Recently, I was able to attend my state library conference, the MAME Conference, for the first time. While there we heard from speakers like Colby Sharp, John Shu, and author Jewels Rhodes Parker. Needless to say, it was two days… Read More ›
advocacy
Are you an advocate for school libraries? Consider applying for the ALA Policy Corps.
In 2017, I applied to be part of ALA’s inaugural Policy Corps, and honestly, I didn’t think I’d get selected. Although I’d been involved in advocacy locally and had made some fledgling attempts at the state level, I had very… Read More ›
Action Research: Building a Pathway Between Large Research and Local Anecdotes
Action Research: Building a Pathway Between Large Research and Local Anecdotes Over the past year, I have given a lot of serious thought to school library advocacy. I admit my original catalyst was a AASL 2017 National Conference session and… Read More ›
Show Some Library Love
Advocacy is a single word, but it means so much to the library and librarian profession. As Archibald MacLeish said, “What is more important to a library than anything else–than everything else–is the fact that it exists.” Over the past… Read More ›
Are You a Reader?
Are you a reader? Most people assume that teachers and librarians love books and reading, but, surprisingly, that isn’t always the case. My colleague, Teri Lesesne, and I decided to take advantage of the teachers and librarians we had in… Read More ›
Happy New Year!?!
Although I love my summer vacation, I also love planning and looking ahead to the new school year. Like new pencils all sharpened, my brain feels ready for new adventures in my elementary school. Here is what I am thinking… Read More ›
Advocating for the Library You Want to Become
Three years ago I enrolled in the University of Toronto’s Library Advocacy Unshushed MOOC. The online course description was a simple premise or perhaps a call to arms of “How can we strengthen libraries and librarians in the advancement of… Read More ›
The Importance of Advocacy at the State Level
I joined the Missouri Association of School Librarians (MASL) in 2001 and started taking an active role in the organization in 2004. As a classroom teacher and later as a school librarian, I’ve always believed membership in professional organizations is… Read More ›
Summertime – Relaxation, Renewal, and Advocacy!
Summer is a time of relaxation and renewal. It is also a wonderful season to advocate for school libraries. Social media is a great way to highlight your school library or post about summer reading. Presenting at a conference at… Read More ›
Through a District Lens
District/county office of education supervising librarians positions have been drastically cut over the last few years. So it’s not surprising that there have been a flurry of posts about combining the district librarian position with a site teacher librarian position…. Read More ›