Call for California Model School Library Standards

California School Library Association President and LAUSD Teacher Librarian Rosemarie Bernier has alerted members that the California Model School Library Standards are not on the State Board of Education May Agenda and the meeting is May 5 – just around the corner! She has called members to action.

• The Model School Library Standards for Students delineate what students should know and be able to do at each grade level or grade span to enable students to succeed in school, higher education, and the workforce.
• Model School Library Program Standards describe base-level staffing, resources, and infrastructure, including technology, required for effective school library programs for students to meet the Model School Library Standards for Students.

The Standards are an essential tool for school districts, administrators, and teacher librarians to use when developing school library programs that meet the needs of 21st century learners.

Watch the video clip of CSLA Past President Connie Williams testifying before the State Board of Education in March. President Mitchell clearly states that the Standards will be on the May Agenda. You must tell State Board of Education President Ted Mitchell (and other Board members) the importance of the Standards to students.

CALL TO ACTION: Call President Ted Mitchell first at (916) 319-0827, then call two (2) other Board members. Click on the SBE link below for the list of Board members and their respective biographies. http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/ms/mm/

Illustrators Join the Fight to Save School Libraries

School Library Journal carried an article by Rocco Staino on "Illustrators Join the Fight to Save School Libraries". The article is based on an interview with CSLA member Marie Slim. Marie is a Teacher Librarian at Troy High School in Fullerton, CA who has created a School Library Advocacy wiki with a great number of outstanding images from illustrators.

Kudos to Marie and the illustrators who have generously given their designs in support of school libraries.

(Indoor) Running for Reading

Visibility. How to keep reading and librarians visible? One way is to have "visibility" as a goal. For example, here is what I did a few months ago and how it is evolving:

February or so: Noticed a SF Chronicle newspaper article about how a San Francisco librarian kept fit, so I sent a comment to the reporter saying how I liked seeing a fellow-librarian in the news and that I exercised while reading fast-action "page-turners" on the treadmill at my local YMCA. I further explained that I was not alone at the YMCA -- many read or listen to audio books while on the stationary bikes, treadmills, incline machines, and stair master.

Late March: The reporter sent me an email apologizing for getting back to me so late, asked for more details about my reading-while-running, said he'd like to run a story about it, and said to expect a call from the photography department.

April: Photography department called and arranged a date and time for sending a photographer to meet me at the YMCA. I hurried and got permission from the YMCA and had a member of the staff assigned to make sure no other members got in the photos (or if so, to get their permission). A week later -- yesterday afternoon -- the photographer assigned to the job met me at the front desk at the agreed upon time. YMCA staffers loved it. My job was to simply go to my regular exercise machine and read, ignoring the reporter. That was easy. I immediately dove back into my Maisie Dobbs mystery book, which took me back in time to post WWI London. Both the reporter and the photographer asked "which" library I worked in and were at a loss for words when I said I worked for a library association as VP-Communications. Not all librarians actually work "in" a library. The reporter said his daughter was an avid reader and that she now had and loves a Kindle -- Did I have one? Not yet, but I do blog, tweet, and such...

June? The photographer said the story was scheduled to run on June 14, but that might change. After all, it is not a story about a fire, earthquake, or other disaster. Who knows if I'll get any additional opportunities to plug reading, libraries, or running-while-reading, once the story runs. Stay tuned!

Words that I hope will appear in the article: library, librarian, California School Library Association, reading, YMCA.

Crisis Webinar: School Libraries

Lots of school librarians across America listened to the"Crisis Webinar" (live or archived), featuring Christopher Harris of School Library Journal and infomancy blog and Buffy Hamilton, the Unquiet Librarian.

Chris' says school librarians need to OWN digital technology and translate information into knowledge. His Top 4 Scary thoughts: cuts will happen; don't be an easy target; It's probably too late (this year's cuts are already decided); and increase student achievement. School librarians need to actively market themselves and their libraries, not just seek others to advocate for us.

Buffy says TLs need to 1) Make what librarians do transparent. Use new media. Create monthly reports with links. 2) Create a participatory learning environment. 4) Tap into the larger learning community via new media. 5) Embrace the librarian's role as advocate for literacy, standards.

Artwork from Kazu Kibuishi: Save School Libraries

Pat Nelson has sent California Teacher Librarian Marie Slim an image from another childrens book illustrator, to help advocate for school libraries. The Kazu Kibuishi art is on Marie's School Library Advocacy Wiki.

Here is his message to Marie Slim: "Since the struggle for school library funding is still being fought, I thought I'd send another piece of artwork to help the cause. This one is from Kazu Kibuishi. He has many books out with Scholastic, most notably the Amulet series (two books now), Copper, and the Flight anthologies. The Amulet books have been optioned for a movie by Will Smith. He is an amazing illustrator and his graphic novels are huge sellers for us. He lives in the Alhambra area and does a lot of events at local stores and schools. I think this would be great as a bookmark or poster." - Pat Nelson

College of San Mateo Announces Athletes as Readers and Leaders Program

The College of San Mateo has announced that it is starting an Athletes as Readers and Leaders* program. Page three of the CSM Library's Spring 2010 issue of its newsletter, "Bulldog's Bookcase" announced: "Coming Soon! Child Care Services Coordinator Louise Piper, Library Director Lorrita Ford, Head Football Coach Bret Pollack and Library Support Specialist Bryan Gerbig recently met to kick off planning for the CSM Athletes as Readers and Leaders Project. CSM athletes will read picture books to children in the Child Development Center to encourage reading and open a dialog about the importance of sports, exercise and academics. The program will also help athletes appreciate their influence as role models."

*Athletes as Readers and Leaders is a program endorsed and promoted by the California School Library Association. CSLA is delighted to see the "best practice" embraced by the College of San Mateo.

WHO Will Enforce Model School Library Standards?

The California State Board of Education requested draft Model School Library Standards in 2009. The Standards should be approved in May 2010. Once the Standards are approved, districts will have blueprints for assessing and building strong school libraries. This is excellent news. Unfortunately, there will be no funding nor requirement for schools to read or implement the Standards. Here are some questions:

• Who will effectively communicate and promote the new Model School Library Standards?
• Is there one individual or organization that school districts respect or listen to?
• Once a district learns of the Standards, how will they use them? Will they be sent to a district curriculum director or planning committee? Or sent to the person in charge of each individual library? Many school districts have systematically reduced library funding, staffing, and programs -- thus there is a need to rebuild California school libraries.
  
• Will the school accrediting commission WASC [Western Association of Schools and Colleges] use the Standards to evaluate and strengthen public school libraries? If so, how?
• Will California colleges or universities call upon "feeder" high schools to provide information and digital literacy graduation requirements?
• Will high schools call upon "feeder" middle schools to provide information and digital literacy instruction so students will be prepared for the rigors of high school research and use of digital resources?
• Will our next Governor or any of today's candidates for Governor call for the Model School Library Standards? Meg Whitman? Steve Posner? Jerry Brown? WHY NOT? What an opportunity to say and do the right thing.
  
• Other questions?
  

In the meantime, four diverse groups are using the Draft Standards for curricular guidance:

1. Universities/Colleges. Higher education is experiencing an increase in students who are not ready for college because they are not information literate; students are arriving under-prepared in research and information literacy skills. The University Association of the University of California officially endorsed the Standards.
   
2. Educational Technology Leaders. District technology leaders are frustrated in establishing digital literacy guidelines for 21st century digital learners that are grade level specific. Computer Using Educators (CUE) officially endorsed the Standards.
   
3. Parents. California parents have a profound interest in keeping their children safe on the Internet and prepared to be good cyber citizens. California PTA and many national cyber safety organizations endorse the Standards.
4. Teacher Librarians. Overwhelming research shows a strong correlation between school libraries staffed with Teacher Librarians and student achievement. California School Library Association (CSLA) strongly endorses the Standards.

SAVE SCHOOL LIBRARIES - A Poem

SAVE SCHOOL LIBRARIES

Dear Elected School Board sitting there today

I wish I was standing in front of you because I have something to say

I want to save the libraries; I want to save the books

I want to preserve a basic need so children can sit in nooks

I plead on behalf of Andrew; I plead on behalf of Kate

Who come in the library every day, as soon as they’re through the gate!

I plead on behalf of Felix; I plead on behalf of Reese

Who like to come in and pick up a book in a place of sanctuary and peace!

I beg on behalf of Ella; I beg on behalf of Mack

Who fell in love with Bill Peet and now do not look back

I beg on behalf of Kinder, I read to them every week

They’re always happy to see me and always anxious to speak

I beg on behalf of teachers who need to get in the door

When looking for something for STULL day that shows a little bit more

I implore on behalf of parents, busy with car pools and life

Knowing their kids can get books at school helps a bit with the strife!

I plead on behalf of “Shiloh”; I plead on behalf of “Holes”

Books about mushrooms or dolphins, presidents, artists or moles

I plead on behalf of “Despereaux”; I plead on behalf of “Hoot”

I plead on behalf of the library aides about to be given the boot!

You need to let us stay open; you need to let someone care

So that when they come in at recess, the books will still be there!

If the doors do not remain open, if the doors are forced to be locked

Then millions of hungry brain cells from life-changing words will be blocked!

I hope that you all get the message; I hope that you will see the light

And allow us to do what we do best; we’ll never give up the fight

Libraries are REALLY IMPORTANT, libraries shape students’ lives

Access to books in a nice quiet place and just about everyone thrives

Don’t tell me about “extra” money don’t tell me there was a choice

Library aides work really hard but nobody gave us a voice

Don’t abandon the libraries, don’t allow them to wither and die

Dear School Board who “hold all the cards” please hear my desperate cry!

Carole Koneff

Library Aide – Third Street Elementary

April 23, 2010

From Carole Koneff: "I sent the attached poem about the importance of libraries to the LAUSD School Board, Mr. Cortines and whoever else wants to read it today. I wanted to share it with the group after my rant of a posting yesterday."

iTunes - "Circulate This: Stories From the School Library"

The California School Library Association uploaded its audio download to Apple's iTunes as a podcast. Connie Hamner Williams says to go to the iTunes store and click on podcasts, then search for "California School Library Association" or "school libraries"....You will see the CSLA audio journal "Circulate This: Stories From the School Library". Price = FREE.
http://www.csla.net/audio/

In other news, Connie reports that she is looking into additional ways to collect and showcase the great number of stories from and about school libraries.

Circulate This: Stories from the School Library

Listen to this: A just-released audio journal from the California School Library Association, "Circulate this: Stories from the School Library" is packed with powerful stories about school libraries.

High School Teacher Librarian/CSLA Past President Connie Williams and songwriter/storyteller/public radio producer Joe McHugh collaborated on an audio journal project to capture stories from teachers, school administrators, children's authors, legislators, parents, and students about how school libraries and librarians make a difference in the lives of children. Connie orchestrated and arranged the project, Joe interviewed and captured the stories; both made magic happen when they put it all together. Listen to and share the stories!

Says Connie: "We have created an audio magazine in which we tell the stories of the importance of school libraries and teacher librarians via interviews with teacher librarians, library staff, teachers, community members, parents, administrators, and most importantly, students. The format is along the lines of a 'This American Life' type of audio journal with a narrator, who sets the tone, describes the dilemma, and sets the stage for each interview. Each is short but dramatic and powerful. The intent is to distribute the audio journal widely on radio and across the Internet -- go 'viral' -- and to create CDs to hand to legislators and decision-making administrators. Teacher librarians and others are able to download the journal and burn CDs to distribute to their local administrators and parents".

Joe McHugh, a talented Washington State storyteller and audio producer points out that "stories are effective because they deal in specifics, not generalities, and the best, in terms of persuasion, are told by those who have first-hand knowledge of what they are talking about.'"

Many came forward to tell their stories. Among those presented here are stories from: Dr. Doug Achterman, Glen Warren, David Burt, Winny Duffy, Heather Keaton, April Wayland, Manuel Perez, Dr. Lesley Farmer, Donald Gill, Jeanne Nelson, Anne Birchfield, Hannah Jackson, Kathy Green, and Sophie.

This project was sponsored by the generous donations of long-time school library advocates DEMCO, Follett Software, and Gale Cengage. Thank you for your support!

NOTE from Connie: "California schools are in deep trouble, with the state budget in tatters and education taking the brunt of the cuts. This impacts school libraries all over the state. The California School Library Association has been exploring a variety of venues and strategies to bring school libraries out of these depths and into the limelight so that the services provided by strong school libraries can be in the forefront of any school reform." The good news is that the State Board of Education has requested Model School Library Standards.

For more information on the project or how you can best support school libraries, contact csla2team@yahoo.com

Books for Babies

What a great name and logo for a literacy program. American Libraries Direct carried an item on this ALTAFF-Nordstrom partnership. The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, FRIENDS, and Foundations (ALTAFF) "will award 20 grants for $500 each to match $1,075 raised by selected Friends of the Library groups, women’s groups, libraries, and other nonprofits for purchasing Books for Babies kits from ALTAFF. The website indicates that any type of nonprofit organization with a current program or interest in starting a Books for Babies program is encouraged to apply. The deadline for applications (PDF file) is September 15, 2010. ALTAFF, Mar. 23

Celebrity READ Posters - Queen Rania, Taraji Henson, Dakota Fanning

Three celebrated women have been added to the American Library Association's Celebrity READ poster collection. The women are Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, Taraji P. Henson, and Dakota Fanning. According to the ALA Press Release:

• "In Jordan, Queen Rania spearheads several initiatives for children and teachers to improve national education. With author Kelly DiPucchio and illustrator Tricia Tusa, Queen Rania has penned a picture book, “The Sandwich Swap,” inspired by her own experience with cultural differences."
• "Stateside, Academy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson has amazed audiences with her performances in films like “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” with Brad Pitt, “Talk to Me,” Tyler Perry's “The Family That Preys,” and “I Can Do Bad All by Myself.” Before landing in Hollywood, she earned a Theatre Arts degree from Howard University while working two jobs—as a secretary at the Pentagon and as a singing and dancing waitress on a local dinner cruise ship. She co-stars in the upcoming “Date Night” with Tina Fey in April and “The Karate Kid” in June."
• "In the vampire world of Eclipse, Dakota Fanning plays Jane, an elite member of the Italian Volturi. The film adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s third installment of the “Twilight” series comes to theaters this June, revealing Bella’s struggle to reconcile her love for vampire Edward Cullen and werewolf Jacob Black while she also contends with Jane and the Volturi."