Evanston School District Considers Eliminating Middle School Librarians

Potential cuts come as district faces ongoing budget deficit

Apr. 18, 2026 at 7:26pm

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An abstract, impressionistic scene of students studying in a dimly lit library, with blurred bookshelves and desks in the background and soft, warm lighting creating a contemplative mood.The potential loss of middle school librarians in Evanston raises concerns about the future of educational resources in the district.Evanston Today

Evanston/Skokie School District 65 is considering eliminating all three middle school librarian positions as part of efforts to reduce a budget deficit. The libraries would remain open, but teachers would be expected to take on additional responsibilities, and the local public libraries may be asked to assist through a cooperative venture.

Why it matters

The potential cuts to middle school librarians come on the heels of the school board's recent rejection of a plan to eliminate all nine middle school counselor positions, highlighting the difficult budget decisions facing the district as it works to address an ongoing deficit.

The details

Under the proposal, the librarian positions at Haven, Chute, and Nichols Middle Schools would be eliminated, while the elementary school librarian positions would remain. The district's executive chief of communications, Melissa Messinger, stated that the district needs to 'reimagine what this looks like' as it seeks to balance the budget.

  • The potential library cuts may be discussed at the school board meeting on Monday, April 22, 2026.
  • Last week, the school board rejected a plan to eliminate all nine middle school counselor positions, saving $600,000 in the budget.

The players

Melissa Messinger

The executive chief of communications for Evanston/Skokie School District 65.

Evanston/Skokie School District 65

The public school district serving the cities of Evanston and Skokie, Illinois, which is facing an ongoing budget deficit.

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What they’re saying

“We need to re-imagine what this looks like.”

— Melissa Messinger, Executive Chief of Communications

What’s next

The school board will discuss the potential elimination of middle school librarian positions at their meeting on Monday, April 22, 2026.

The takeaway

The difficult budget decisions facing Evanston/Skokie School District 65, including the potential cuts to middle school librarians and the recent rejection of cuts to middle school counselors, highlight the ongoing challenges of maintaining essential educational resources in the face of budget deficits.