’t even offering children a school library, that is a different form of banning books—limiting books and representation. So, if there’s no library at all, that’s also not OK.” – Jenny Fox [13:08]
• “Relying on teachers to create that classroom collection to support all their students' reading needs is a burden. ... It is not a solution at all.” – Amy Hermon [25:20]
• “Parents are just willing to fight for the bare minimum. ... And then we limit access to the beacon of reading choice, which is school libraries.” – Marissa Migdal [19:20]
• “Many of the specialized schools have even more than one librarian, while other schools have zero. So there are definite inequities in how these schools are resourced.” – Jenny Fox [54:44]
• “If you talk to private school parents in the city, their schools have librarians ... You would not see in private school in NYC a school without at least one librarian. For rich people, they are not a needless luxury.” – Rachel Cohen [55:38]
• “For anybody who grew up in New York City ... if they went to public school, they had a librarian in their school... this generation of kids has lost them.” – Rachel Cohen [57:11]

Advocacy Action Steps for Listeners

How to Support Librarians Equal Literacy

• Follow on Instagram: @librarians=literacy ([58:46])
• Join the Mailing List: librariansequaliteracy.org ([58:46])
• Email for information/solidarity: librariansequaliteracymail.com ([58:46])
• Use and share their downloadable advocacy resources: signs, postcards, campaign templates.
• Replicate advocacy efforts locally; leverage their website as a toolkit ([33:15], [48:03]).

Final Thoughts

The episode is a candid and motivating look inside one of the nation’s most urgent education equity struggles—all told by articulate, passionate advocates doing the work from the ground up. The advocacy model and resources discussed are broadly relevant; this campaign is both a warning and a template for school library defenders everywhere.

“We started at one school, but have built this amazing grassroots group … fighting for all kids. … In the moment we’re in, fighting for school librarians is political—and we don’t shy away from that.” – Rachel Cohen [38:43]

For full links, advocacy materials, and to join the movement, visit: librariansequaliteracy.org