[CALIBK12] Library cuts and conference

[Linda Jewett]

Dear CALIBers,
I continue to read CALIB postings since moving to Corvallis, Oregon  
last October. Pink slips for teacher librarians in March seem to be  
as predictable as flu season - and about as pleasant. The Toolbox on  
the CSLA website is there for you to use and support from colleagues  
is important for strategies and boosting morale.

May I suggest that there be a concurrent strand at the conference  
about preventive medicine for this pink slip disease? Better yet,  
perhaps an entire day membership meeting devoted to this problem. Are  
the sections having meetings that address this? Perhaps each teacher  
librarian and library tech might bring a board member to a membership  
meeting.  It just seems that this happens year after year after year  
and library people are put in a reactive mode. Advocacy is everyday -  
not just when cuts are being made.

I admire all of you as you push back to keep quality library services  
available for your students.

Best,
Linda Jewett, CSLA past president