The School Librarian Roles I am Most Passionate About I began as a student in the online school library media program at the University of West Georgia in 2015. I was working part-time as a school library paraprofessional at the… Read More ›
advocacy
How to Cultivate Powerful School Library Advocates
Cultivating Allies Too often, educators–and school librarians in particular–are reactive in advocacy, rather than proactive. But an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Developing relationships with those within school districts who have both initial recommendations and ultimate… Read More ›
Access to Print Books? Yes!
In this time of virtual and hybrid learning, are print books still important? My answer is a resounding “yes”! However, what do you do if your administrator doesn’t “get it”? I received a request for advice from a school librarian… Read More ›
Embracing Our Leadership Role through Advocacy and Voting
You cannot be afraid to speak up and speak out for what you believe. You have to have courage, raw courage. The vote is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democracy. Both of the above quotes are… Read More ›
Pump Up The Volume! Boosting the Signal of School Librarians
Underappreciated and Vulnerable “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore!” This line from the 1976 movie Network is spoken by a character who is losing his sanity. And yet, it is a line that continues… Read More ›
Is That a Privilege?
Last year I started a professional development journey to help me become a better ally to myself and my colleagues. I wanted to develop empathy, understand my shortcomings, and reconcile some of the feelings that I have experienced as a… Read More ›
Maine Library Legislative Day 2020
“Libraries Are Good for Maine!” That was our collective message at Maine’s second Library Legislative Day on February 20, 2020. Librarians representing public, school, university, and special libraries turned out in the State House in Augusta for an exceptional day…. Read More ›
Federal Relief for School Libraries Will Require State and Local Advocacy
As the novel coronavirus takes a tremendous toll on every aspect of society, ALA is working on all fronts to ensure the nation’s libraries – school, public, and academic – are part of federal relief efforts. The CARES Act The… Read More ›
Unmasking Your Contributions to Decision-Makers during School Closures
There are definitely times when people need to cover up. However, there are also times when we need to unmask. Over the past two days, I have attended three meetings during which school librarians have shared the essential contributions they… Read More ›
Applications Are Open for the Sara Jaffarian Award
Are you a school librarian who has developed an outstanding humanities program? Do you work with kindergarten through eighth-grade students? Then you are encouraged to apply for the Sara Jaffarian Award. What Is It? The Sara Jaffarian Award is a… Read More ›