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Success for school library funding in Washington State March 12, 2008

Posted by jfreeman in : Hot Topics, Spokane Moms , 2 comments

Grassroots efforts can make a difference in a short period of time! The Washington State legislature listened to their constituents’ concerns about school library funding, today releasing a supplemental budget with $4 million allocated to public school library programs, averaging just over $4.00 per student. While it is not the original $12 million found in the Senate’s version of the budget, it is a huge victory to be a newly funded item in a supplemental budget year when financial prospects are bleak.

Lisa Layera Brunkan, Denette Hill, and Susan McBurney, the “Spokane Moms,” and their grassroots organization, Fund Our Future Washington, called upon the Washington Library Media Association’s members and anyone else they could find to write letters, walk the halls of the capitol buildings, call the legislative hotline, and flood elected officials with stories and information about school libraries. Over 5500 people signed a petition supporting school libraries, communicating local support and understanding of the importance of school libraries to the legislators. Sara Kelly Johns and Loriene Roy supported the Washington State efforts and came to Olympia, Washington, to the School Library Summit in January. Nationally and locally, this issue is capturing the attention of librarians, parents, school boards, and now, legislators.

This commitment from the Washington State legislature is the first step to permanent funding for school libraries, as next year is another budget cycle and a reevaluation of the state’s Basic Education Act. A goal for the next legislative session is for school libraries to be considered essential to basic education. It seems possible in light of the legislature’s heightened awareness of the role that school libraries have in the education of our children.

To read the Spokane Moms’ first-hand account of the past few months, see their blog: http://librariesfordemocracy.org/fundfuture/.

AASL News

Posted by mjones in : AASL News , add a comment

March marks a busy month for AASL members. There are many votes to cast and chances to register for learning and networking events. Make your membership to AASL worthwhile by doing all of this!

All K-12 public and private schools are encouraged to participate in the “School Libraries Count!” study before it closes this week on Saturday, March 15. By providing current and accurate data, this survey informs key decision makers on the local, state, and national level of the value of school library media programs. This year’s survey also asks about the use of Web 2.0 and other electronic tools. Access the survey at http://www.aaslsurvey.org

Be sure to register for two AASL events—the 2008 Fall Forum and AASL preconferences. This year’s Fall Forum, “Assessment, Part II: Constructing and Interpreting Viable Tools for Effective Student Learning in the Library Media Center,” will be held in Oak Brook, Illinois (in the Chicago area), from October 17 to October 19. Didn’t attend Part I? Don’t worry! Attendance at the 2006 Fall Forum was not at all necessary to benefit from the 2008 Fall Forum. The 2006 Fall Forum on assessment was such a popular and well-received event, that it seemed necessary to further explore the topic. Presenters include Celeste DiCarlo Nalwasky, Judith Dizikowski, Barbara F. Schloman, Julie Gedeon, and Everett Kline. New this year, breakout sessions will offer the attendees a chance to focus on one of three particular areas of assessment to get more in-depth knowledge and confer with other attendees. Registration on or before September 12 is as follows: AASL members, $209; ALA members, $259; Non-members, $319. Registration after September 12 is as follows: AASL members, $259, ALA members $309, Non-members, $369.

AASL preconference topics include trends in reading, learning, and Web 2.0. As AASL preconferences are ticketed events, I encourage you to register soon to avoid missing out on the opportunity to learn trends and gain ideas from the insightful preconference speakers. Presenters include Cassandra Barnett, Barbara Stripling, Julie Osur, Julie Masterson-Smith, and Doug Johnson. Tickets for the full-day session are $169 for AASL members, $209 for ALA members, and $259 for non-members. Half-day sessions are $79 for AASL members, $129 for ALA members, and $184 for non-members. ALA’s Annual Conference will be held in Anaheim, California, from June 26 to July 2. For more information or to register for 2008 Fall Forum or AASL preconferences, visit the AASL Conferences and Events Web page at: http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/conferencesandevents/aaslconferences.cfm

Finally, the entire month of April is devoted to School Library Media Month (SLMM). This year AASL is fortunate to have Carmen Agra Deedy and Abigail Breslin as spokespersons for the event. Started in 1985, SLMM has gained a national presence as a time to celebrate school library media programs and the importance school library media specialists play in a student’s education. Our Web site includes links to ways to celebrate SLMM in your school, as well as fun posters and information on our spokespersons. Look for public service announcements in both English and Spanish from Carmen Agra Deedy to be posted soon! More on SLMM can be found in the Advocacy section of the AASL Web site. Visit: http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslissues/aasladvocacy/schoollibrary.cfm

For more on all of the above news topics, visit the AASL Web site often:
http://ala.org/aasl

Every Vote Counts

Posted by admin in : ALA Council, Community , add a comment

Within the next two weeks the electronic ballot for ALA’s annual elections will be in your mailbox. Please take the time to vote.

If you’re wondering which candidates for ALA office are AASL members, wonder no further

AASL Members and position they’re seeking

J. Linda Williams (2008 ALA President-Elect)

2008 ALA Councilor-at-Large

Mary Biblo
Alison Ernst
Linda Friel
Carrie Gardner
Dolores D. Gwaltney
Christopher G. Harris
Margaret L. Kirkpatrick
Johan Koren
Steve Matthews
Esther L. McRae
Marilyn J. McCroskey
Jo Ellen Priest Misakian
Toni Negro
Barbara K. Stripling
Ida Williams Thompson
Linda J. Underwood
Lisa Von Drasek
Kelvin Watson
Ann C. Weeks

The following are members of ALSC and/or YALSA

Camila Alire (2008 ALA President-Elect)

2008 ALA Councilor-at-Large

Thomas W. Brogan
Frank A. Bruno
Sandra A. Collins
Barbara A. Genco
Bonnie L. Kunzel
Dale K. McNeill

NOTE: These names are provided for informational purposes only and imply no endorsement of the candidates.