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School Librarians & Advocacy:

Be Your Own Cheerleader!

Presented by: Lisa Perez

Chicago Public Schools

Department of Libraries

About Lisa Perez

•Area Library Coordinator, Chicago Public Schools

•Supports about 200 elementary & high school librarians

•Chair, ISTE Media Specialists SIG (SIGMS)

Why Advocate?

•To create an awareness about the benefits and activities of the school library to stakeholders to improve funding, support, and resources for the library to positively impact student learning.

Good Advocacy ResourcesAASL Advocacy Toolkit

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/aaslissues/toolkits/aasladvocacy.cfm

ISTE Media Specialists SIG (SIGMS)

Advocacy Statement for School Librarians

http://sigms.iste.wikispaces.net/advocacy

http://advocacyresources.wikispaces.com

ACT4SL

http://act4sl.wikispaces.com/home

Political AdvocacyGet involved!

American Library Association Washington Offi ce – Legislative Action Center

http://capwiz.com/ala/home/

Ed Tech Action Network

http://www.edtechactionnetwork.org/

Advocating at Your School

You are your own best cheerleader

Communication to Administration

Monthly reports

Year-end report

Important data

Pictures, video

Communication to Teachers

Email

Newsletters

Conversations

Special trainings

Website information

Surveys

Communication to Students

Special events & Book Fairs

Guest authors

Websites, social networking sites

Motivational displays

Blogs, wikis, websites, book trailers, videos, & other technologies

New book announcements

Communication to Parents & Community

Relationship with public library and community groups

Website with information about program

Literacy Nights & Open House

Volunteer opportunities

AASL “ A Planning Guide for Empowering Learners

*This publication complements the Standards for the 21st-Century Learner , Standards for the 21st-Century Learner in Action

, and Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Programs

.

AASL Planning Guide

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/guidelinesandstandards/planningguide/planningguide.cfm

Collaboration & Advocacy

• A good professional relationship with colleagues

is the best advocacy

• Be valuable

•Be responsive

• Be active

•Anticipate needs

•Be a good collaborative partner

Students: Your Best Advocates

• Create a library in which students’ contributions are

valued in:

• Book selections

• Extracurricular activities

•Showcasing students’ talents

• Student work and artwork

•Policies that are student-focused

Your Library Speaks Volumes

•Zoned areas to promote individual, small group & large group activities

•Organized & decluttered

• Attractively decorated

• Kid-centric

•Technology-infused

•Good signage

Managing Your Online Presence• Keep a fluid presence that shows regular updates

•Use a library website to provide one-stop web portal for links to online databases, recommended websites,

calendars, polls, and more

• Use blogs to provide regular news updates

•Use wikis for electronic pathfinders & centers

•Use appropriate social media to reach parents & community members

Advocacy Gone Bad• Self-serving

• Not centered on student needs

• Overly competitive

• Not aligned with core school goals

• Unrealistic expectations

• Excessively negative

What’s Next: Personal Goal Setting

• Collect and communicate data

• Survey needs and respond

• Create an attractive physical space

• Cultivate strong partnerships

• Perform a deep assessment & longer-range plans

Contact Lisa Perez

Also:

In Twitter @leperez1

In Facebook

In LinkedIn

In ISTE Community Ning – SIGMS Group

leperez333@gmail.

com