“A huge component of what I do in the school library is that I’m an instructional partner,” Lambert said. “I work with teachers on a regular basis on my campus to collaborate and co-teach lessons, activities and projects. There’s a lot a certified school librarian can bring to the table to impact student achievement in particular. I am always advocating for schools and districts to employ certified school librarians because of that expertise they bring in.”

The school librarians association supports staffing libraries with librarians and aides that work together to serve the school, Lambert said. There are no laws that dictate who can work in the library, but state library standards recommend having a certified school librarian.

Some library aides are making efforts to reach students in the way certified librarians would. Dana Telep, library aide at Hillcrest Elementary School in Waco, said students “absolutely benefit” from having certified school librarians because they have an understanding of how to find information and work with students.

While Telep is not a certified librarian, she holds a master’s degree in English that helps her understand what students need. Library aides in Waco ISD only need to have completed an associate’s degree or two years of study, according to a job description.