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Take Action to Evolve the Association for School Librarians

By Kathryn Roots Lewis on 10/18/2018 • ( 0 )

Consider the pivotal point in which we find ourselves as we evolve the art and craft of school librarianship through the implementation of the AASL National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries. Imagine what this means for our association, the largest association in the world that represents school librarians, the American Association of School Librarians. It seems AASL also finds itself at a pivotal point in its existence, one where we seek your guidance to create a strategic plan that will set the course for our future.

At this time, it is critical to have a strong and representative association that serves as a conduit between the needs of school librarians and best practice that positions school librarians to transform teaching and learning. It is time to rally around each other, building a sense of community that makes us stronger because we have a unified voice around the power of school librarians and their role in the school community. It is a time to take stock and truly take a hard look at what our association does well, what it does not, and how we can improve it to make our association more representative of the learners we serve and the ideals we value.

Without a well-designed and thoughtful strategic plan, professional organizations stagnate, grow predictable and inefficient. I implore you to think hard about how our association should look in a year, 5 years, and 10, 20, even 50 years. How do we become a more viable, responsive organization? Your feedback is needed at this pivotal time in the association. You can share your ideas by completing the strategic planning survey.

Join me in the evolution of an association. One that empowers learner voice and choice so that we are graduating learners who will thrive and excel in a changing world. One that empowers learner-ready school librarians. I hope you will take this opportunity to help the American Association of School Librarians to reimagine, reboot, and redefine our mission, our goals, and our work. After all this is our association; make it better, more meaningful, and more powerful so that it serves as the connection that supports you as a school librarian in working more effectively and efficiently now and in the future. Act now to complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AASLStrategic2018 by October 26.