[CALIBK12] Attending CSLA, Fall, 2009

[Blanche Woolls]

Dear CALIBbers,

The Pennsylvania School Librarians Association conference just finished 
yesterday in State College, PA, home of the Penn State Nittany Lions. We 
stayed in the Penn State conference facility where shampoo, conditioner, 
and soaps have the crest with 1855 and the Nittany Lion on it. All this 
because as a former professor at the University of Pittsburgh with the 
Pitt Panther mascot, this is an affront. (They both use a puma as their 
mascot.)

Among many things I learned was that is critical that as many teacher 
librarians and library technicians and aides as is possible must attend 
CSLA this fall. We need to be together to talk about how we are going to 
work to bring our libraries back from wherever they are. Those who have 
been cut in hours should apply to come. Those who are back in classrooms 
must apply to come. Those who kept their jobs should apply to come. And, I 
would like the board of CSLA to grant a free registration to anyone who is 
out of work because of pink slips.

A colleague of mine suggested that you look at what my be in the stimulus 
monies to see if there is some way you can equate this with professional 
development and perhaps get your district matching money to pay for your 
registration, etc.

Whatever you can do to get to Ontario will help us march forward. It will 
take all of us working in whatever way we can to set our path for the 
future.

If you think you need words to put on your application to help you explain 
why you need to attend, please post them to this list. One of us will 
answer. You must be there! We can win, but it will take a well trained 
army of teacher librarians.

Blanche