Lantern Room Reflections

ALA Elections

2010-03-22T20:36:00.005-04:00

For those of you who are ALA members you have just received or will be receiving shortly your ballot for the ALA election. As an incoming ALA Executive Board member it is inappropriate for me to endorse any candidate. However, I would ask that you be an informed voter and read the biographies, statements, newsletter and journal articles of the candidates and then vote. Visit both candidates web sites and all the links: http://mollyraphael.org/ and http://www.skj4ala.com/ I urge you to vote for the person that can not just lead ALA - but who will move ALA forward. I care deeply about ALA and its future which is the future of librarianship. ALA is at a critical point and we need someone at the President's level with the understanding of ALA's budget, governance and policies to maintain a strong professional organization. My choice for ALA President, I will be glad to discuss with you on a personal basis. This is a critical decision and not one I have made lightly. I am not voting by type of library, region of the country or any other such reason. I am voting for the candidate that can and will do the best job, for all of us! Please join me in doing so! Thank you.

Enough is Enough!

2010-02-10T19:37:00.006-05:00

It started snowing again late yesterday evening and snowed all night, all day and is still snowing now. During the day the winds reached 40-50 MPH and there were whiteout conditions. I hadn't seen whiteout conditions like that since I was skiing at Araphoe Basin in Summit County, Colorado! The temperature was around 20 degrees with a wind chill of 2 - 4 degrees. The snow blew and swirled and at times the winds were fierce blowing the dogwood tree into the side of the house constantly. We are supposed to get another 12-15" but I haven't been outside to measure yet! We officially reched a record of the most snowfall in a winter in Washington DC. - EVER!. Schools are closed for the remainder of the week and central offices are closed today and Thursday. They will let us know by 4:00 tomorrow if central offices are open Friday. It's amazing how much time I have had - time to catch up - time to do those things I keep putting off. But what did I do? Those things I don't have time for like just relaxing, cooking and baking. I also spent a lot of time on the Internet - just surfing - and of course Face Book. Made four dozen chocolate chip cookies today - for whomever comes by (and cleans off my walks and car). My neighbor came by earlier today to borrow my shovel as they broke theirs today. They said they would be back tomorrow to clean off my walks and car! Guess I know who will be eating the cookies! Have really enjoyed the peaceful quiet of the snow - but the hectic schedule will return!

More Snow Still!

2010-02-09T15:46:00.001-05:00

With at least two feet of snow schools were closed on Monday as was Central offices. Finally ventured out for some crawfish and other fixings for Crawfish Stew! The stores were out of everything and people were everywhere! Schools were closed on Tuesday also, but Central offices were open with liberal leave in effect. I took liberal leave as I had a doctors appointment and needed to get some supplies to an elderly friend before snow hit again! I reported to the office to be sure everything was OK - then came home. More snow is predicted to arrive this afternoon and snow all day tomorrow. We are due to get another 12-15". This is really a lot for this area. What could I do but make the stew and enjoy!

Who Dat? Dat the Saints!!!

2010-02-08T10:35:00.000-05:00

What a great game and a great win for a great city! The Saints were remarkable this year and rallied to win - even though they started ten points down. A risky opening play of the second half - a great interception and a two point conversion made for a really exciting game. The first ever trip to the Super Bowl for the Saints - and just a few years ago their fans were wearing bags on their heads and calling them The Aint's! So for a die hard Redskin fan - this gives me hope - it can be done! Wouldn't it be great to be on Bourbon Street right now - or at the parade on Tuesday! Hmmm - time to make some Crawfish Stew!

Digging Out - Senior Citizen Style!

2010-02-07T16:26:00.000-05:00

Once again snow was predicted and most of Friday's meetings were canceled. Delivered a few things to Charles - if the snow came I wasn't sure when I would get back! It started snowing late Friday afternoon - and continued all night and all day Saturday. By Sunday I had at least 24" and could not get out the front door and the snow was packed against the back sliding door. All day the forecast kept saying - be sure your neighbors, especially senior citizens are safe and can get out. Well, I have little strength to shovel more than a few shovels of snow - and besides the condo cleans the sidewalks. So I just waited. When they do clear the sidewalks - I can get to the car and probably clean the snow off the car. I waited and waited. Late afternoon, the two neighbor high school girls who helped me in the December snow storm knocked on my door and wanted to know if I wanted them to clean off my sidewalk and car! In this instance I did not mind being a senior citizen! The girls worked hard and did an amazing job! Even spread salt after they shoveled! It's great to have such caring neighbors!

Snow and More Snow

2010-02-03T09:28:00.001-05:00

Well, I guess we are due as we have had very light winters the last several years - but we seem to be making up for it this year. In December we had a record 18-20" which officially registered as the seventh largest storm in the Washington area. Then last Saturday we ended up with ten inches. That snow was light and rather easy to get off the car. The condo shoveled sidewalks - so it wasn't all that bad. Put on a crock pot of beef stew and just enjoyed it. Then they announced that we would get another 3-4" last night. Schools were closed but I had a delay - but still had to go in. Not too bad - just a nuisance! They say more is on the way this weekend!

ALA Midwinter in Boston

2010-01-19T17:15:00.003-05:00

Well, this year in Boston was not nearly as cold as the last time ALA was in Boston! The schedule was shortened by a day, which made it very compressed. It was good to cut a day off, but it really did seem like things were jammed together. I was very busy with Council and BARC, along with facilitating the AASL candidates forum as Chair of the Nominating Committee.

But I really think I spent every spare moment preparing for my speech before the Council for the ALA Executive Board. I was running against three excellent candidates and then another was nominated from the floor. I was beginning to loose self-confidence! Maybe it was time to quit and let others do the work of ALA? I had lost the ALA Presidential election in 2008 - I lost the Executive Board election in 2009 - and now if I lost this that would be three in a row - and obviously someone was trying to tell me something - three strikes - and you're out. In my own defense, I did not do a good job last year - I just delivered the speech . I was not feeling well and that made all the difference. But here I was given another chance - and I rallied in the opportunity.

When I was notified in October that the Committee on Committees had nominated me again - I was shocked. I had no indication that I would be nominated. Finally, Monday arrived and speeches were after Council II So when I could, I reviewed my speech. At one point, a friend and fellow Councilor sitting next to me said "I don't care what you say - I'm going to vote for you!' That restored some self confidence! The speeches were all really good - and I felt it was a toss-up. Voted and waited - until around 8:00 for the results.

When Lois Ann Gregory called I could not believe that I was elected! Two candidates were elected - myself and Kevin Reynolds from Tennessee. Thank you to everyone who put their confidence in me! I am still so excited and looking forward to my new role in ALA with renewed energy to do the work of ALA. I've got time before my flight, so I'm going to observe the Executive Board in action. The rest of conference is a blur at the moment.

New Year's Resolutions

2010-01-07T17:11:00.002-05:00

Obviously, I am one who helps make up the large percentage of the national average that does not keep their New Year's Resolutions - as proof from my last entry in January 2009 where I resolved to write on my blog - well, I didn't - but with this I hope to do better this year! Lets see how I do!

This time last year

2009-03-31T21:44:00.002-04:00

This time last year I was in the middle of a very active campaign to be elected President of the American Library Association. I was flying around the country going to conferences, writing articles and fulling speaking engagements, while mailing brochures out to all the ALA Affiliates. Little did I know how sick I really was nor could I have imagined what would take place in the coming year. I think about this now as I just finished voting for this years' candidates for ALA President and hope that they are taking care of themselves and will remain healthy. Yes, I was disappointed at the loss as recorded on my Blog last May -- but I do believe that things happen for a reason -- just as it did this time. There is no telling what stage my health would be in had I kept pushing. But for now, I feel good, and can't believe I have CKD, even though my kidneys are only functioning at 18%. Good luck to everyone running for an ALA Office -- and if you haven't voted -- please vote for Roberta Stevens for ALA President

Happy New Year!!!

2009-01-11T21:48:00.002-05:00

To all of you reading this I wish you a very Happy New Year and the best of everything to you as the year progresses. It has been far too long since I have been on my blog. But my New Year's resolution is to be more attentive to posting. It seems that the last six months have been filled with one challenge or another that left little time to post -- even though the process would have probably helped me through several incidents. Those of you that received my Christmas letter will better understand - I may decide to post that or just do a few updates. Either way - this is a new year to be greatful for! Enjoy and Celebrate!

Virtual Library Legislative Day!

2008-07-01T11:43:00.004-04:00

Today is Virtual Library Day on the Hill! Go to www.capwiz.com/ala to write your Members of Congress about the importance of libraries. All of us at ALA conference in Anaheim have the opportunity to participate and I hope all of you will -- or have and at the break in Council today, I hope ALL Councilors will write their members of Congress.
We need librarians and library supporters from across the country to call attention to the value of today’s libraries, as well as the issues the library community is facing. This is especially important in an election year, as many of our nation’s legislators will be looking to hear from their constituents. This is our chance to make the library voice heard!
Virtual Library Day on the Hill is an amazing opportunity to showcase the value and importance of libraries to Members of Congress and let them know how important federal funding is to our nation’s libraries.

Click on the link above to go to
ALA's Legislative Action Center
See what library legislation is hot
Send a letter or fax to Congress
U.S. Capitol switchboard 202-225-3121

Thank you for your support of ALL libraries -- especially school libraries!

Another Health Update

2008-06-26T08:22:00.000-04:00

The last two blood tests have remained the same which is encouraging, but I still have kidneys only functioning at 20-25%. I am on my way to annual conference and know it will be difficult with hotel food, etc., but I will do it! Not only do I have to virtually eliminate all sodium from my diet -- but potassium and phosphors as well. It is just a matter of making my kidneys work overtime to eliminate these minerals from my body. So if I put fewer of those minerals in -- the less they have to work to do their job and the longer they might continue working. Anybody outthere have an extra kidney to spare?

The Devastation Continues

2008-06-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

As if the original two position eliminations wasn't bad enough -- or the next eleven wasn't bad enough - I now find that one more key employee is being transferred. Transferred??? Why you ask? There is no answer. That leaves nine employees to do what 23 were doing -- which originally 29 were doing. Through the last five years we have worked smarter and scaled down services and looked at new ways to do things. We had done all we could and staff had taken on as many new responsibilities as they could -- which of course increased their work time and hours but without additional help or compensation. And this is how dedication is rewarded? In addition to the 60% loss of staff we now can talk about the actual budget. The funding for the integrated library system was slightly reduced as was the database budget, but that we will be able to survive. But then when you add all the other budget line items, like equipment repair, new equipment, materials of instruction, professional library resources, professional development, etc., my budget was cut 92% -- no typo here -- 92% or in other words, I have 8% of the budget I had in previous years. Can this be real? Yes, it is! Once again the message is clear -- that libraries and the instructional value they add and their contribution to student achievement is not valued.

When It Rains It POURS!!!!

2008-06-18T23:20:00.007-04:00

Feeling very good, I went to work this morning to an office of six departments employing 24 wonderful staff members. This afternoon when I left, it was raining, I felt miserable and so helpless as I left a devastated office where on July 15 there will only be 11 staff members. My county is experiencing the same financial shortfall that is happening all over the country and to balance the budget my office was reduced by more than half. The positions have been eliminated and just a month ago during the first round of cuts I lost two staff members. Total of 13 eliminated with only 11 left. To begin with it seems unfair and lopsided for my department to take a hit of over 15% of the cuts that central office received. Secondly, it sends a message loud and clear -- the library media program is not valued. And that is the very reason I came to this county nine years ago -- because they valued the library program and saw that the program was an integral part of the instructional process and that we made a difference in student achievement. Doesn't seem to be the case any longer!
All operations of Library Media Services were together in my department. My office which housed the instructional component, the Professional Library, Review and Evaluation Center, The Production Center, Acquisitions, and Technology for the Integrated Library system. All operations need to continue, but how one person, a few with a secretary, can continue to fulfill the responsibilities I have not figured out yet. Who will do them if we can't? Will they get done? Efficiently? Effectively? There is no doubt in my mind that those who made the cuts do not know what we do -- or do not understand what we do -- or do not want to understand what we do -- or do not care what we do -- or perhaps all of the above.
I feel the need to head to The Outer Banks to sort things out. The rain only made the gloom worse - I wanted to run an errand, but with the rain and traffic and my mood, I just turn around and headed home. But as I was driving home - I saw a beautiful full rainbow - and the rainbow when I first saw it ended right at my office building. I hope that was an omen that all the staff affected, who in my mind are wonderful valued employees will find that rainbow with a "pot of gold" waiting for them. There is a reason for everything -- I really do believe that -- but in this instance I haven't accepted this devastating blow!
Score: 13 for them - 0 for school libraries and our students!

Health Update

2008-06-17T21:00:00.001-04:00

My primary care physician adjusted my medication in the three weeks I was waiting to see the specialist and I reduced my fluid intake and virtually cut out all sodium - down to under 500 mg a day. All that drastic change in my life style resulted in my blood pressure dropping when I stood up after sitting and at times if I stood too long - like grocery shopping. Then with the constant fatigue and dizziness I returned to my PCP. It seems I was dehydrated! Once again adjusting the medication made all the difference in the world -- the next day I felt better than I had in the previous three weeks. After seeing the specialist I was informed that my kidneys are functioning at 35% - not good. A week later another blood test was taken, which shown there had been another decrease, down to 30%. I was put on iron and medication to keep my bones from becoming brittle. And being the librarian that I am -- I got my hands on every piece of information I could -- I have even thought about starting another blog just dealing with CKD, as there seems to be a lot of us out there. Kidney disease caused by diabetes is the commonest cause of kidney failure requiring treatment by dialysis or kidney transplantation. I have been diabetic for 35 years. I will have a biopsy in July to determine/verify the cause. Last Wednesday I was told by the specialist that if the decline continued as it had been, I would need a transplant in three to six months. But to hold off contacting the centers for evaluation as she wanted another blood test, which I will have tomorrow, to see if things leveled off and my body adjusts. So in the meantime I am going to live each day to the fullest doing what I enjoy and what is important in life. As I feel good, the doctor approved my going to Anaheim for conference, which I will do -- so see you there!

Life Happens!

2008-05-28T20:41:00.007-04:00

I have been complaining about periods of shortness of breath, swollen ankles with occasionally back pains for close to ten years now. I never seemed to get any satisfaction from my doctors -so last July after a really difficult episode, I changed doctors. She has been running me through every test known to man. And even though my last blood work was in May -- just two months before I saw her -- and I was told everything was fine, when she did the blood work, I ended up on medication for high blood pressure, high Cholesterol, and low thyroid function. Also a calcium supplement and continued with my daily vitamin and fluid pill. Last fall during a routine visit she mentioned that my kidney function was low and did a sonogram for blockage. As there was none, she recommended I see a specialist. Well, since last October, my time and energy went into the ALA Presidential Campaign leaving me little time to think of much else. I had a regular check-up appointment in April. While in Nags Head -- recovering from the campaign, (see a previous blog entry) I had a very difficult four days with very swollen ankles and a lot of difficulty breathing and even walking for a short distance. I had the follow-up appointment the Monday I returned and my blood work showed that my kidneys were functioning at 50% or less -- I was to go to a nephrologist (a kidney specialist). The specialist diagnosed me with Stage IV of Chronic Kidney Disease. Stage V is dialysis or transplant. I have been undergoing a lot of tests and will see what the future holds in mid-June. The CKD means reduced production of red blood cells -- and that with the heavy fluid retention accounts for the shortness of breath and anemia is a result of fewer red blood cells so I am exhausted most of the time -- fatigued is the better word -- which is not at all like me. I am sure this is more than anyone wants to know about my health -- but it has helped me by writing this. I plan to do as the doctor says and hope I can keep the disease in Stage IV for a very long time! But there are no answers at the moment. I also plan to be in Anaheim, but will certainly obey the doctors. I think I could be excused for missing one annual in thirty years!

The Christmas Shop

2008-05-11T22:23:00.004-04:00

The "sparkle" is back on the Outer Banks! The Christmas Shop in Manteo, NC opened again after being closed for 2 and a half years! For those that might not know, the Christmas Shop and Art Gallery is a landmark on the Outer Banks and a "must go to" attraction. On Saturday, May 10, 2008 Edward Greene cut the ribbon to open his shop again. There is still much to be done but the look is the same and it felt so very familiar -- like it had never closed. There are still the theme trees and the Art Gallery, and lots of antiques, but there are also various shops within the shop and new features like a glass blower - a tee shirt shop - fudge and coffee by the Outer Banks Fudge Company - and the History shop featuring books about North Carolina run by Bruce and Cheryl Roberts who use to own the Lighthouse Gallery and Gifts in Nags Head. I can't wait to see the Christmas Shop in November when it will certainly be all decked out for the holiday that is its' namesake.

The Outer Banks of North Carolina

2008-05-08T22:21:00.003-04:00

The Outer Banks are magical -- at least that is what I have always felt for the thirty-eight years I have been coming here. Through the years it has been the place I would go to sort out life's challenges and disappointments. A place to put things in perspective and figure out what to do or how to handle a particular situation. That is why, for now, I moved the saying at the end of my blog to the top right under the title. And through the years, even though I have seen unbelievable changes in the area, the ability to help me deal with life has not changed. Sitting on the beach looking out to the ocean can do wonders to clear my mind and prioritize what is important! That's why I am here this week and it didn't fail me this time, but provided me once again with a safe haven to get emotions out of the way so I could see things clearly and deal with the situation and move forward. Not winning the ALA Presidential election was a real disappointment but I am more disappointed for school libraries and youth services than I am for myself. But as the week has passed, I know I will not stop fighting for school libraries and having school and youth services librarians be an integral part of ALA. I have even been able to think through the debt I incurred and how I will pay it off in under two years! Might not be traveling much or buying anything other than necessities, but I can make it work. And when all is said and done, I enjoyed the experience, learned a lot, met many wonderful people that I hope will remain friends and had a lot of fun. Once again thank you for the opportunity and your kind words.

WWJBD?

2008-05-05T09:30:00.002-04:00

Facing emotions that have taken over every waking moment, created restless nights, and left me unable to speak to anyone without tearing up - I have tried to put some levity into the situation and asked myself - "What Would Jimmy Buffett Do?" And to quote one of his songs - "I hope you understand, I just gotta go back to the Island. . .and watch the sun go down . . . and the sea roll in . . . I'll be thinking . . .what might have been. . ." So I'm headed to my islands -- Hatteras Island and Roanoke Island.

Thank You!

2008-05-04T09:38:00.006-04:00

I have been away from my blog for longer than I realized -- too busy writing articles, speeches and flying around the country, campaigning. It was all worth it, I met a lot of great people I wouldn't have otherwise, I had a lot of fun, and I also learned a lot! But you probably know the results by now -- I was not elected as the American Library Association President-elect. I only received 44.2% of the votes. There is no doubt about it -- I am disappointed -- very disappointed -- and for many reasons. But I want to thank all of you who showed your confidence in me through your votes. I really appreciate all your support! Thank you for everything you did!

Fund Our Future Washington SB#6380 passes full Senate floor vote!! 49-0

2008-02-13T21:07:00.003-05:00

This is an email we received from the Spokane Moms! This is an excellent example of how advocacy works! We need to continue advocating for ourselves but the power of others advocating for us is the best way to get results!!

"Well folks, unbelievably good news! Olympia continues to mystify and thrill us. After passing out of Ways and Means yesterday, we expected to wait to be scheduled in the Senate Rules Committee. But .... SB#6380 was heard by and passed through the Rules committee this morning, and then went for a full Senate floor vote this afternoon. Senators McAuliffe, Eide, Marr, Brown, Honeyford, Hargrove, and Parlette spoke in support of the bill, and it in was UNANIMOUSLY PASSED just after 4pm this afternoon. Lisa was there to experience it, and was mentioned by name in Senator Eide's speech. Our grassroots effort was also publicly recognized in the speeches given by Senators Brown, McAuliffe and Parlette.THANK YOU EVERYONE for all you've done to get us here! This is an AMAZING accomplishment, a testament to all of us! The bill will go over to the house next. We'll keep you posted.There will be more info. posted at the blog later http://librariesfordemocracy.org/fundfuture/But we wanted you to know the great news.YEE-HA!!!"

Fund Our Future Washington

2008-02-03T13:37:00.000-05:00

WOW!! Talk about being where the action is!! Imagine being in a room with Mike Eisenburg, Gary Hartzell, Jamie McKenzie, ALA President, Loriene Roy; AASL Prsident, Sara Kelly Johns; AASL Executive Director, Julie Walker; the President of Antioch University, Washington State Librarian, Jan Walsh; Director of the Seattle Public Library; President of WLMA (Washington Library Media Association), Linda Collins; many Washington and Oregon teacher-librarians - and the main attraction - the Spokane Moms! Lisa Layera Brunkar, Susan McBuney, and Denette Hill. And I'm not talking about a huge auditorium room with these people on stage where you could hardly distinguish them -- but a room where to speak, a microphone was not needed and with the ability during a break and throughout the day to personally talk with all of these people and interact with them -- even sit and eat lunch with them. What an unbelieveable energizing day! This model in Washington state could be replicated around the country. In fact Oregon has formed Fund Our Future Oregon -- it can and hopefully will spread to all the other states. Arizona should be next! I wish every school library media specialists could have been there -- I wish every parent could have been there to be inspired to fight for their child's education as these Moms are. I really wish it had been recorded so everyone could have heard the podcast. There is no way to fully report the events of the day -- but I will post in the next couple of days particular highlights and messages. (I left my notes and camera in Olympia and they are being shipped to me - so I just want to verify my writings before posting!)

In the mean time check out their website and blog:
http://fundourfuturewashington.org/
blog:http://librariesfordemocracy.org/fundfuture/

Yes I Am in Seattle! to support Fund Our Future Washington!

2008-01-31T10:09:00.000-05:00

Well, two posts ago I talked about not being in Seattle for the Washington Redskins playoff game. But today I WILL leave for Seattle for a much more important reason. I am headed to Olympia, Washington to support the "Fund Our Future Washington" campaign. Check out their website http://www.fundourfuturewashington.org/index.html The state of Washington citizens are calling on state leaders to ensure that all Washington elementary and secondary students have full-time access to school libraries and a certified teacher librarian.

As the elimination of school librarians is not unique to Washington I hope this will be a model that will draw the attention of other states that are suffering from cutbacks and will spread throughout the country to ensure our students receive the education they deserve with library media programs as an integral part of the instructional process.

Of course, this is the prime reason school librarian media specialists need to be included in the reauthorization of NCLB. What is mandated gets funded. (See my previous postings on the SKILLs Act and NCLB)

There is also a feature story in American Libraries on this grassroots movement launched last spring by three Spokane women whose determination to strengthen school libraries statewide began by combating their school board's decision to close part of a $10.8-million deficit by halving the hours of the 10 full-time K-8 teacher-librarians still employed by Washington's second-largest district." This is the kind of vital support from parents that we need to see! These parents get it! They understand that libraries are important and that our children need school libraries and school library media specialists. I urge all of you to read the article
http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/currentnews/newsarchive/2008/january2008/washingtonskills.cfm

I will post more as it happens!

ALA Midwinter in Philadelphia

2008-01-19T15:47:00.000-05:00

Midwinter was certainly different for me this year! I found myself running from the convention center rooms to the meeting rooms in the Marriott and back again -- I was definitely burning a campaign trail. I visited meetings of the ALA divisions, round tables, committees, caucaus but time just did not permit visiting everyone. Even though the meetings were brief, for those that expressed their concerns and suggestions, I thank you, as I learned so much. I will remember to address them and will come back to you for more input. Hearing from the units was the highlight of the conference. It was an exhausting --but exhilarating six days! With all the campaigning, it was hard to meet my obligations with BARC and Council!

I was impressed with the start of a greener conference. The SRRT asked attendees to bring their favorite mug to conference. This I hope continues and is just the beginning of establishing a green conference. There are so many areas were we could easily become greener -- for instance, the amount of paper used/wasted particularly in Council is unbelievable and should be the next area addressed.

If you were unable to attend Midwinter or did not get to the Candidates Forum, my Opening and Closing Statement is on the home page of my website as is my campaign brochure. The questions and answers from the Council forum will appear in the March issue of American Libraries. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me and let me know! Also check the dates of my schedule and talk to me in person.

You're Not in Seattle????

2008-01-05T20:16:00.000-05:00

No, I am not in Seattle. You can't imagine how many calls I received this morning from friends calling to see if I went to the Redskins vs Seahawks playoff game today. As much as I wanted to be there --(it was great to be at the Tampa Bay wildcard game two years ago) -- family commitments come first -- as they rightfully should! I missed the first quarter -- and the only highlight of the game was two scores in two minutes to take the lead in the third quarter. After that there was nothing!! But as Redskins fans all over will tell you -- there is always next year! So back to work and getting ready for ALA Midwinter in Philly. So this is the last football post until September!

Hail to the Redskins!!!

2007-12-30T22:36:00.000-05:00

On a this cold, rainy afternoon the Redskins hosted the Dallas Cowboys, their long-time rival at home - FedEx Field. This was it!! We win and we go to the Playoffs. It was a miserable afternoon and I was tempted to stay home where it was warm and dry and I could see the plays and hear the announcer. But I do remember all those years before season tickets where I would do almost anything to get a ticket to this game - but rarely got one. So because it was the Cowboys game, I put on everything I had to stay warm and dry and ended up looking like the Michelin tire man!!! What can I say other than it was definitely worth it! It was one of the best games I had seen and certainly the Redskins played better than they had all year -- holding Dallas to just one yard rushing. The defense was truly awesome! I didn't sit down at all during the game - it was so exciting!! Lots of noise, lots of yelling and lots of disappointed Cowboy fans. If we lost, we could still go to the playoffs if the Saints and the Vikings also lost. But no fan wanted to go in by the backdoor -- we wanted to go in right! Throughout the game, the scores of other games being played are posted -- all but the Saints and the Vikings -- Coach Joe Gibbs did not want to know until this game was over. As it turned out they both lost. The important score -- the Redskins beat Dallas 27-6 and are headed to Seattle for the Wildcard game on Saturday, January 5. If we win (oops -- when we win) we will face Dallas the following week in Dallas. Surprisingly, I stayed warm and dry, but I will admit I was so excited I doubt I would have noticed otherwise.

National Library Legislative Day

2007-12-15T11:05:00.000-05:00

If you are on ALA Council, or have read-only privileges to the Council listserv you will have already seen this, but for those of you not on the listserv, I think it is a good time to begin the discussion of National Library Legislative Day. First a few (edited) excerpts from the posting that started the discussion.

. . .I have received a notice about registering for National Library Legislative Day. And it occurs to me .... that attending legislative day is a mystery to me. None of the folks in libraries I have worked at. . . have ever, to my knowledge, attended. And so I ask, because I am genuinely curious and wish to understand parts of the professional landscape that I don't frequent ...... do YOU go? Is it EXPECTED of you? Does SOMEBODY in your institution go? Is there institutional support for it? What do you hope to accomplish? Do you think you DO accomplish something?

Here was my response:
I for one, DO go to Legislative Day and encourage others to go. Two years ago, the spring class I was teaching at the University of Maryland on Library Administration met on Tuesday -- so I took my class to Legislative Day - and they loved it and got a lot out of it. It is not expected of me to go and several librarians at the central office level from other counties do go, and when we do we join up with our counterparts in the public, academic and special libraries to visit our Congressmen. The only institutional support I receive is that I do not have to take leave to go to Leg Day. (Granted a 45 minute ride on Metro gets me to Capitol Hill). Why do I go? - there are several reasons. 1)To attend the sessions the ALA Washington Office arranges and the overview which gives me a broad picture of what is happening politically in response to issues regarding all types of libraries -- it gives me the global picture so I can see the impact on myself and other libraries. 2)To have a chance to bring forth the issues affecting school libraries and hear from others around the country on how they are handling the issue or how it is impacting them and suggestions for us to join forces to address the issue. 3)To visit my Congressmen to - first thank them for their support in the past and tell them how it has made a difference and then to inform them of current concerns and ask for their help. What do I hope to accomplish? To make legislators aware of the needs of school libraries and when with my counterparts, how we work together for the needs of all types of libraries. Specifically, last year my interest was the introduction of the bill to include school librarians in NCLB -- the SKILLs Act. It was successful and got the attention of many and though there is still lots to be done -- I feel we (with the help of the Washington Office) did accomplish much! If we do not speak up for libraries -- all types of libraries -- who will? ALA Leg Day is not the only way to get our voice heard -- but it is an effective one. If we consistently advocate for libraries we can make a difference.

As a result of the posting I received several comments, one very interesting and which is one of those great ideas that comes from discussing a topic. Most of it centered around persons who would like to be involved, but for a variety of reasons cannot attend NLLD in Washington. The first comment was to have the handouts posted to the web so everyone can take advantage of them at the local level. Actually this is already done. The Washington office has been hosting Virtual Library Legislative Day for several years now, which is a great way to get involved if you cannot be there. The handouts are posted and there is an online Legislative Action Center (LAC) http://capwiz.com/ala that outlines all the pending issues and gives you an opportunity to send a fax directly to your legislators.

The next suggestion was to have a coordinated local event for those unable to attend. I wonder if the Federal Library Legislative Advocacy Network (FLLAN) might be the place to get such an action started -- ?? The FLLAN is a relatively new initiative by ALA's Committee on Legislation, the Public Library Association Legislative Committee and the ALA Washington Office to establish a more formal national grassroots advocacy network that is capable of responding to federal issues in an efficient and effective manner. Although developed primarily to get support when needed for an issue -- perhaps they could develop that support through a coordinated local event. Some states do have local events - perhaps they could be contacted to allow their success to be applied in other states to allow for a wider participation in our legislative actions.

The other suggestion, which I think is fantastic one and hope it is implemented -- is to web cast the various presentations at NLLD. This is simple technology and there are already web casts on the ALA page, so web casting the valuable presentations at NLLD and putting them on the web page with the handouts sounds like an easy way to get increased member involvement. It will certainly provide those unable to attend NLLD and who choose to work in local districts with the benefits those attending NLLD are able to gain, along with the ALA Washington Office staff's knowledge. I have emailed Emily Sheketoff, Executive Director of the ALA Washington Office requesting that this be explored for the NLLD this May.

IT'S UP! Visit My Webpage

2007-12-14T06:52:00.000-05:00

My web page for the ALA Presidential Campaign is up and running. I invite you to visit it and to post your questions, concerns, issues or ideas for improving our association. You can communicate with me through the forum on the web page, here on the blog or directly by email. I would love to hear your ideas!

Web page: http://www.electlindawilliams.org/
Email: lwilliams@aacps.org or jw177@aol.com
Blog: http://www.lindasreflections.blogspot.com/

I also invite you to come to my campaign reception to meet me on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at the Philadelphia Marriott, Salon B from 4:00 - 6:00 PM. There will be snacks and a cash bar and plenty of time to talk with me. Hope to see you then!

Where's the Evidence? Understanding the Impact of School Libraries

2007-12-02T19:45:00.000-05:00

The third SLJ Leadership Summit brought 250 librarians and vendors to the Arizona Biltmore, beautifully decorated for Christmas, complete with a huge gingerbread house. Arizona has been in a drought for many years as they have not received their annual 5" of rainfall. Surprise -- here we were in the hot desert and during the three days we were there it rained 2". Now, we were glad to "help out" but being rainy and cold did not allow us to take advantage of all the things to do in Phoenix, the Biltmore and nearby Scottsdale. We would have preferred warm and sunny conditions, but with such a wonderful event taking place it was really not an issue.

Speaking of Issues -- as a candidate for ALA President, during the vendor presentations on the second day, Gale's David Schroeter, presented me with a Gale tee-shirt with a great slogan, which should be mine! (see photo). I also want to thank Roger Rosen of Rosen Publishing for his very generous support.

The summit focused on Evidence-Based Practice as a way to understand the impact of school libraries on student achievement. Attendees had the opportunity to meet with their colleagues from across the county to learn, discuss and develop new practices. To paraphrase Brian Kenney, Editor-in-Chief, School Library Journal, Understanding and applying this methodology will allow building level library media specialists, district supervisors and state-level coordinators to answer the question "What differences do our school libraries and their learning initiatives make to student learning outcomes?" To implement Evidence-based Practice, we need to know and evaluate existing educational research, combine this with an effective library media program to collect the evidence that the school library is making a difference in student achievement. Using research in this way allows us to look beyond traditional measures and focus on information literacy, knowledge building and engaging students in reading.

The agenda was filled with well known names in the research field and users of Evidence-Based Practice. Opening remarks from Congress member Raul M. Grijalva praised school libraries and the future of the SKILLs Act. Linda Perlstein, author of Tested: One American School Struggles to Make the Grade presented the Keynote Address. She spent three years researching this book at a poor elementary in my school district. The book needed to be written and should be a reading requirement for all educators and parents. It is a story of meeting the requirements of NCLB -- both the good and the not so good. Yes, the students' scores went up -- but did the students learn?

Dr. Carol Gordon, Rutgers University moderated an Evidence Across the Profession Panel, which included participants from the medical , architectural, and health sciences fields and the Director from the Center for the Advancement of Evidenced-Based Practice. There were three Case Study sessions, covering a variety of topics, which participants selected to attend. Opening the second day of the summit, Peter Pearson, President, Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library gave an informative presentation on Just Because They Love You, Doesn't Mean They Will Fund You. Dr Ross Todd, Rutgers University closed the two-day summit by summing up all the sessions and presentations and forming work groups for applications of the major concepts. I do hope SLJ continues this yearly leadership summit - it is the most thought provoking two days I have spent in a long time. -- Interestingly enough, I can see many areas where Evidence-based Practice can be applied in the ALA Organization to gain the evidence of what works best and how we can apply the evidence and what we know to make things work better -- hmm -- what a concept!

The Future is @ Your Library

2007-10-30T20:40:00.000-04:00

The 13th National American Association of School Librarians (AASL) conference held in Reno, NV was a fantastic experience. Daniel H. Pink, as the Keynote speaker for the Opening General Session, kept everyone’s attention focused on what the future can hold. Pink, author of A Whole New Mind - Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future discussed the rise of right-brain thinking in modern economics and explained the six abilities individuals and organizations must master in an outsourced and automated world. If you haven’t read the book yet, I suggest you do so! A record number of attendees packed the sessions that heavily emphasized Web 2.0 and its application to learning -- our culture and the changes in the world.

Reno as a destination was not necessarily where most would have chosen to vacation, but there were so many wonderful meaningful conference activities, that Reno’s presence became minimum. I heard lots of rumors of attendees who tried to “get rich quick” – and did —but just as quickly, lost it . But that’s what happens in a gambling town. The important thing was everyone had fun along with full days of enriching programming. Those that had the time to come early or extend their trip found Lake Tahoe a beautiful respite from gambling and the run down town of Reno.

Prior to the AASL Conference, AASL President, Sara Kelley Johns, AASL Board member Robbie Nickle and I were invited to the local NBC affiliate to talk with Sam Shade on libraries and NCLB. Here is the link to the video from Nevada Newsmakers. Scroll down to October 29 which was when the program was broadcast. Nevada NewsMakers - Oct 29 - Nov 1‎(7KB)‎
Even though this was an AASL conference, the content would bring exciting ideas and quality staff development to anyone attending. The sessions covered online learning to successful summer reading programs to collaboration, working with principals, and storytelling, including a session on NCLB presented by Emily Sheketoff, Melanie Anderson, both from the ALA Washington Office and myself. The PowerPoint and handouts from all the sessions are available at http://www.ala.org/aasl as well as the ability to purchase a CD of all the presentations. There were tours to schools and libraries in the area, as well as local attraction tours, preconferences, author sessions, a great bookstore and lots of vendors.

Did you happen to miss this one? – don’t let this opportunity pass again – make plans now to attend the 14th AASL conference November 5-8, 2009 in Charlotte, NC and then the 15th in Minneapolis, MN in November 2011. See you there!

Candidate for ALA President

2007-10-20T21:19:00.000-04:00

I am deeply honored to announce that I am a candidate for President of the American Library Association. It is an honor to be nominated and I would work to serve the membership of ALA and all librarians. As an ALA member for 30 years I have a deep commitment to the ALA and feel I can make a significant contribution in advancing its mission and goals . My web site is under construction where my platform, complete biography and other areas will be available. For now the press release is on the ALA web site. http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=News&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=167189 Please feel free to contact me through this blog or at lwilliams@aacps.org Thank you in advance for your support and please let me know your concerns and thoughts.

Time Out!

2007-10-13T09:24:00.000-04:00

I have been away from my blog for a while, but my thoughts were still very much on school libraries and the SKILLs Act -- even while conquering Mount Everest -- or riding at lightening speed to get to an Areosmith concert -- which by the way were two of the best roller coaster rides I've taken! Yes, I was at Walt Disney World in Orlando enjoying being a kid and trick-or-treating at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. "Boo to You!" Now, back to reality!

Why School Library Media Specialists Need to be in the Reauthorization of NCLB

2007-09-29T20:59:00.000-04:00

Just within the last two days I received in my email three examples of how school librarians and school libraries -- not to mention our students -- are suffering at the hand of NCLB. We must continue to rally and tell our stories to Congress, so we will be included in the reauthorization of NCLB so this will STOP. I have omitted names and parts of the original text, but no change in the issue. If you read LM_Net or AASLForum, you have see the first example. To help with clarification, my words are in italics.

EXAMPLE 1
“. . .Title IIA, federal funds for Professional Development, will not pay for librarians' conferences or training. I recently applied for funding to go to AASL, . . .I am very unhappy about the situation. . . .21st Century Learning, which mediates Title IIA funds for the. . archdiocese sent my principal the following e-mail: “. . . I am not able to approve your request for Title IIA funds for the American Association of School Librarians Conference because Title IIA guidelines very specifically detail that the funds are to be used for sustained professional development for teachers and administrators. Training must be focused on improving student achievement in core academic areas or on improving instructional strategies or classroom management techniques. . .Perhaps it's time to send protests to your legislators. I certainly will. Perhaps you should do so too"

And here is the great response from a member of the AASL NCLB Task Force. "Thank you for this very real example of how teacher-librarians are affected by the provisions of NCLB. When you call your representatives to protest, make sure that you ask them to co-sponsor the SKILLs Act (HR 2864/S 1699). This legislation will amend NCLB to include teacher-librarians for consideration for Title IIA funding. As. . .stated, teacher-librarians are not currently considered part of the "core academic areas" and therefore ineligible for these funds under the current provisions of NCLB. The successful passage of the SKILLs Act will change this. Don't just protest, make sure you ask your reps to co-sponsor the SKILLs Act!"

Teacher-librarians might not be considered part of the "core academic areas" but the skills we teach and the collaboration we do with the core academic teachers certainly focus on improving student achievement in the core areas as in all areas of our students education. And even if not considered to be approved by that criteria the sessions at the AASL Conference in Reno the end of October, all focus on improving instructional strategies -- or even classroom management techniques. It is unbelievable that those making the decision do not understand this! Help us change this!

Example 2
"NCLB seems to be taking a toll on school library media specialist positions. The most recent disaster has been the dismantling of the Department of School Libraries in Pennsylvania. This Department was moved into the Pennsylvania State Library many years ago with school librarians kicking and screaming because it was no longer in Curriculum and Instruction. However, the State Library in PA is a part of the Department of Education and they were able to mix ESEA and LSTA funds to do marvelous things like hire additional staff using LSTA funds.The Department grew exercising strong leadership under first Doris Epler (who helped create the state-wide database for all types of libraries) and then John Emerick who worked to create the Power Library. Their resource center was one of the finest in the nation. A governor's (former mayor of Philadelphia) made an appointment of a State Education Department Director who saw how good the resource center was to answer questions and moved the staff into his public relations department. Only one other person remains and they aren't sure this person will be able to go out to libraries as the staff have been doing previously. Only one person is left to go out to talk with superintendents and principals when they decide to do without a school librarian."

Having known John Emerick and worked with some outstanding school library media specialists in Pennsylvania, I know what the Department has been able to accomplished in the past years. It appears that Pennsylvania like many other states is doing away with the school library media department -- or making it so small that it is extremely ineffective. Evidence of the lack of understanding of what school libraries and school librarians do to increase student achievement and improve reading skills. Without being in NCLB we are looked at as an easy place to cut budgets to apply to what is mandated.

Example 3
"In California, a recent discussion has revolved around a principal who put the reading teacher in charge of the elementary school library -- not even with a library technician. The reading teacher immediately rearranged the library by Accelerated Reader levels.

This is happening more and more. Many school libraries are operated by someone without a degree -- a parent volunteer or an aide. NCLB calls for literacy coaches as well as technology people -- both of which fall into the arena of school library media specialists -- yet others are being hired with little to no recognition of the work school library media specialists do to increase student achievement.

Advocacy for School Libraries and Librarians

2007-09-26T22:45:00.000-04:00

Just a few weeks ago, I received an email from a school librarian who had just re-read my Jan/Feb 2006 AASL Presidential Column in Knowledge Quest, Advocacy: The First Step in Achieving it ALL. (www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslpubsandjournals/kqweb/kqarchives/volume34/34-3_Williams.pdf) She expressed her frustration with the lack of success we as school librarians have had in changing our status, regardless of the amount of personal advocacy attempts and successes. I have to agree with her. Since the publication of the first Information Power, some twenty years ago, we have been trying to get teachers, administrators and Boards of Education to realize the difference we make in student achievement, and recognize school library media specialists as vital and integral to the instructional process. Yes, we have made a few inroads, but certainly not a unified understanding and acceptance. What is it we need to do?

The fact that "there is still no place in administrators' education where the role and actualization of LMS's on student learning is addressed." or the "disparity across the nation in state education regulations concerning LMS's and LMC's. Our own profession is distracted by arguing about the educational and certification requirements of LMS's" These are all things that contribute to the lack of understanding, but regardless of the amount of time and effort, we need to consistently advocate for our profession and the difference we make in the education of our students. This is why the impending legislation regarding the reauthorization of NCLB is so important to school libraries and librarians. It takes ALL of us working together to get something accomplished -- whether it is the legislation or recognition of school libraries ad librarians in our own state or district. We cannot continue to sit back and let others do it for us -- those who never let up and are always trying to make a difference cannot do it by themselves. many say what can I do, one voice won't make a difference -- but one voice CAN make a difference -- one voice is important, but to turn the perspective it takes all of us together. And we need to think out of our own area. Get other groups to speak for us -- on our behalf. Broaden your sphere of influence and get it to work for you. But regardless, we cannot give up !

Committee for Educational Funding - Gala 2007 Banquet

2007-09-20T00:13:00.000-04:00

I had the pleasure of attending the Committee for Education Funding Gala 2007 Banquet last night. What a wonderful opportunity to network with people and organizations that deal with education. The Gala sponsors included the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association, the Student Aid Alliance, National Association of Private Special Education Centers, National School Boards Association, The College Board, with a long list of table sponsors, and contributors. More than ever, it brought to light that we need to reach out to all educational organizations and tell them our story and get their support for school libraries. Having them speak on our behalf to Congress does our cause a world of good. It is the type of strong support we need. So reach out and contact anyone in the education arena that can help us.

The theme of the Gala was "When Our Students Succeed, Our Nation Succeeds". Three Awards were presented:

The Charles Wilson Lee Citizen Service Award "for distinguished public service in support of education as an investment in America's children, youth and adults" was presented to Former President George H.W. Bush and Former President William Jefferson Clinton for the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund.

The William H. Natcher Distinguished Service Award, "for distinguished service during the 110th Congress in elevating the priority for education funding to ensure better opportunities for our nation's citizens" was presented to The Honorable Dave Obey, US House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 7th District and the Honorable Jim Walsh, US House of Representatives from New York's 25th District.

The Outstanding New Member Award, "for demonstrating commitment to our nation's students by advocating education as an investment in the future" was awarded to the Honorable John Yarmuth, US House of Representatives from Kentucky's 3rd District.

PLEASE!! Continue Contacting Your Senators and Representative

2007-09-19T11:59:00.000-04:00

Please continue to contact your Senators and Representatives to cosign the SKILLs Act so the support will help us get the amendment into the NCLB. We have only another week to do so!!

Please take action and pass this on to anyone -- school librarians -- teachers -- administrators -- parents -- even students. We have one and only one window of opportunity to make a difference and get the legislation in our favor. Please contact your Senators and Representatives NOW!!!! Please join together and send in a flood of calls, letters -- just contact them!!

I am copying below the information about the SKILLs Act and also talking points to use when contacting Congress. Thank you so much for your help! Our students -- the leaders of tomorrow -- will also thank you!

088September 11, 2007
Only TWO WEEKS Left to Save School Libraries
We need your help – ALL LIBRARIANS AND LIBRARY ADVOCATES – to ensure the inclusion of the Strengthening Kids’ Interest in Learning and Libraries (SKILLs) Act in the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). This is the single most important piece of legislation concerning school libraries that will come before Congress this year. Reauthorization of this bill is critical to the future of school libraries.

On September 24, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor will be considering reauthorization of the NCLB. In order for the SKILLs Act to be included in NCLB – that is, to place a state-certified school library media specialist in every school – each member of the House must co-sponsor the SKILLS Act.

There is little more than two weeks to accomplish this goal and the name of your Representative must appear on this bill. If your Representative’s name does not appear as a co-sponsor, please call his/her office immediately and request that he/she support the SKILLs Act. If your Representative’s name DOES appear on this bill, contact his/her office and thank him/her for the continued support of school libraries and school library media specialists.

Sponsors:
Raul Grijalva (AZ-7)Vernon Ehlers (MI-3)

Co-Sponsors:
Bart Gordon (TN-6)Tim Holden (PA-17)Steve Cohen (TN-9)James McGovern (MA-3)

When contacting your Representative prepare yourself to state why this issue is of critical importance:
The SKILLs Act
*Requires school districts, to the extent feasible, to ensure that every school within the district employs at least one state-certified school library media specialist in each school library;
*Defines state-certified school library media specialists as those who have a bachelor’s degree and have obtained full state certification as a school library media specialist or passed the state teacher licensing examination, with state certification in library media in such state;
*Establishes as a state goal that there be at least one state-certified school library media specialist in every public school no later than the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year;
*Broadens the focus of training, professional development, and recruitment activities to include school library media specialists;
*Ensures that funds will serve elementary, middle, and high school students;
*Requires books and materials to be appropriate for and engage the interest of students in all grade levels and students with special learning needs, including English language learners.

Talking Points
*Multiple studies have affirmed that there is a clear link between school library media programs that are staffed by a school library media specialist and student academic achievement. Across the United States, research has shown that students in schools with good school libraries learn more, get better grades, and score higher on standardized test scores than their peers in schools without libraries.
*Academic Librarians: School libraries are KEY to ensuring college readiness.
*Public Librarians: School library media specialists give students the skills they need to utilize your library to its fullest extent.
*Long regarded as the cornerstone of the school community, school libraries are no longer just for books. Instead, they have become sophisticated 21st century learning environments offering a full range of print and electronic resources that provide equal learning opportunities to all students, regardless of the socio-economic or education levels of the community – but only when they are staffed by school library media specialists trained to collaborate with teachers and engage students meaningfully with information that matters to them both in the classroom and in the real world.
*Only about 60 percent of our school libraries have a full-time, state-certified school library media specialist on staff.
*With limited funding and an increased focus on school performance, administrators are trying to stretch dollars and cut funds across various programs to ensure that maximum resources are dedicated to improving student academic achievement.
*Because NCLB does not highlight the direct correlation between school library media specialists and increased student academic achievement, library resource budgets are increasingly being used to mitigate the effects of budgetary shortfalls.

Send a letter or fax to Congress
U.S. Capitol switchboard 202-225-3121

HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!

2007-09-18T09:33:00.000-04:00

Well, it can never be all work and no play!! What a fantastic victory for the Washington Redskins over their division rival the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night national television. The previous years' records of losses to Philly made this victory at their home all the sweeter! The awesome defense held them to field goals -- no touchdowns!!! We are 2-0, Philly is 0-2. What a great way to start the season. The Giants, also a division rival and with a starting record of 0-2, come to town on Sunday evening. Could we be celebrating a 3-0 start on Monday morning? The fans are getting excited about a great and winning season -- now how do the playoff games conflict with ALA Midwinter??? Going to get out the January 08 calendar and start planning! Hmm, with Midwinter in Philadelphia, I could take the train down and back if the playoffs are at home!!

Have you contacted your Senators and Representative Yet?

2007-09-15T13:27:00.000-04:00

In this hectic and ultra busy world we live in, it is so easy to say "yes -- I'm going to do that", and then there is a distraction. Please, help us save school libraries and provide our students with the resources and education they need to survive in the 21st Century. If you have put off contacting your Senators or Representative --DO SO NOW!! If you have already contacted them, contact them again and ask them if they have signed on to cosponsor the SKILLs Act.

We need your help to ensure the inclusion of the Strengthening Kids’ Interest in Learning and Libraries (SKILLs) Act in the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).
This is the single most important piece of legislation concerning school libraries that will come before Congress this year. Reauthorization of this bill is critical to the future of school libraries.

We have such a short time frame to get our mission accomplished. It is so simple -- go to http://capwiz.com/ala/issues/alert/?alertid=10223941 Type in your zip code and your Representative and Senators will appear, you can click on whether you want to send an email or letter and fill out the info and it is done -- and you have helped!! Thank you for doing so -- all school librarians will thank you!.

TWO WEEKS LEFT TO SAVE SCHOOL LIBRARIES

2007-09-13T00:02:00.000-04:00

Just as I was about to create a post on this critical time for school libraries, Sylvia Norton, AASL Division Councilor posted this message to the ALA Council listserv. It was so well written that I am posting it rather than creating my own. It deserves your attention!!!

"Ever realize that this is a critical turning point for something you really care about? Well, the next two weeks is a turning point for those who care about kids and libraries. We are in a critical two week period to enlist members of the House to sign on as co-sponsors for the Strengthening Kids’ Interest in Learning and Libraries (SKILLs) Act. At Annual in DC the Council unanimously adopted the resolution on No Child Left Behind. Now is the time to demonstrate your support for inclusion of the Strengthening Kids’ Interest in Learning and Libraries (SKILLs) Act in the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) by contacting your Representative.

The sad reality is school librarians were overlooked in NCLB. Sure, in my work as a state level school library coordinator you can hear me advocate that the library media specialist is included as NCLB focuses on reading, literacy and using technology. I know that means library media specialists are needed to select books, collaborate with classroom teachers, instruct how to find quality online information, and all the other work in a school library program which ensures students are effective users of ideas and information. Many of the schools I see, however, are hiring a literacy specialist to select books for classroom libraries and a technology integrator to show how to evaluate websites on their laptops. Those can be valuable positions in a school, but library media specialists are being left behind to the detriment of our students. Without the specific mention of “library media specialist” in NCLB, too many of our school libraries are being left as stagnant collections without qualified staff. As Congress moves towards NCLB reauthorization it is crucial that school library media specialists are included.

This is the single most important piece of legislation concerning school libraries that will come before Congress this year. Reauthorization of this bill is critical to the future of school libraries. Our 21st century kids with laptops need to see dynamic school libraries and library media specialists or libraries in general may eventually be left behind. Congress needs to hear from librarians, teachers, administrators, parents, and anyone who sees a school library media specialist as critical to learning. Effective school library programs make a difference for students. All of us who believe that libraries make a difference in our lives need to support the SKILLS Act.

Please contact your Representative and ask him or her to sign on as a co-sponsor of the Strengthening Kids’ Interest in Learning and Libraries (SKILLs) Act in the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).

The ALA Washington Office has included talking points for public and academic librarians as part of its action alert.
For more contact information and talking points go to:
http://capwiz.com/ala/issues/alert/?alertid=10223941

Thanks,

Sylvia

Reauthorization of NCLB and the SKILLs Act

2007-09-08T23:31:00.001-04:00

I have reprinted the previous four posts from the AASL Blog just to remind all of you that we have been keeping you informed of the SKILLs Act helping us to get our wording in any reauthorization of NCLB. ALA and the Washington Office have been working on our behalf and we need to let them know we appreciate their efforts and show our support by letting our Senators and Representatives know the importance of school library media professionals and the positive effect they make on student achievement. In any rewrite of the NCLB -- we need to be included in any highly qualified category.

The House released its first draft of Title I for the NCLB reauthorization`last week and other Titles will be released shortly. Our language is not in the base bill in the House. The Washigton Office will continue to push for the language we want to be added as an amendment. They are working to find a sponsor for the amendment on the Education and Labor Committee. When they do have a sponsor in the House identified, there will be a different message. They will then ask for people to contact their Representative if they are on the Committee to support the amendment.

For now for the SKILLs Act we are staying with the same message. Contact your Representative and Senators and ask them to sign on as a co-sponsor the SKILLs Act. We always knew that the SKILLs Act would not pass as a stand alone bill. It was always meant to be included in NCLB. Having as many co-sponsors as we can get makes it easier for the amendment to move.
Please join in and help us get this legislation accomplished!!!

SKILLs Act Needs Action Now

2007-09-08T23:26:00.000-04:00

Reprinted from the AASLBlog August 28, 2007
Filed under: AASL News, AASL Community, Hot Topics — droth @ 10:00:28 pm

Now is the time to CONTACT YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE. Contact them this week, while they are home in their states and districts, or next week when they return to Washington DC. Do not wait any longer. Congress could decide the SKILLs Act very soon.
SUMMARY of the SKILLs Act and REASONS TO SUPPORT IT: http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslissues/SKILLS_Act.cfmand the Talking Points link from there.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:•ASK YOUR SENATORS TO CO-SPONSOR S. 1699, the SKILLs Act bill in the Senate.
•ASK YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO CO-SPONSOR H.R. 2864, the SKILLs Act bill in the House.
SOME WAYS TO CONTACT YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES:•Go to their office in your district before they return to Washington DC if you can. Bring librarians, parents, teachers and other supporters with you if possible.
•Write a letter -- fax or email it to your Senators and Representative (U.S. Mail is too slow; it needs a security check). Get librarians, parents, teachers and other supporters to write and send letters, too.
•Phone your Senators and Representative at their office and ask them to co-sponsor the SKILLS Act. Get other supporters to do this, too.
To find your SENATORS’ CONTACT INFORMATION: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
To find your REPRESENTATIVE’S CONTACT INFORMATION: http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml
FINALLY,When you hear from a Senator or Representative about their position on SKILLs, please let me know -- aasl.legis@gmail.com

Reach out and "touch" your Congress people NOW. Phone calls are needed.

2007-09-08T23:22:00.000-04:00

Reprinted from AASL Blog - August 7, 2007
Filed under: AASL Community, Committees — Sara Kelly JOHNS
Please feel free to cross-post this anywhere you think school librarians are "listening."* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I heard from the ALA Washington Office yesterday that RIGHT NOW is a crucial time for getting the SKILLs legislation through Congress and that phone calls to our senators and representatives are the most effective means of communication for our message. Emily Sheketoff and Melanie Anderson of the ALA Washington Office are encouraging school librarians to go to the the Washington Office Legislative Action Center which provides phone numbers for offices (just search by your zip code) and talking points for us to use.
It's time for Congress to hear our LOUD voices in support of including school librarians as highly qualified in NCLB. We don't have to endorse NCLB to be included in it when students will benefit so greatly from strong school library programs staffed by highly qualified school library media specialists. The ALA Washington Office makes it much easier for us to show our support...Just do it! It matters for kids.

Act Now to Support the SKILLs Act

2007-09-07T23:06:00.001-04:00

Reprinted from the AASLBlog - August 2, 2007
Filed under: AASL Community, Hot Topics
Posted on behalf of the ALA Washington Office: On Thursday, August 2, Representatives Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) and Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) sent a Dear Colleague letter asking Members of Congress to co-sponsor H.R. 2864, The Strengthening Kids' Interest in Learning and Libraries or SKILLs Act. This legislation is critical to the future of school library media specialists. Please contact your Representative immediately and ask them to co-sponsor the SKILLs Act, which:- Requires school districts, to the extent feasible, to ensure that every school within the district employs at least one highly qualified school library media specialist in each school library;- Defines highly qualified school library media specialists as those who have a bachelor's degree and have obtained full state certification as a school library media specialist or passed the state teacher licensing examination, with state certification in library media in such state;- Establishes as a state goal that there be at least one highly qualified school library media specialist in every public school no later than the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year;- Broadens the focus of training, professional development, and recruitment activities to include school library media specialists;- Ensures that funds will serve elementary, middle, and high school students; and- Requires books and materials to be appropriate for and engage the interest of students in all grade levels and students with special learning needs, including English language learners.
For more information visit http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslissues/SKILLS_Act.cfm
Visit ALA Washington Office's Legislative Center at http://http://www.capwiz.com/ala/home

NCLB Legislation

2007-09-07T22:59:00.000-04:00

Reprinted from the AASLBlog - June 2007
Filed under: AASL Community
For the past two years the ALA Washington Office has been working hard to get school librarians into the No Child Left Behind legislation. At ALA Midwinter in 2005, Council passed a resolution directing them to work toward this! This hard work has been successful!!!!
On Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at Library Day on the Hill during the ALA conference here in DC, Senator Jack Reed will introduce his bill, cosigned by Senator Cochran, from Mississippi. There will also be a press conference at 12:00 noon on the House side of South Capital Street between C and D at the blue bookmobile. If you are in the area, regardless of the type of library, please attend and support school librarians everywhere!
Once the bill has been assigned a number -- both in the Senate and House, I will post them along with easy directions to contact your Senators and Congressmen to let them know you support the bill, to include school librarians in the highly category.
Support of this bill to get it passed and have school librarians in the highly qualified category in the reauthorization of NCLB will go a long way to helping save our positions and more important -- our profession!
There is also a resolution coming before Council on Wednesday, crafted by AASL Executive Committee member Dee Gwaltney to have ALA on record supporting this bill, which wil be sent to Congress.
And a note to all of those who say -- in print or in private -- that ALA does nothing for us (school librarians) and they should be doing something to save our jobs -- well they are, and now is your chance to thank them and get out the support to let Congress know we support this bill.
posted by J. Linda Williams
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International School Library Day

2007-09-07T01:20:00.000-04:00

I received this from the Coordinator for the International School Library Day and thought it was worth sharing!
"The 9th Annual International School Library Day will soon be upon us. Officially the day is Monday October 22, 2007, however, many places around the world have decided to celebrate our special day at various times during October due to school holidays. The date of your celebration may be different but the message is the same 'Learning: Powered by your School Library'.

As you continue to develop your plans for your special celebration, I wanted to point out a few resources that you may wish to use.

The IASL’s International School Library Day main page may be accessed http://www.iasl-online.org/events/isld/

On the resource page http://www.iasl-online.org/events/isld/sldresources.html you will find:
International School Library Day logos that you can download and add to any promotional material. Remember that this logo is copyrighted and can not be modified in any way.
Sample letter (Word format) to promote ISLD in your area
ISLD 2007 Colouring page – black line master to download for kids to colour.
ISLD 2007 Poster – large and small coloured version of the ISLD 2007 poster to download and print out.
On the project page http://www.iasl-online.org/events/isld/isld-projects.html you will find:

Information on the bookmark project – hurry matching with schools ends by September 15

Information on the Email Around the World Project"

Remember --- school libraries matter and are worth celebrating!