Life Happens!

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

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

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?

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!

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

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

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!

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

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????

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!