Fallbrook Street library to open in January

In January, students at Fallbrook Street School will finally be able to use their new 1,920-square-foot library when it officially opens its doors. Although planned to welcome students at the beginning of the school year in September, a series of setbacks prevented the opening of the long-awaited facility.

At double the size of the former library, the new building is located at the back of the Fallbrook Street School campus and is visible from neither Mission Road nor Fallbrook Street. It is separate from the new Childhood Development Center under construction on the corner of Mission and Fallbrook.

Initially, according to school Principal Diane McClelland, there were some issues with the new building that prevented moving in on schedule. Then staffing became a problem. The librarian staff position is not ‘certificated,’ but ‘classified,’ to

use district jargon, and “we did have a library tech all last year, but she resigned just as school started,” McClelland said. Finding candidates for the job began at once, but “sometimes finding the right qualified candidate can be a lengthy process,” said Brian Jacobs, director of educational services for the district. Neither permanent teachers nor substitute teachers staff the library. Library technicians are trained to manage the process of a library, conduct its educational programs and interface with teachers to support educational curriculum. Jacobs says while “kids see the library as a place they know they’ll find books that meet their interests and readability,” it should also be a place to deepen education.

Finding a qualified library technician was just one of the hurdles. Then the sticking point became salary. McClelland has been working with the district to stay within budget, because there is a pay range involved in the position. Since hiring for the position was opened to the outside as well as district employees, however, “…if a senior employee interviewed and was hired, their current pay and benefit package might be higher than what the school had budgeted for the 06-07 school year,” McClelland said. Once she received district support to accommodate possible budget changes, interviews began. She expects to have the library staffed by the time students return to class in January. McClelland has been keeping parents apprised of progress on the library at PTA meetings.

The Fallbrook Street School library is one of three recently completed by the district. New libraries at Maie Ellis, a K through third grade school in Fallbrook, and the K through sixth grade Mary Fay Pendleton School at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton are open.