The District Library Newsletter: An Advocacy Tool
As you plan your advocacy efforts for 2019, don’t forget about your district-level administrators. The decisions they make can have a huge impact on your library and on your district’s library program. Even if they’ve always been supportive of libraries, don’t assume they know what goes on in your space. After all, they aren’t in your building, much less in your library, every day. Make sure you have a plan to let them know what you do and why it matters to students (and teachers). One way to reach out to district-level personnel is through a regular newsletter. In my large school district, many librarians create a monthly or quarterly newsletter to share with their building colleagues. I volunteered to coordinate the newsletter. After receiving positive feedback on our publication last year, we added principals to the distribution list this year. 1) Sometimes it’s easier to advocate as a group. 2) The district library newsletter provides a forum for librarians to share ideas.
School Librarian's Role in Reading Toolkit
Thirty seconds and 100-150 words An effective elevator pitch generally answers questions such as: What the product, service, or project is. Designed to get a conversation started: Concise Clear Compelling Credible Conceptual Concrete Consistent Customized Conversational Audiences SL Colleagues The bar for 21st-century literacy is set higher for today’s students than for any previous generation. Classroom Teachers and Other Specialists I am your partner in promoting reading and teaching literacy skills. Administrators Like you, I am concerned about our students’ reading proficiency. Parents Being an engaged, proficient reader is critical to your child’s/student’s success in school as well as in life. Resources O'Leary, Chris. 2009. back to main page
Library Lovers' Day 2019
The theme for Library Lovers' Day 2020 is ‘Uncover something new’. Library Lovers' Day is an opportunity for library and information professionals to show off their libraries and for people across Australia to show their love for libraries. Ideas for your communication channels Encourage your patrons to spread the #LibraryLoversDay by having a competition for the best social media post using #LibraryLoversDay. Ideas for your library Check out all the free resources that you can use to celebrate Library Lovers’ Day further down on this page. Check out the, 2019 Library Lovers' Day page, 2018 Library Lovers' Day page, the 2017 Library Lovers' Day news release or the 2016 Library Lovers' Day wrap up. Promo banner.
The Time for Advocacy Is Now: Why Telling Your Story Is So Important.
Having been a lifelong reader and library user, I had all sorts of assumptions about school libraries in general. First, I thought that stakeholders would instinctively know the value of an effective school library. Secondly, I had always been under the impression that school libraries in general were adequately funded and that budgets were never in question. Recently, I have learned about some alarming trends in school libraries in my state and across the nation: In a neighboring county to mine, not only were a number of school librarian positions cut, but one school closed the dedicated school library space and moved shelves into the corner of the cafeteria so students can check out books during lunch. What has happened in the situations above is that the decision makers did not inherently see the value of school libraries, so they were able to systematically defund and/or deconstruct these programs in such a way that school libraries in these areas will eventually cease to exist.
Outreach Strategies for Promoting School Libraries
Kim Lindskog, Library Support Specialist for Parkway Schools in Missouri, shares four outreach strategies for promoting school library programs. In my previous post, Promoting School Library Resources and Services with Today’s Digital Tools, I shared strategies for librarians to build capacity and influence their communities in ways that impact digital age learning and promote the broad reach of their library program. Now let's shift the lens to outreach as a way to encourage engagement in the lifelong learning process and cultivate innovative library programming. Successfully meeting the needs and supporting the goals of the school community while maintaining a flexible and fluid program requires collaborative leadership. This includes reaching out to various groups and stepping out beyond the library walls. The library is a bridge between classrooms and home, so how do we identify pathways that forge meaningful connections between our program and students, teachers, and parents?
Don't worry, a school library with fewer books and more technology is good for today's students
A recent article about a new approach to a school library sparked vigorous discussion on social media. Many worried the school had completely abolished traditional library services. The article describes how a Melbourne school changed its library to a technology-focused centre staffed by “change adopters” who host discussions with students and encourage creative thinking. The school’s principal was forced to defend the library’s restructure. She wrote that its traditional purpose hadn’t been lost. The College Library has been transformed into a Learning Centre that continues to offer all library services to students and staff, including a significant collection of fiction and non-fiction books, journals, newspapers, magazines and other print resources, as well as online access to other libraries. This school’s approach isn’t unique. Read more: Technology hasn't killed public libraries – it's inspired them to transform and stay relevant The importance of the library Libraries and technology
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How-To: Not Good With Elevator Speeches? Try 'Taxi Chats'
Everybody talks about the work they do. It’s a staple topic of conversation over meals, at meetings, during sporting events, in hallways, on airplanes, between classes, and yes, sometimes in elevators. Most librarians realize that they should have an “elevator speech” about their work, but few actually do. The origin of that phrase is simple: When you’re in an elevator with someone, and you’re riding together for a few floors, what can you say to make an impression in that brief time? Sure, you can just stumble through an answer, but then you miss out on a teachable moment. If you work in a library, you’re probably not in a high-rise building with lots of non-librarians. In direct conflict with what your parents taught you, I encourage you to talk to strangers—about the goodness of libraries, at least. Here’s What I Hear Too Often I travel a good bit, and I always try to bring up the topic of libraries wherever I go. “Wow, librarians have conferences?” And Here’s How I Reply 1. 2. 3. 4.
