In the five plus years of posting to this blog, my all-time favorite "find" is a video thank-you note from 2007. In honor of that video and its creator, I'm giving it another mention. Who is the author of this incredible 2 minute film? The creator indicates that she went on to Film School. Where?
[YouTube references: klinderholm — May 25, 2007 — Green Gables Elementary School Library 8701 West Woodard Drive
Lakewood, CO 80227 Phone: 303-982-8314]
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Role of Libraries - Chart by Minnesota Libraries Collaborative
Libraries play a role in a student's life as well as an adult's life. A chart like Minnesota Libraries Collaborative's "Role of Libraries Pre-K-20 & Beyond: Lifelong Learning" could be modified for each state, with links to State Model School Library Standards. It is rare that school, public, academic, and special library roles are presented alongside one another [outside of libraryland]. It would be even more powerful with images of people of all ages. For more detail, see MINITEX Director Bill DeJohn.
This is the kind of chart I've been imagining for years, but with more grade-level detail and silhouettes of children going up-up-up a staircase or escalator holding both books and digital devices. Now that California is about to get approval for Model School Library Standards, standard could be linked to each step or grade level.
This is the kind of chart I've been imagining for years, but with more grade-level detail and silhouettes of children going up-up-up a staircase or escalator holding both books and digital devices. Now that California is about to get approval for Model School Library Standards, standard could be linked to each step or grade level.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Library Association of the University of California Resolution: Support School Libraries and Librarians!
Impressive Resolution by the Library Association of the University of California to the California School Board of Education:
Be it further resolved that the Librarians Association of the University of California fully supports placing the highest priority on adoption by the State Board of Education and implementation by the school districts of the Model School Library Standards For California Public Schools, Kindergarten through Grade Twelve; and,
Be it finally resolved that the Librarians Association of the University of California affirms the great value of school librarians and up‐to‐date, professionally managed school libraries for the preparation of California students for information researching in higher education institutions, and for informed participation in a democratic society, by forwarding a copy of this resolution to the California Secretary of Education, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the California State Board of Education.
Prepared by Esther Grassian and Miki Goral, LAUC‐LA
Endorsed by the Librarians Association of the University of California, Los Angeles Division, 3 May 2010, for submission to the statewide Librarians Association of the University of California (LAUC).
Adopted with minor revisions by the LAUC Executive Board, May 4, 2010.
LAUC Resolution: Support California School Libraries and Librarians
Adopted May 4, 2010
Adopted May 4, 2010
- Whereas, students in California higher education institutions are expected prior to admission to be prepared to conduct information research and think critically by having had instruction at the secondary school level in identifying, locating, evaluating and using information effectively and ethically; and,
- Whereas, students are overwhelmed with information of all sorts and need guidance in learning how to become "information literate" so that they can identify, locate, evaluate and use information effectively and ethically; and,
- Whereas, a 2001 research study, "Information Competence at UCLA," revealed "that there are many gaps in [undergraduate] students' understanding of resources and [information researching] methods." (Caravello, Patti S., Borah, Eloisa Gomez, Herschman, Judith, & Mitchell, Eleanor. (2001). Information Competence at UCLA: Report of a Survey Project. UC Los Angeles: UCLA Library.); and,
- Whereas, Faculty Focus group sessions conducted at UCLA in 2005 revealed faculty concern regarding their students' information researching skills: "Most notably [sic] were students' lack of understanding regarding issues surrounding plagiarism and intellectual property; the inability of students to critically evaluate the quality of the material they have found; and students’ lack of understanding of what constitutes the scholarly process (how that differs in different disciplines, how to not only gather information, but analyze it, synthesize what is found and come up with their own interpretation of the material.)" (Kaplowitz, Joan. (2005). Faculty Focus Groups: UCLA Information Literacy Initiative. UC Los Angeles: UCLA Library.); and,
- Whereas, a March 17, 2010 article in American Libraries reports that nearly one‐third of Los Angeles Unified School District librarians have received pink slips (Goldberg, Beverly. "Pink Slips‐‐and Rumors‐‐Fly in L.A." N.p., 17 Mar. 2010. Web. 23 Mar. 2010.; and,
- Whereas, a March 17, 2010 article in School Library Journal reports that all twelve Riverside County School District teacher‐librarians may lose their jobs at the beginning of the next school year (Barack, Lauren. "Riverside, CA, Considers Cutting Last 12 Teacher‐Librarians." School Library Journal 17 Mar. 2010. Web. 23 Mar. 2010; and,
- Whereas, an essay published in the Los Angeles Times on March 21, 2010 does an excellent job of explaining the value and significance of school librarians, as well as information literacy instruction (Scribner, Sara. "Saving the Google Students." Los Angeles Times 21 Mar. 2010.; and,
- Whereas, several international organizations, including, ENSIL, IASL, and IFLA, published “A Library for Every School! A Proclamation” on April 2, 2010, an important document describing the benefits and values of school libraries (European Network for School Libraries and Information Literacy, International Association of School Librarianship, and International Association of Library Federations. “A Library for Every School! A Proclamation,” 2 Apr. 2010. Web. 7 Apr. 2010; and,
- Whereas, at the University of California, librarians try to play catch‐up by teaching guest sessions to undergraduate classes, by preparing workbooks, as well as online tutorials and help guides, and by offering reference in‐person, by phone, email, chat and text messages; and,
- Whereas, the UCLA Library employs approximately 40 FTE public service librarians who serve the needs of 25,614 undergraduates, a ratio of 1 librarian to 640 students; the UC Irvine Library employs approximately 32 FTE public service librarians to serve 21,488 undergraduates, a ratio of 1 librarian to 672 students; UC Riverside employs 22 FTE public service librarians, to meet the needs of 16,996 undergraduates, a ratio of 1 librarian to 772 students, examples that illustrate how daunting this task is and how much higher education needs school libraries and librarians; and,
- Whereas, we not only rely on school libraries and librarians to introduce information literacy concepts to their students, but we also reciprocally help them do so, for instance, by offering an annual UCLA Library workshop for high school and community college librarians to help them learn new information literacy teaching and learning techniques and to introduce them to new tools and information resources that will aid their students and better prepare them for information researching in higher education and for lifelong learning; and,
- Whereas, in schools that employ librarians, the librarians have contributed immensely to this information literacy instruction endeavor through in‐person and online instruction directly to students, and indirectly through teachers; and,
- Whereas, due to budget cuts, many K‐12 school librarians are losing their positions, seriously undermining this effort; and,
- Whereas, in order for school libraries to function effectively and for school librarians to provide essential information literacy instruction , it is imperative that school librarians have a Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) degree and that they administer school libraries; and
- Whereas, adoption by the State Board of Education of Model School Library Standards For California Public Schools, Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, currently being developed by the California State Legislature, would send a strong message of support for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's Executive Order establishing an Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) Digital Literacy Leadership Council (Schwarzenegger, A. Executive order S‐06‐09. Sacramento, CA. Retrieved March 9, 2010); and
- Whereas, these standards are decades overdue; and
- Whereas, adoption of these Standards by the State Board of Education would send a strong message of support for President Obama's compelling proclamation, declaring October 2009 as Information Literacy Awareness Month. Obama, B. (2009) (Presidential Proclamation: National Information Literacy Awareness Month, 2009. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved October 27, 2009 from; and,
Be it further resolved that the Librarians Association of the University of California fully supports placing the highest priority on adoption by the State Board of Education and implementation by the school districts of the Model School Library Standards For California Public Schools, Kindergarten through Grade Twelve; and,
Be it finally resolved that the Librarians Association of the University of California affirms the great value of school librarians and up‐to‐date, professionally managed school libraries for the preparation of California students for information researching in higher education institutions, and for informed participation in a democratic society, by forwarding a copy of this resolution to the California Secretary of Education, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the California State Board of Education.
Prepared by Esther Grassian and Miki Goral, LAUC‐LA
Endorsed by the Librarians Association of the University of California, Los Angeles Division, 3 May 2010, for submission to the statewide Librarians Association of the University of California (LAUC).
Adopted with minor revisions by the LAUC Executive Board, May 4, 2010.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
100 Book Club Award
Here's a good idea from Poway Teacher Librarian Linda Bjork, who runs two school libraries:
"I was doing statistics on Destiny [library automation system] last week, and I came upon a statistic of the most frequent patron and how many books they had checked out this past year. There it was... my top patrons. So I decided to have a little award and I called it the 100 Book Club. At one school I had 11 kids and at my other middle school I had 16 students who had checked out more than 100 books this school year. I made up an award certificate, gathered up some small prizes and food coupons and put them in their homeroom teachers' mailboxes. Then I made school announcements that they were now Members of the 100 Book Club. Lastly, I put signs at the front of the school."
"This was a very simple little recognition. I just thought it was a neat statistic and I ran with it at this time of year. The kids all came in and thanked me. They hadn't realized that they had checked out so many books. Just thought I'd share this little recognition that not only recognizes our frequent readers - but puts the library out there during this awards season."
Hope other teacher librarians jump on this idea and make it an annual tradition. It is an excellent way to recognize students and bring positive visibility to the school library.
"I was doing statistics on Destiny [library automation system] last week, and I came upon a statistic of the most frequent patron and how many books they had checked out this past year. There it was... my top patrons. So I decided to have a little award and I called it the 100 Book Club. At one school I had 11 kids and at my other middle school I had 16 students who had checked out more than 100 books this school year. I made up an award certificate, gathered up some small prizes and food coupons and put them in their homeroom teachers' mailboxes. Then I made school announcements that they were now Members of the 100 Book Club. Lastly, I put signs at the front of the school."
"This was a very simple little recognition. I just thought it was a neat statistic and I ran with it at this time of year. The kids all came in and thanked me. They hadn't realized that they had checked out so many books. Just thought I'd share this little recognition that not only recognizes our frequent readers - but puts the library out there during this awards season."Hope other teacher librarians jump on this idea and make it an annual tradition. It is an excellent way to recognize students and bring positive visibility to the school library.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Read. Know. Grow. - Graphic Design
Years ago, when I was a part of a Mother-Daughter Book Club, I bought a set of dark green coffee mugs with a girl reading. The style of the art was white on dark green, but it could have been on any dark color. Loved the style. So, it is no surprise that I experimented with the design for my "wildcard" assignment during my Adobe Illustrator course. Check it out -- I added technology, a boy, and more books for them to read. Next, maybe I'll try a design to promote Athletes as Readers and Leaders.
Libary Advocacy - Video Contest
The American Library Association is holding a video contest for Library Advocacy Day, which is scheduled for June 29, 2010 in Washington, DC. Today is a good time to create your own video and submit it.Library Advocacy Day from ALA Washington on Vimeo.
Details on Library Advocacy Day for school librarians.
Facing Cuts, NYPL Uses Improv Everywhere for Viral Advocacy Video | American Libraries Magazine
The New York Public Library is threatened with severe budget cuts. One way to get attention for this crisis was to engage Improv Everywhere to create drama and capture it on video on behalf of NYPL's "Don't Close the Book on Libraries" campaign. Check out the fun video and the faces of the many unsuspecting library users. See: Facing Cuts, NYPL turns to Improv Everywhere for Viral Advocacy Video | American Libraries Magazine
Moms, Kids, and Strong School Libraries
The California School Library Association is reaching out to local Mother's Clubs to engage young mothers early about the importance of strong school libraries. CSLA writes: "Our children lead us into all sorts of new things to learn and fight for. Our children grow fast and soon will be headed to school. Your school libraries look lovely, but they are in serious trouble and need strong parent friends and advocates -- NOW."
CSLA invites Mothers' Club to learn how to become advocates for their child's school libraries and provides two stories for their membership newsletters. ______
STORY #1:
Hello moms!
Reading is one of the best things that parents and kids can do together starting right after birth! Board books, cloth books and cuddle time with mom or dad gets kids off to a good start.
As children grow and start school, their school library is one of the best places they can go to to get great books and other materials. School libraries reach all the kids in a school.
But all is not well in California school libraries. Budget cuts are sending teacher librarians back into classrooms or into retirement. They are being replaced by classified personnel, or by volunteers such as yourselves. Our students need to have the instructional expertise that a teacher librarian can give. If your school had a teacher librarian supported by a clerk then your student would:
- be taught how to effectively use the library to find books of their choice
- be taught how to locate websites appropriate to their subject, reading level and interest
- be taught how to stay safe on the internet
- have a professional there to select books of interest to students in the school, organize them and then help each student find the "just right" book for them each week.
California school libraries are in trouble and they need your help. Learn more how strong school libraries make strong students.
The California School Library Association has produced a CD called "Circulate This! Stories from the school library". This audio journal would make an excellent presentation for your next mother's club meeting. You can download it from ITUNES or via www.csla.net/audio to listen to it streaming. Questions, please contact csla2team@yahoo.com
STORY #2:
Hello moms!
When you tour your child's school for the first time, you'll be shown the school library. It is the heart of the school. It is where groups gather. It is where PTA and committee meetings are held. But ... how does a parent know if there is a strong school library program or a collection of old books that have not been "weeded" for years? The California School Library Association has created a checklist for parents and policymakers. Here are some questions you can ask:
Does the library have:
CSLA invites Mothers' Club to learn how to become advocates for their child's school libraries and provides two stories for their membership newsletters.
STORY #1:
Hello moms!
Reading is one of the best things that parents and kids can do together starting right after birth! Board books, cloth books and cuddle time with mom or dad gets kids off to a good start.
As children grow and start school, their school library is one of the best places they can go to to get great books and other materials. School libraries reach all the kids in a school.
But all is not well in California school libraries. Budget cuts are sending teacher librarians back into classrooms or into retirement. They are being replaced by classified personnel, or by volunteers such as yourselves. Our students need to have the instructional expertise that a teacher librarian can give. If your school had a teacher librarian supported by a clerk then your student would:
- be taught how to effectively use the library to find books of their choice
- be taught how to locate websites appropriate to their subject, reading level and interest
- be taught how to stay safe on the internet
- have a professional there to select books of interest to students in the school, organize them and then help each student find the "just right" book for them each week.
California school libraries are in trouble and they need your help. Learn more how strong school libraries make strong students.
The California School Library Association has produced a CD called "Circulate This! Stories from the school library". This audio journal would make an excellent presentation for your next mother's club meeting. You can download it from ITUNES or via www.csla.net/audio to listen to it streaming. Questions, please contact csla2team@yahoo.com
STORY #2:
Hello moms!
When you tour your child's school for the first time, you'll be shown the school library. It is the heart of the school. It is where groups gather. It is where PTA and committee meetings are held. But ... how does a parent know if there is a strong school library program or a collection of old books that have not been "weeded" for years? The California School Library Association has created a checklist for parents and policymakers. Here are some questions you can ask:
Does the library have:
- A full time, certified school Teacher Librarian and a full time paraprofessional working as a team? This allows the teacher librarian to collaborate with teachers in co-designing instruction which incorporates information literacy into the curriculum.
- Lots of carefully selected books, databases, and other learning resources? Resources must reflect the school curriculum and student recreational reading needs.
- A program which provides instruction and activities for students to use the research process in finding the information they need? Research is a process, not an end product – it is the thinking process which the students benefit from, not the ultimate "find." The "find" is generally forgotten – while the process remains with them forever.
- Technology, including hardware, software, and networking that form a virtual library without walls linking students to the world of information, a cybrary that fully supports the school curriculum, 24/7.
- Its doors open before, during and after school hours, with liberal circulation policies? This means access to the school library, its resources, and staff.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
SuperLibraries - A Wiki
Southern California teacher librarian Marie Slim created a special SuperLibraries wiki, devoted to professional development to strengthen all librarians.Marie states: "Some of our best and brightest, our movers and shakers, have been sidelined by these budget cutbacks. Their SuperLibrary Powers have been frozen in time by Administrators and School Districts who still DON'T KNOW WHAT WE DO!
Collectively, we can share our SuperLibrary Powers, develop new Powers and serve as resources for each other (TL's, LMTechs, TOSA's, classified management, etc). AND we can work to bring back our SuperColleagues.
As their colleague-in-arms, I have created a wiki for ALL CALIFORNIA School Library staff (CSLA, ALA, AASL, CLA, undeclared, anyone) to share their powers and COMMIT to professional development that will strengthen us all! This wiki is also for any of our "sidelined" colleagues to join as well!!!"
ALA Awards, Grants, Scholarships
The American Library Association is huge, has lots of divisions, and even more awards, grants, and scholarships. ALA now has a searchable database. It takes a lot of time and energy to look through the list and even more commitment to apply or nominate a person or project. Often you hear that some awards are not given out because no one applied for them. More frustrating is when you apply, get others to write supporting letters, and then hear nothing -- not even that you didn't make the top candidates list. It means that serious applicants need to follow up. Follow up regularly. Regular feedback from the award/grant/scholarship contact would be appreciated, too.
Below is a sampling of ALA's alphabetical list, but searchable database is better option. This list might inspire a few librarians and library advocates to sharpen their writing talents.
Below is a sampling of ALA's alphabetical list, but searchable database is better option. This list might inspire a few librarians and library advocates to sharpen their writing talents.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
