Read all about it November 20, 2009
Posted by Wendy Stephens in : Check this out! , add a commentIn case you missed the post from AASL Executive Director Julie Walker that came through the AASL Forum last week, the school where I work, Buckhorn High in New Market, Alabama, was the featured cover story in the Nov. 4 edition of Education Week, “An Alabama High School Makes Literacy a School-Wide Job” (registration required). The last subheading, “Librarian’s Key Role,” touched very briefly on my efforts to renew our collection to support adolescent literacy.
The story of how came to appear in that publication is closely related to another conversation from the AASL Forum, one talking about penetrating administrator’s conferences to showcase and advocate for library media work. Catherine Gewertz, the reporter for Education Week, had seen me present alongside my principal, assitant principal, and the head of our English department at the National Association of Seconary School Principals (NASSP) last February. My administration considers my work and the school library to be vital to the school’s overarching goal. The conversation on the forum asked about strategies to present at administrator’s conferences without an administrator “buddy” to include them.
The more I have thought about it, the more I am not sure that would be effective. When we are working with allied educators, the principal (or classroom teacher, or reading specialist, or guidance counselor) helps to contextualize the library media work within the larger school. Without that sense of how the school media center can work with the rest of the building, I don’t think an LMS would pull much of an audience.
How many of us would turn out to hear a classroom teacher presenting a solo session on collaborating with school media specialists at a library media conference? Perhaps instead of trying to infiltrate their ranks on our own, we should be exploiting our close relationships with other educators to demonstrate the power of school libraries within an existing framework other educators can readily understand. How have you had success in presenting 21st century school library work to other educators?
One state celebrates strong school libraries November 10, 2009
Posted by Wendy Stephens in : Check this out! , 2commentsHundreds of school librarians returning from Charlotte were able to immediately harness the new knowledge and skills they gained at the 14th National Conference in a week dedicated to showcasing their exceptional work connectiong young people with books and other information resources. The Alabama Instructional Media Association , the AASL affiliate organization for the state, has proclaimed November 9-13 as the first-ever Alabama School Libraries Week.
A media blitz is underway, showcasing the exceptional level of staffing maintained in K-12 media centers in that state’s public schools. Staffing in the vast majority of Alabama schools currently reflects the levels mandated by the SKILLS Act, now before Congress as a stand-alone bill.
Alabama School Libraries Week
What does Alabama School Libraries Week mean for school media specialists? At North Highland Elementary School, Michelle Wilson has brought in guest readers, including administration from the central office who often don’t get to see school libraries in action. Her students are capping the week with a character dress-up day Friday.
On my own campus, we’re connecting Alabama School Libraries Week programming to ALA’s National Gaming Day @ Your Library. Our high school library will be opening early and staying open late all week to give students an opportunity to enjoy both board and video gaming in a social and celebratory environment before and after class.
A press release shares local contact information for AIMA board members who can point the press to exceptional school libraries in their area. A comprehensive database of participating schools is being compiled by Dr. Ginger Eastman, Technology Initiatives, Alabama State Department of Education. Bookmarks, activities, and other resources are available from the AIMA website.
As Linda Sue Park said at AASL’s closing author breakfast, children should take library access for granted but grow into adults who NEVER take library access for granted. Alabama’s strong school libraries are helping to create those adults who appreciate the role of a variety of information agencies in creating lifelong learners.
AASL Conference November 9, 2009
Posted by abranyon in : Check this out! , 1 comment so farI am still riding on a high after attending the AASL Conference in Charlotte. My most thoughts kept returning to the power of words and what a joy that I work in this profession. Dannah Boyd was phenomenal when she presented the importance of social networking to teens. She was thought provoking and I realized how important it is for teens to have a place to express their words and feelings. So much so that they have picked a “very public private place.” Next came James Patterson who talked about his writing career and what prompted him to begin writing Young Adult Literature. He also referenced Cushing Academy and the removal of print books for e-books. I would love to hear other bloggers’ thoughts on that topic. Charles R. Smith spoke Friday night at the dinner and performed his poetry and his works. I was moved by his sincerity and his passion for his writing. I was moved to stand and cheer for Laurie Halse Anderson who spoke on her works and censorship. She advanced the idea that every time a librarian is not replaced or a library budget is cut, censorship is being practiced! Having just celebrated banned book week, I was thrilled to hear a voice crying out for intellectual freedom. Join with me in blogging and celebrating our ability to employ the power of words to becom agents of change!!!
Let’s Celebrate Conference! October 28, 2009
Posted by Jay Bansbach in : Check this out! , add a commentWhat is Celebrate Conference?
Celebrate Conference: First-Timer’s Orientation
Thursday, November 5, 12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Is this your first AASL National Conference? Are you a new AASL Member? This session is especially designed for new AASL members and first-time attendees to the AASL National Conference. AASL member-leaders and others will share helpful tips and strategies to help you get the most out of an AASL National Conference. First-timers will receive a box lunch, sponsored by ABDO Publishing Company if you checked off that you were a first-timer when you registered for conference.
In addition, we are still looking for long-time conference attendees to drop by and provide your valuable insights. If you are willing, please drop me an e-mail at: cjbansbach@yahoo.com to let me know you are coming.
James Patterson Opens the AASL Conference Day on Friday November 6th October 28, 2009
Posted by Jay Bansbach in : Check this out! , add a commentInternational bestselling author JAMES PATTERSON opens the AASL 2009 conference Friday, November 6, at 8:00 AM. Mr. Patterson has thrilled, chilled and romanced readers of all ages for over two decades. His MAXIMUM RIDE and DANIEL X books are teen favorites around the country and have been nominated for state awards from coast to coast. Mr. Patterson is a champion of reading and his new readers’ advisory website, www.ReadKiddoRead.com is a great resource for librarians, parents, and teachers alike in helping kids find the perfect book. As a special gift, the first one thousand attendees at Mr. Patterson’s address will receive an advance readers copy of his next great action adventure for teens, WITCH & WIZARD. Don’t miss out on this wonderful chance to hear one of America’s favorite authors.
b there @ the AASL Conference in Charlotte October 26, 2009
Posted by Ann Pipkin in : Check this out! , add a commentb there – Your Virtual Track Pass
Don’t miss your chance to be a part of virtually the biggest event for school library media specialists outside of Charlotte.
You may also wish to earn up to 3.0 graduate credits while you “Rev up learning @ your library.”
Explore b there today!
Registration levels designed to keep you in the driver’s seat:
Spectator (Lane 1): For non-members and non-conference registrants who just want to have a look around, AASL has designed access to for you to join the community and network with your peers.
Pit Stop (Lane 2): For AASL members, b there special benefits have been created to allow members to not only network with peers, but also gain access to select conference content and discussions.
Track Pass (Lane 3): Gain full access to b there. National conference registration automatically gets you a Track Pass. Can’t make it to Charlotte? b there from anywhere and register for a track pass today!
Go to http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/conferencesandevents/national/charlotte2009/forattendees/bthere/bthere.cfm for more information and pricing.
Acclaimed Author Linda Sue Park – Awarded the Empire State Award – Presenting at AASL Author Breakfast! October 22, 2009
Posted by Jay Bansbach in : Check this out! , 1 comment so far*News Flash*
Internationally acclaimed author, Linda Sue Park, is the recipient of this year’s Empire State Author Award—a New York state award celebrating a living author’s collective contribution to young adult and children’s literature. Linda Sue joins the distinguished ranks of past award winners, that include, Maurice Sendak (first time recipient in 1990), Madeline L’Engle, (1991) and Richard Peck (1997).
Linda Sue nabbed the 2002 Newbery Medal for her unusual historical novel, A Single Shard, set in 12th century Korea. With twelve published novels to her credit, she is also the creator of picture books, poems, short stories and the on-going chapter installments to, “A Long Walk to Water,” published by Breakfast Serials and printed in newspapers nation-wide.
Well known for her lyrical literary style, Linda Sue’s stories recreate time and place, lacing the past with tangible conflicts and humane emotions.
We look forward to hearing Linda Sue present at the AASL Author Breakfast on Sunday, November 8th, from 8:30 – 11:00. She shares the podium with notable novelist Richard Peck.
October Is National Information Literacy Awareness Month October 13, 2009
Posted by Wendy Stephens in : Check this out! , 1 comment so far“Over the past decade, we have seen a crisis of authenticity emerge. We now live in a world where anyone can publish an opinion or perspective, whether true or not, and have that opinion amplified within the information marketplace. At the same time, Americans have unprecedented access to the diverse and independent sources of information, as well as institutions such as libraries and universities, that can help separate truth from fiction and signal from noise.”
With that message reinforcing the value of information agencies and professionals in an era of ubiquitous access to online sources of ranging quality, President Barack Obama proclaimed National Information Literacy Awareness Month at the requests of Senator John Kerry and the late Senator Edward Kennedy, who noted in their August 1 letter of support that that information literacy was particularly critical “at a time when more and more information comes from the Internet and media.” The annual focus on information skills is a project of National Forum on Information Literacy (NFIL), an organization established by the American Library Association in 1989 “dedicated to mainstreaming information literacy and practice worldwide.”
The month-long national spotlight on these essential skills provides an ideal opportunity for re-tooling our own professional toolkits. For more print and online resources, consider the AASL Essential Links wiki for Information Literacy and, for high school librarians, the ALA INFOLIT discussion list and the ACRL Information Literacy Standards for Higher Education provide useful frameworks for preparing out students for what’s next. As the NFIL notes, the month-long focus can remind “every American, every employer, every government agency and every institution, in every community across this land, that having an information literate citizenry will help pave the way to 21st century economic prosperity, wider educational opportunity, fairer social equity, stronger national security, and an enhanced quality of life for every American.”
Search Literacy via Google September 23, 2009
Posted by jhurd in : Check this out!, Technology , 3commentsGoogle is committed to helping teachers. Their latest iteration of that is the recent release of a search curriculum, including lesson plans, multimedia power point presentations and a webinar explaining how to teach search in the classroom.
The presentations can be viewed online or downloaded, and once downloaded they are editable should you, for example, decide you don’t need to teach your 8th graders how to search patents.
Tied to the ISTE technology standards the lessons are broken into three modules: understanding search engines, web search strategies and Google features. For obvious reasons, the modules all focus on the Google search engine; the tech-savvy librarian would want to add information on other search engines, web portals, etc.
Similarly, check any presentations for bits of information that may not be relevant to other search engines. For example, the “Search Toolbox” presentation states on slide six, “Quotations are rarely needed. Use them only when necessary.” Now, that is arguably true with Google or Yahoo, both of whom use AND as their default operator; Alta Vista, however, uses OR which could make quotation-less phrase searching more problematic.
Nevertheless, these are not only a good resource for librarians, but also a wonderful resource for classroom teachers who may not have access to trained library staff. They could also be used as catch-up tutorials for those students who missed class during your search strategies lesson. Best of all, as with all Google tools, the plans and presentations are free. It’s hard to beat that.
Peer Reviewers Needed for Broadband Technology Opportunities Program September 2, 2009
Posted by Melissa Jacobsen in : Check this out!, Opportunities , add a commentPlease Note: If you have applied or intend to apply, you cannot participate…
The following is a text-only press release from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). An HTML version of this release can be viewed on the agency’s Web site at http://www.imls.gov/news/2009/082709.shtm.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2009
IMLS Press Contacts
202-653-4632
Jeannine Mjoseth
Mamie Bittner
Peer Reviewers Needed for Broadband Technology Opportunities Program
Washington, DC-The Institute of Museum and Library Services, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), encourages interested library and museum professionals to review grant applications for the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). This $4.5 billion broadband grant program is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which seeks to bring universal broadband access to all Americans while creating jobs and stimulating the economy.
NTIA needs reviewers with relevant expertise, from diverse backgrounds, regions and experience in at least one of the following areas:
- Expertise in broadband deployment and infrastructure.
- Experience with personal computers, software, and local area networks.
- Experience in community technology and digital inclusion programs.
- Experience reviewing grant applications from nonprofit and public agencies.
- Expertise in education, health care, disability access, economic and workforce development, libraries, human and social services, and/or affordable housing.
- Experience with outreach to targeted populations, including youth, senior citizens, low income communities of color, Native Americans, immigrant communities, non-English speakers, and the disabled.
- Understanding of how broadband access enables communities to fully participate in the 21st century economy.
Reviewers will participate remotely and will not be required to attend any in-person meetings. A 90-minute training session/webinar will be provided for reviewers and repeated several times to allow for scheduling flexibility. Participants will review no more than 10 applications, each requiring 60 to 90 minutes, and participate in a 2-hour wrap-up conference call.
If you are interested, please send your resume to BTOPreviewer@ntia.doc.gov; reviewer training sessions will begin next week.
If you have additional questions, please call (888) 861-5509 or e-mail BTOPreviewer@ntia.doc.gov for further information.
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About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute’s mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.
