[CALIBK12] Library Advocacy next steps

[Susan Sheldon]

To build on where the money is and goes....I've found that dialogues  
are more productive when driven by prioritizing outcomes first and  
funding second.  The funding justifications for school libraries are  
about matching the library program to district-wide objectives &  
goals:  raising test scores, increasing literacy, mentoring/staff  
development for teachers, decreasing student to teacher ratios when  
TLs collaborate, college readiness, etc. etc.  When districts choose  
to invest in specific areas, show how the library program accomplishes  
them.  One of our strengths is adapting quicker to educational changes  
than classrooms.  There has to be a redistribution of the dwindling  
dollars and new ways of delivering public education.  The funding  
deciders expect pleas for dollars.  Change the dynamic by being on  
their side to problem-solve for the good of the whole.

Susan Sheldon
Teacher Librarian
Bernardo Heights Middle School
Mesa Verde Middle School
Poway Unified
susansheldon at cox.net




On Mar 1, 2009, at 8:49 PM, cpcasey at sdcoe.net wrote:

> What is also important is to be aware of how much money there is and  
> where
> it goes.  In our personal lives, we must cut luxuries in tough  
> times.  So
> must businesses and services.  It is amazing to find out where the  
> money
> goes...I don't think a lot of people are really aware of some  
> expenditures
> that could be cut without hurting one single student.  Students are  
> the
> most important consideration.  I urge everyone to get involved and be
> proactive.  Like Megan does, go to board meetings.  Promote your  
> programs.
> Get students and parents involved.  Go to any district meeting that is
> open to the public.  Support all your teachers.  And most of all,  
> support
> what is best for students!!!
>>
>>
>> Hi all,
>>
>>
>>
>> I've been reading, with interest, all the library advocacy emails.   
>> I know
>> that in the PVUSD we have had parents write letters, had students  
>> speaking
>> in support at board meetings, we have spent time promoting the  
>> library
>> program to the board members.  We have sent "School Libraries  
>> Work", and
>> Doug's report, and other library studies on to the Board and the
>> Superintendent.  Hopefully on March 5th these efforts will be  
>> rewarded and
>> library programs will not be cut further.  I am pretty  
>> disillusioned at
>> this point, and having spent three years on the CSEA negotiations
>> committee, I don't really have faith in my union's ability to save  
>> jobs or
>> keep volunteers out of a library, should worse come to worse.
>>
>>
>>
>> It seems to me that it's time for the California School Library
>> Association to step up and take a legal stand.  I, as an  
>> individual, do
>> not have the resources to sue the district on ed code violations.   
>> I truly
>> believe that if school libraries are to survive and grow in  
>> California, ed
>> code needs to have some teeth. I don't know enough about CSLA's  
>> finances
>> to know if a suit is possible, but I believe there are enough  
>> California
>> districts in voilation of ed code that CSLA could have its pick.   
>> Does
>> CSLA have a legal fund?  Has any thought been given to this type of
>> action? Would the threat of action be enough to give districts across
>> California pause before they cut library positions and programs?
>>
>>
>>
>> Megan Fuller
>> Aptos Junior High
>> http://www.aptosjr.pvusd.net/library/
>>
>> Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing.
>> -- Wernher von Braun
>>
>>
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>>
>
>
> Colleen Casey
> Teacher Librarian
> Chula Vista Middle School
> (619)498-6831
>
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