Library Volunteers

February is Library Lovers Month, a good time to thank and recognize library and other volunteers.  Marin librarian Tom Kaun asked for library volunteer thank you note cards and recognition items. The Library Advocate takes requests! See designs at http://www.cafepress.com/csla/7817620

Library Love at the Library Advocacy Store

The Library Advocacy Store is offering a number of items in celebration of Library Lover's Month (February).  Hearts galore are available on journals, note cards, and wall images at cafepress.com/csla. Promote reading, books, and library FRIENDS in February and all year long.
  

Read Across America - March 2 - Dr. Seuss' Birthday

Each year, the California Teachers Association sends me the CTA/NEA Read Across America press kit.  It arrived today. "Sink Your Teeth into a Good Book" is the 2012 theme.  Read Across America is celebrated on March 2, Dr. Seuss' Birthday.  Materials from the press kit are also online at cta.org


The California School Library Association (CSLA) has contributed a list of recommended reading.


CTA's sponsors for READ ACROSS AMERICA are:

Major League Soccer teams LA Galaxy and Chivas USA (new)

American Federation of Television & Radio Artists	First Financial Credit Union
Barnes & Noble	Los Angeles County Fire Department
California Library Association	Scholastic
California Professional Firefighters	See’s Candy
California School Library Association	Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes Restaurants

National Libraries Day (United Kingdom)

National Libraries Day is devoted to all types of libraries, library users, staff, and supporters across the United Kingdom.  It is celebrated on February 2, 2012.


There are several wonderful posters available for downloading.  Check them out!


Libraries and individuals that celebrate NLD are encourage to tweet about it to the following hashtag: #NLD12


Spread the word!  Get ready to celebrate!

Joy of Books video

Kudos to Sean Ohlenkamp and his wife, who spent many nights moving, stacking, and animating books at Type bookstore in Toronto (883 Queen Street West, (416) 366-8973). Magical music was composed by Grayson Matthews (http://www.graysonmatthews.com/).  The "Joy to Books" is a joy to watch and hear.


Here is an earlier video, "Organizing the Bookcase".  This attempt whetted their appetite for the more elaborate video (above).

Page Turner Video

This fun YouTube Video was shared on Facebook by California teacher librarian Tom Kahn.  Here is information from YouTube about the production.


Music by The Jews Brothers Band - http://jewsbrothers.com
The track "Tchavolo Swing" is on iTunes: http://bit.ly/xqHW39

Joseph Herscher takes a sip of his coffee, pulling string thereby tipping paintings. Balls roll down paintings, lighting burner to boil water causing books to tip. Vase and computer get knocked off the table, releasing tape to open front page of newspaper.

National Mentoring Month - January

January is National Mentoring Month. Given the library is a popular destination of mentors and mentees, it makes sense for public libraries to recognize their role in supporting these teams.  Celebrate this quiet but important role!  Did you know that the President of the United States issued a proclamation making this National Mentoring Month and that libraries are mentioned in the second paragraph?  Here is that sentence:


"At school and at home, in the library and on the field, mentors lift our youth toward their goals and ambitions.  As a teacher, a relative, or a trusted friend, a mentor's steady and dependable support can inspire a child to strive for success and instill in them the confidence to achieve their full potential."


January 26, 2012 is a special day of recognition of mentors.


Some mentoring programs have found the "Mentor, Mentee: Building Futures, Learning Together" graphic design and have ordered journals to give at recognition events later this month. The design includes an older and younger person comfortably reading together, snacking on m&m candies (mentor & mentee), library card alongside the young person, technology mixed in with print books.  Setting? Looks like a library!

The art includes m&m dictionary definitions:


Mentor: 
a wise and trusted counselor or teacher, an influential senior sponsor or supporter.


Mentee:
a person who is guided by a mentor.

Big Eye Reader Mini-Bookmarks

Collect them all!  Entertain young readers with fun mini-bookmarks that feature Big Eye Reader characters. The bookmarks are available through the California Campaign for Strong School Libraries, a project of the CSLA Foundation.


There are eleven characters so far, but how many more will join the others this year? Tweet about your favorite character or suggest one @4Libraries

Holiday Tree of Readers Advisory Books

Petaluma High School Teacher Librarian Connie Williams alerted me to this creative way or display reference books -- old, green leather bound sets of the index to journal articles were used to create a Christmas tree. Book Tree WIN is the article name. See http:wins.failblog.org/2011/12/15/epic-win-photos-book-tree-win/


see more WIN - Epic Win Photos and Videos

Do Libraries Lend Fundraising Tools?

We've heard of tool-lending libraries.  Why not fundraising tool-lending libraries?  


Do you know of any libraries or organizations that have fundraising tools like wishing wells/coin tosses to loan to schools & nonProfits for fundraising? 

For example, what would be the reaction to a team of students bringing a wishing well to a Homecoming football game or all home games to collect change for the school library, to "Change the Story" about how the school libraries of the 21st century are different -- books, eBooks, computers, wifi, etc.  Students could be dressed up as literary characters or in school colors.  Or, kick off the coin toss fund raiser with a school library book fair and then take it on the road.  Or rotate the schools.  Keep loaning out the coin toss to drive up public awareness.


Each county or community should get right on this idea.  Make it a New Years Resolution.  We all have extra change in pockets, change purses, jam jars and drawer bottoms.  Other ideas?

Library Quotes

The American Library Association's advocacy site, "I Love Libraries" includes access to a database of library quotes and tips on how to effectively use the quotes. One of the suggestions is to use them for making bookmarks.  Recommendation:  add a link to bookmark templates for WORD and for Adobe Illustrator.


The site also links to its partners, including its "Authors as Advocates" program.  Thanks go to 2010-2011 ALA President Roberta Stevens!  This is a great legacy. The author videos in support of public libraries are well done, with an emphasis on employment resources for the public.  Wish a few videos specifically addressed the plight of school libraries at every level: elementary, middle, high, and higher education.  Hope each new ALA president will keep growing and enhancing the "Authors as Advocates" program.

Jazz Animoto Promo for "Big-Eye Readers"

Animoto music videos -- especially those less than 30 seconds -- are ideal for capturing the attention of the public today! Here is a new fun one that promotes both the "Big-Eye Readers" characters and the Library Advocacy Store.




Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Little Free Library

Here is a wonderful little library movement, started in Minnesota.  Build your own little library or adopt one.
It is called LittleFreeLibrary and it's mission is: 

To promote literacy and the love of reading
 by building free book exchanges worldwide.
To build a sense of community as we share
 skills, creativity and wisdom across generations. 
To build more than 2,510 libraries around the world--more than Andrew Carnegie!

Congressional Hearings on the SKILLS ACT

On October 17, 2011, the American School Library Association (AASL) held a congressional briefing in Washington, DC on "Education Reform and the SKILLS ACT: An Analysis of 21st Century School Librarians and Their Impact on Career and College Readiness".  Presentations were in conjunction with Representative Rush Holt (NJ) and Senator Jack Reed (RI).  


A number of speakers brief members of Congress at Congressional Hearings on the SKILLS ACT: 

• Carl Harvey, school librarian, North Elementary School (Ind.), AASL president
• Donna L. Haye, assistant superintendent, Atlantic City Public Schools (N.J.), an AASL Distinguished School Administrator
• William A. Mayer, university librarian, American University (D.C.), international speaker and leader on the changing face of services in libraries
• Kathy Mortimer, parent from Henrico County Public Schools (Va.) an AASL National School Library Program of the Year
• Connie Williams, National Board Certified Teacher Librarian, Petaluma High School (Calif.), AASL legislative committee chair

The AASL has created a number of supporting documents and videos on the briefings at http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/aaslissues/advocacy/briefing.cfm

The bottom line is that there is an important role for strong school libraries from elementary through college, if we want our students to be effective and creative users of information in class, college and careers.  Dollars for job creation should be directed to schools for strengthening school library teams, providing more student access to school libraries and teacher librarians.  It makes sense when you know the story of what 21st century school libraries look like.  See the AASL Standards for 21st Century Learners and individual state standards such as California's Model School Library Standards.

Big-Eye Readers - New Characters

The California Campaign for Strong School Libraries has added two new characters to its collection and thanks to high votes from an earlier poll, it has created a coloring page contest for libraries and any establishment that serves children and loves reading. Print the PDF or png by visiting csla.net and search "Big-Eye Readers".  Suggest new characters by taking the poll.


Another high vote from the poll is the interest in using the individual characters in library newsletters or librarian columns in school or local publications.  All that we ask is that if you use the readers, you properly acknowledge the California Campaign for Strong School Libraries at librarycampaign.csla.net  To request individual images in png format for your publications, contact Library Advocate at info@csla.net

The new Big-Eye Reader characters have been added to the Campaign's LIBRARY [ADVOCACY] STORE.

Paper Sculptures Advocate for Libraries, Words, Ideas

Retired California teacher librarian Jamie Boston alerted school librarians to a mysterious set of paper sculptures left in Scotland libraries, in support of libraries.  Every so often, another intricate piece of library art appeared in Edinburgh libraries, the Scottish Storytelling Center, Edinburgh International Book Festival and other public places. 

One of my favorite designs is a cup of tea and tea bag (right) that has these words: 

To @edbookfest 'A gift' This is for you in support of libraries, books, words, ideas...... & festivals xx

• Teabag filled with cut out letters, on the tag of which are the words "by leaves we live". 
• The cup on the top has a swirl of words which read " Nothing beats a nice cup of tea (or coffee) and a really good BOOK"
• On the 'tray' next to the cupcake it says "except maybe a cake as well".

See http://community.thisiscentralstation.com/_Mysterious-paper-sculptures/blog/4991767/126249.html

Monkey King Mug Gene Luen Yang - Monkey King LIBRARY STORE

American Born Chinese graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang features a wild and crazy Monkey King. What a way to wake up with a jolt of java and Monkey King demanding you to Read! Know! Grow! He is such a cool king, and Gene generously donated this image in support of literacy and libraries. Thank you!

Gene Luen Yang is the award winning Author-illustrator/teacher of several comic books under the name of Humble Comics. Check out his website at http://geneyang.com/

Big-Eyed Readers Coloring Page

What is the most popular use for the Big-Eyed Readers?  According to those who took the poll, the answer is a kid's coloring page.  What a fun way to get kids and parents thinking about books and reading.  Copies are free and available by writing to the California Campaign for Strong School Libraries at info@csla.net

Other popular uses for the images (according to the poll) is use as headers in library blogs and school newsletters. A PNG image of the four (top) readers is also available from the California Campaign for Strong School Libraries.  The graphic designs are also available on various products at the Campaign's LIBRARY STORE.

Library of Congress Documentary

Here is a good C-SPAN documentary for your library: The Library of Congress.  
It covers:

• The Great Hall, Reading Room , and exterior of the Jefferson Building
• Some of the treasures among its books, maps, photos, and presidential papers
• The History of the Library of Congress and its Jefferson Building
• The Jefferson Library and other treasures of the Rare Book and Special Collections Division
• The painstaking care of the Library’s collections
• The use of technology to reveal new information about historical documents

Read for the Record

District Library Media Supervisor for Visalia Unified School District, George Pilling, alerted California school library teams to Read for the Record. The book this year is Llama, Llama Red Pajama, and the goal is to read it aloud to 2 million kids on October 6th.

This is a good opportunity to tell the story about the importance of access to books and strong school libraries.

BURN BOOKS

Most Americans have read science fiction author Ray Bradbury's book and movie "Fahrenheit 451" in school.  Bradbury is known for lots of great quotes.  The one about burning books is especially timely today, given the steadily shrinking budgets for our academic, public and school libraries.

This is a great conversation starter and appropriate for classrooms, libraries and board rooms. Remind your friends and families about the importance of reading -- pick up a message mug!

Big-Eyed Readers Ask "What Are You Reading?"

What are you reading? We want to know! What a great conversation starter.
See the new "What Are You Reading?" design series at cafepress.com/designclass and select individual reading characters or several together.  These big-eyed readers peek over their books, taking time to listen to what books you are reading.  Enjoy!

Please tell us which character is your favorite by taking our 4-question POLL.  Thank you!

Linda Darling-Hammond Addresses Lack of Funding for School Libraries

From AASL Hotlinks (September 2011):

Former Presidential Advisor Linda Darling-Hammond Addresses Lack of Funding for School Libraries In a recent speech at the Save Our Schools March in Washington, D.C. Stanford University Education Professor and former advisor to President Obama on education, Linda Darling-Hammond explained the extent of the trouble public education is in, and mentioned the lack of funding for school libraries. “We are here to say it is not acceptable for the wealthiest country in the world to be cutting millions of dollars from schools serving our neediest students; to be cutting teachers by the tens of thousands, to be eliminating art, music, PE, counselors, nurses, librarians, and libraries (where they weren’t already gone, as in California)…” she said.http://ed.stanford.edu/news/darling-hammond-mess-we-are

Teenagers Are Reading: Keeping Book Industry Afloat?

The other day, Dr. Stephen Krashen shared this post with California School Library staff and supporters: Sara Stevenson presents evidence that teens are indeed reading and might even be "keeping the book industry afloat."

California teacher librarians have responded with an immediate and enthusiastic "yes", students are reading and love books and their libraries (school and public).  Now, get the word to parents and policymakers to stop cutting budgets and support strong school libraries!  Learn what a strong school library is by going to the California Campaign for Strong School Libraries site.  Learn the minimum standards for school libraries and demand that your school meets or exceeds the standards.  Promote and advocate for implementation of model school library standards.

Building Futures: Public Library as Destination

YMCA mentoring program "Building Futures" includes public libraries as key destinations for mentors and their young mentees.  Library visits make sense, given the weekly year-long relationship building and mentoring that adults and young people experience.  Mentoring images often show fun activities like the zoo, sports games, or amusement park rides but visiting the local library for the first time, getting a library card, finding a special favorite corner of the library is a comfortable routine that builds future library lovers. Enjoy the video:



Note from Imperial County Free Library Director Connie Barrington on how her library system works with a mentoring program: "I am very proud of our partnership with the Foster Grandparent program in Imperial County, run by Catholic Charities. The Library staff have provided training for working on literacy, we are utilizing a few volunteer grandparents this summer as volunteers and our partnership with the Probation Dept., the Juvenile hall staff and the FGPs assigned to Juvie hall is exemplary. I worked with a small budget provided by Probation and created a special library collection just for Juvenile Hall. The FGPs handle circulation. We have also jointly raised funds for other support for them, such as $ from a local prisoner’s group that bought a “boom box” so the FGPs can utilize ICFL audio books for literacy support. ICFL materials are loaned to the FGPs for use with their “grandchildren” and FGPs refer the children to local libraries."

Cal Ripken - Library Card Sign-Up Month Honorary Chair

This September, baseball Hall of Famer and author Cal Ripken will hit a home run by encouraging children to get the most important school supply of all: a library card. 


As the Honorary Chair of Library Card Sign-up Month (September), Cal Ripken has donated his image to print and audio public service announcements (PSAs). Sample media tools are available to remind the public of all the resources available for free with a library card. Tools include a sample press release, newsletter article, proclamation, and PSA scripts.... These are available in English and Spanish language.
- American Library Association Public Information Office, July 12


Many students, from elementary to high school grade levels, do not yet have a library card.  Thanks to budget crunches in most schools and community colleges, subscription databases are only available through their local public library system.


Is this a good time of year to ask community leaders to show off their library card?  If so, be sure to give them enough time to renew or get one so they can be proactive and advocate for library card sign-up month.

Identifying Brand Advocates for Libraries

Here are highlights from the June Panel presentation by Silicon Valley American Marketing Association chapters.  The event was titled:   “The Next Step in Social: Beyond Listening and Engagement”.  I'll try to relate this marketing discussion to library advocacy.

Moderator: Chris Arens [Catalyst s+f], influencer, author and marketing/ad agency veteran

•         Chris is revising his textbook on advertising 101, Contemporary Advertising.
•        His company, Mindtime, is focused on understanding the drivers of consumer behavior.
•        He says now is the Age of Enlightenment II, with major institutional changes in several big industries: Music, Photography, Publishing, Personal computing, Advertising & Marketing. Librarians are well-aware of these shifts, especially in publishing and personal computing.
•        There is a fundamental shift in our world, thanks to 3 revolutions: technology revolution, data revolution, and transparency revolution.
•        Companies now need to think of individual people, not market segments or groups.  People have brand relationships, so businesses need to learn about individuals, especially brand advocates.
•        Brand advocates self-identify themselves, go out of their way to recommend products (like book recommendations) or businesses, and they move business!  Learn how know who the advocates are because 90% people buy based on recommendations from people they know; 70% buy based on consumer opinions posted online.  It is about building lasting relationships.
•        Give your advocate a platform from which to address people.  [CSLA Bestsellers, CCfSSL supporters, FRIENDS of the LIBRARY members need to be given a platform so they can passionately advocate for libraries.]
•        Tenets of good relationships: RESPECT, trust, honesty, accountability, and support.

Panelists: 

Maria Poveromo, Director of Social Media, Adobe: Her goal is to identify the most passionate Adobe advocates.  In PR, she used to identify gatekeepers and journalists, but now she brings in the voice of the customer.  Adobe has a CS Ambassadors group on LINKEDIN.  CS=creative suite, the name for its suite of design products including Illustrator, In Design and Photoshop.

Laura Messerschmitt, Senior Marketing Manager, Intuit: Brand advocates are in the company’s “Intuit Inner Circle”.  They identify brand advocates via their Net Promoter Surver, where the key question is “On a scale of 0-10, how do you feel about the product (QuickBooks)?” Anyone who scores 9 or 10 gets followed up and asked to post a recommendation to Amazon Reviews.  This is a popular and easy way to identify top advocates and give them a specific way to advocate for the product.  Survey membership each year, invite members to use your advocacy tools.

Recently, Intuit pre-briefed their brand advocates before an ad campaign so they could help defend the company if needed.  In the old days, the company used to only pre-brief journalists. Library associations could pre-brief members about upcoming news releases; Public libraries could pre-brief FRIENDs or Donors, give sneak previews of upcoming events or news.

Rob Fuggetta, Founder and CEO, Zuberance:  - Apparently his company is very well respected as a company that studies and tracts social media.  Uses R.O.A – return on advocacy (media value) rather than ROI.

Susan Etlinger, Consultant, Altimeter Group: – Her paper on how to measure softer metrics, like relationships (social analytics) is about to be published.  It will be on the Altimeter website and available via Creative Commons.    She says a lot is measurable:

1. Brand health
2. Marketing optimization – cmo person
3. Top line revenue – are we getting benefit from Facebook, Twitter
4. Bottom line operating efficiency – people “sell” to one another via social networking
5. Customer experience – was customer happy?
6.  IDH – innovation, crowd sourcing ideas 

__________

Other/Observations:

           Do not “brand” your advocacy program and urge people to “JOIN”.  Better to say something like “If you like libraries and librarians, let us know” or “If you like libraries and librarians, here are tools for you to help share our message."  or "Say "YES" to libraries!  Read how you can add your voice...."

·      

      Give brand advocates tools so they can better advocate for you.  A tool could be an online forum, a way to submit comments.  It could be key messages and research findings.  How are you helping your library brand advocates?

·      Brand Advocates go out of their way to recommend.

·      Don’t just focus on ROI (return on investment).

Questions:

·      How to identify brand advocates for strong school libraries, the Campaign LIBRARY STORE, or any library?  Survey?  Put you thinking caps on.

·      CSLA and CCfSSL site and FACEBOOK pages – what do visitors get in terms of an experience when they visit the page?  Is it rewarding, interesting, engaging? How to turn Facebook “likes” into something more.  "Like" is not necessarily a recommendation, let alone an indication of a brand advocate.

Lash Mob Freeze frame: Celebration of National Library Week

Here's a fun way to celebrate National Library Week, April 10-16, 2011.
All communities could do this!  Public and school libraries.



From American Libraries Direct: "Becky Plimpton, director of the Joshua Hyde Public Library in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, brought together about 75 people at the Holyoke Mall April 10 for a freeze mob session promoting National Library Week. Just after 4:20 p.m., the group took a spot and froze in place with book in hand (or on the floor) for five minutes."

Follett Challenge - student video contest

Follett is having a student video contest.  Here is a video worth voting for!  See the Follett Challenge: an invitation to the education community to promote the role that school libraries play in encouraging and developing information literacy and student engagement. 


There are six prizes, ranging from $10,000 to $35,000.  Winners are determined by votes. Check them all out.  Voting is this summer.

Contest details

Animoto video about art available on the LIBRARY STORE

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Reading Friends/Listening Cat Mugs and More at LIBRARY STORE

Shop for Mothers Day mugs and more at the California Campaign LIBRARY STORE.  There are more than 20 images to choose from, each with the message "READ. KNOW. GROW."

Images are on mugs, water bottles, keepsake boxes, and a full line of T-shirts for moms and children.  Look for your favorite childrens book illustrator or image.  Start your collection today.

Artists (as of April 2011):

American graphic novelist/illustrator Kazu Kibuishi donated a pink reading rabbit to promote reading and libraries.

2.     Library cat says Read.Know.Grow. Aliki writes and illustrates many well-loved books and has donated two wonderful library cat illustrations. 

3.     Marianne Wallace is a writer and illustrator of children's middle grade non-fiction nature books.  Marianne has donated images of books with sunflowers.  One is a book-as-flower in a pot. Another is a stack of books with sunflowers.

4.     Caroline Arnold's big, beautiful Panda offers words to ponder: Read.Know.Grow.

5.     Joe Cepeda has done illustrations for magazines as well as for children's books. Joe donated a night-time image of young children outside, searching for something… using books to light the way.

6.     Marla Frazee says "There isn't any guessing when it comes to how much, or if, children like a given book. If a book bores them, they will get up and find something else to do." See her wonderful magical reading tree.

7.     David Shannon is an award-winning author and illustrator of many highly praised books for children. "No, David" is a Caldecott Honor book.

8.     Brian Selznick has illustrated many books for children, including Frindle by Andrew Clements, The Doll People by Ann Martin and Laura Godwin, Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride by Pam Muñoz Ryan. See his image of a child carrying a banner “Strong School Libraries = Strong Students”.

 Moonlight cow and Farm cow illustrations have been donated by Steve Gray in support of libraries. Steve Gray’s cartoon characters have been seen in digital media, broadcast, and print publication.

Sophie Blackall, illustrator of the Ivy & Bean books, supports libraries. See her library storytime art.

Ben Boos has created a powerful key and book illustration with the message, “Read.Know.Grow.” 

Reading in a tree? How fun!  See book Art by Sarajo Frieden in support of libraries.

Spaceheadz illustration by Steven Weinberg in collaboration with Jon Scieszka. 

Sea Captain by Bob Logan carries the message, "Read.Know.Grow." in support of libraries. His newest book is called “ Sea of Bath”.
   
Blue Guys by Michael Slack carries the message: "Read. Know. Grow." See the boy’s imagination as he is surrounded by books and a computer. His recent book, Monkey Truck, is adorably hilarious. You can see his book trailer at vimeo.com/18605836.

Tom Lichtenheld has donated his fun "Duck Rabbit" illustration in support of California School Libraries. 

Make a commitment to check the site weekly to see what has been added.  Each time you promote the Campaign and its LIBRARY STORE, you make another person or persons aware of the importance of strong school libraries.  Proceeds support the public awareness campaign.  Learn more about the issues, the research, and the crisis at http://librarycampaign.csla.net

Kid Book Reviews - An Open House Treat (FUN & FREE)

Free, fun, fabulous idea of the week:

(Thanks to Alfie Cohen, Steven Krashen, and HS Teacher Librarian Connie Williams)

"Early this week Dr. Krashen sent out a great idea from Alfie Cohen about putting book reviews on lockers, etc. I loved it and since this evening was Open House I thought I'd give it a try. I asked many English teachers if they'd have their students write a 'quick write' that started:
[name] is reading.....   and then whatever they wanted to write about."

"With only 3 days to put this out to them... they were amazing! They (classroom teachers) loved the idea and sent lots and lots of them.  I think that they'll continue it.  What a great way to reinforce to teachers just how much kids like to read when they get to read what they choose. I plastered the hall to the library and put a sign Board at the end of the hall saying:"

"My T.A.s (teaching assistants) put them on lockers, on doors, and all over. I included some QR coded book talk signs too... lots of parents looked at them, and many kids dragged their parents over to their own reviews.   It was lots of fun.  I think that what I'll do now after taking these down is to practice "random acts of book reviews" and just post some every now and then in various places around the school."

"Kids wrote all over the map from Kafka to Dr Seuss to Superman....  it was fun."

Connie Williams, TL at Petaluma HS

Two Teachers and a Microphone -- Protests against LAUSD Pink Slips

Angry Teacher Rap about Getting Fired - two rap videos by Two Teachers and a Microphone productions.  What is happening in Los Angeles is happening across California.  It is a total meltdown.  Tons of teachers, including hundreds of Teacher Librarians and Library Assistants, are getting eliminated.  


What is wrong with this picture??? California needs to CREATE JOBS, INCREASE LITERACY, BUILD STRONG STUDENTS. 

Illustrators Galore -- and many more!

Thanks to Patrick Nelson, CEO of Mrs. Nelsons Library Supplies, there are now a dozen illustrators who have donated their art in order to promote libraries and support the California Campaign for Strong School Libraries.  Artwork is now available on mugs, notecards, T-shirts, and more at the Campaign LIBRARY STORE.  New items and artwork is added regularly.  Urge your friends, family and book lovers to visit and shop regularly.  These are wonderful items for gifts and gift baskets, recognition, and simply fun for your collection.

Here are highlights of the four newest artists.  Please be sure to thank them all.  The most recent additions include Steve Gray's two hilarious cow illustrations: Moonlight Cows and Farm Cows.  If you are crazy about cows, these images are especially for you.  Both images say "Read. Know. Grow."

Ben Boos, noted for his Fantasy and Sword illustrations, contributed a fantastic Key and Book image linked with the words "Read. Know. Grow."  Underneath the image is a statement to "save California school libraries."  Yes!  Thank you.  Save us!

Sophie Blackall has given us a beautiful library scene, with a teacher librarian reading to a class of young students.  Across the top, over the tops of the children, are the words "Strong Libraries Build Lifelong Learners"  Yes!  So true.  Tell the story.

Sarajo Frieden has given us a fun tree filled with children, reading.  Words are "Read. Know. Grow." These words are so perfect for all students, all schools, all readers, all lifelong learners.

»	Kazu Kibuishi says Read.Know.Grow.
»	Kazu Kibuishi for Libraries
»	Kazu Kibuishi Rabbit for School Libraries
»	Aliki says Read. Know. Grow.
»	Aliki for Libraries (ALL)
»	Aliki for School Libraries
»	Marianne Wallace READ.KNOW.GROW.
»	Marianne Wallace for Libraries (ALL)
»	Marianne Wallace for School Libraries
»	Panda by Caroline Arnold. Read.Know.Grow.
»	Panda Loves Libraries (ALL) by Caroline Arnold
»	Panda for Strong School Libraries. Art by Arnold
»	Read.Know.Grow. Art by Joe Cepeda.
»	Joe Cepeda for Libraries (ALL)
»	Joe Cepeda for School Libraries
»	Read.Know.Grow. Art by Marla Frazee.
»	Marla Frazee for Libraries(ALL)
»	Marla Frazee for School Libraries
»	David Shannon for Libraries
»	David Shannon for School Libraries
»	California Campaign for Strong School Libraries
»	Brian Selznick for Libraries
»	Brian Selznick for School Libraries
»	Brian Selznick for School Libraries = Strong Stude
»	Moonlight Cows by Steve Gray
»	Farm Cows by Steve Gray
»	Sophie Blackall for Libraries
»	Ben Boos for Libraries
»	Art by Sarajo Frieden