Justifying+having+a+librarian

Here are the suggestions I received as a result of my request for ideas to justify having a librarian in my small school.

Terry Thomas

So Terry, if you take all of your individual duties, break them down into the amount of time each requires, and present that as justification for your position, perhaps the admin will see what a bargain they are getting!! P.S. if you are fortunate enough to have an aide/para, be SURE to include those duties and the time they take, too. And be as specific as possible.....helping kids find the printer they didn't know they were connected to, make this website work, explore the poetry section for that obscure poem to add just the right touch to their term paper, help kids learn to LOVE READING, maintain a bulletin board of award-winning books, attend conferences to learn more so you can DO MORE!!!!! I've been there. With that split, I didn't do either job well. I wasn't as good an English/reading teacher or as good an LMS that I could be. It's too much with paper grading, attendance issues, etc. plus the library and its issues.~The link below~is Oklahoma's rationale for how many librarians and how much time per student attendance. Good luck. ~

[|__http://title3.sde.state.ok.us/library/Standard7-2006.pdf__] ~ Ramapo Ridge Media Specialist Responsibilities (NOT Including Teaching Aspects of the Job) Fulfilling Students’ Needs: Research reports with classes Book selection, booktalks and exchange Computer research & assistance Assistance with photocopier, printer, & scanner Lists of books by genre & interest Summer reading list Fulfilling Teachers’ Needs: Bibliographies on selected topics/books on a cart for research Computer assistance (GroupWise, MS Applications, Websites, etc.) Help with laminating machine Digital camera instruction Taking pictures and video of school events Picture printing TV/VCR/DVD assistance Overhead projector maintenance LCD cart instruction All A/V reserves & inventory Videotape/DVD selection Overhead transparencies Curriculum support (books, materials, databases, online resources, etc.) Library Responsibilities: Book and A/V selection Keeping up with book and tape reviews Narrowing down wish list Comparing to curriculum needs and existing collection Building lists of books with online vendors to be ordered Ordering magazines & maintaining periodical section Reading professional journals Meeting with book vendors Scheduling maintenance appointments for photocopier & laminator Rethreading laminator when it runs out of film Reading selected books for lesson planning, student book choices, book talking, etc. (done at home) Performing annual Book & A/V Inventory Getting circulation system ready every new school year Preparing the budget Ordering supplies Composing purchase orders using SMARTS Processing donated books Processing videotapes Weeding the collection Dusting shelves Updating Library Media Center website Sending out overdue notices Sending home overdue letters Monthly decorations & bulletin board Database maintenance A/V equipment maintenance Computer/printer maintenance Book repair General correspondence with staff Collaboration with public library’s YA/Children’s Librarian Can you prepare a pie chart showing how your time is already spent, with the way you'd spend it if you were full-time, with the amount that you do on your own time included on the first chart (along with a comment that you  will no longer be able to come in on weekends, due to other time constraints  on your time? You don't have to mention the time constraint is "having a  personal life"...) Look at the bright, shiny new frameworks that a panel of librarians in my state put together:

[|http://www.arkansased.org/teachers/frameworks.html Just scroll down & click on library media; they list every little thing a library media specialist is responsible for, grades K-12. The reason I send this is cause you might can use these to bolster your position. The second link, __[|http://www.arkansas.gov/search/gsearch.php__  lets you connect to a powerpoint explanation of the frameworks, using some spiffy academic language: 2007 Arkansas Library Media Framework Review   If you need some studies and quotes, I'd recommend taking a look at Stephen Krashen's books, "The Power of Reading" and "Summer Reading; Program & Evidence," the latter written w/ Fay Shin.~ The beauty of their books is that they put their main (very quotable) points in the margins.~ Very user friendly, and may provide interesting reading for your principal and board as well.  One of things I would point to is statistics. What is the circulation of the library? How does it compare to others libraries that do have full time coverage? What other things is the room used for? What library skills are being taught? I would mention the new national standards for information literacy and how they tie into computer literacy and the NETS. There are also tons of studies that prove schools with strong library programs have more successful students in reading and testing.  In addition to teaching, there are many things a librarian does. Here is a list you might use, adjusting number of volumes and where send a  end-of-year report. Hope it helps :)     LIBRARIANS DO WHAT??   <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">   <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Just what do Librarians do all day? Some of the activities to be   <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">completed are listed here.   <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">   <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">• Inventory – scanning every book and video (over 14,000 items), then   <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">running and analyzing category reports   <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">• Complete state reports to submit to DESE   <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">• Cataloging all new materials   <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">• Processing Mail – magazines, newspapers   <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">• Shelf reading. Check call numbers for correct order.   <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">• Equipment maintenance – Check to see that cameras and projectors are <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">working and are clean. Replace bulbs and batteries <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">• Process new orders – bar codes, labels, books shelf-ready, download <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">MARC records, label AR and RC information (Accelerated Reading and  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Reading Counts reading programs), stamping with property stamp <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">• Research new programs, read reviews for books and library materials <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">• Book repairs <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">• Collect, disseminate, and then re-shelve summer school library resources <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">• At the high school – textbook check in and out and inventory; <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">inventory bindery order, pack to send, unpack and re-catalog when <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">textbooks return from bindery; clean textbooks, remove graffiti, erase <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">marks, and remove papers, move to summer storage; process new <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">textbooks: catalog, stamp, barcode. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">• Develop orders for books, magazines, newspapers and other library <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">materials based on the collection analysis – lost items, low <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">categories, curriculum needs, student requests, and teacher requests. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">• Weed items that are in the time-sensitive areas of State Report, <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">worn out, too old, just plain ugly, no longer useful; this includes <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">checking circulation records to determine if each item should be  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">replaced, stamping ‘discard’, and determining what to do with the <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">items and where to store them. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">• Plan budget – encumbered funds, fundraising possibilities, grant <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">opportunities <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">• Book displays in library and display cases <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">• Clean book shelves, lab computers, and furniture <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">• Enter students into circulation system by homeroom <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">• Download new students from SIS to Follett and AR/RC reading programs. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">• Update library web site information <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Unpaid summer duties - in common with classroom teachers <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Decorate classroom/s <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Organize teacher resources <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Plan instruction <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">This is a great starting point: <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">[|http://librarypublishing.scholastic.com/content/stores/LibraryStore/pa </span]> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">ges/images/slw_06.pdf <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Projected tasks necessary to reopen Binion Elementary library <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Develop a space plan to determine the location of books and audiovisual materials. This will include the "Everybody" books, the fiction books, the non-fiction section, the reference area, the periodical area. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Determine location of special collections such as the Audio Visual collection and the Professional Library. Unpack and shelve these collections. (600 AV items and 500 Professional materials) <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Designate bilingual areas of the library. A decision must be made as to the feasibility of inter-shelving the bilingual materials with the English language materials. These items are currently shelved in separate areas. Is this separation counter-productive to library usage? Since many of the items are written in Spanish and English, should they be shelved together or separately? The librarian is currently researching library trends in this question. If the decision is made to combine the two sections, the current bilingual section (1000 items) will need to be inter-shelved with the library collection. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Develop a space plan for library furnishings. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Designate age-appropriate areas of the library. Areas used primarily by primary students must be arranged differently than those areas used by the older students. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Physically unpack and shelve 15,000 library items. Few volunteers are available for this task and teachers will be unpacking their own classrooms. Student assistance is not a desired solution. Following researching the time required to pack and unpack a library of similar size, it is estimated that it will take a minimum of 3 weeks to pack the current collection and at least that long to unpack and arrange items in the new space. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Continually evaluate arrangement decision to see "what works and what doesn’t." A library is not a static environment and will need continual analysis for the first year to determine the ideal arrangement of the collection. Students and staff will provide input on the physical arrangement and adjustments will need to be made throughout the year. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">When researching the tasks of opening a new space with an existing collection, one librarian who has completed a similar task offered this comment, "The reality of having a new space and moving into it, is that things aren't going to be what you thought they were. Moving a library is time-consuming.~ Period.~ And for me, the worse part was not the physically moving everything part.~ It was the endless decisions about every little aspect of everything." Individual adjustments pertaining to the library arrangement and even things as simple as the height of each individual shelf will need to be made constantly during the first year in a new space. Another professional who made just such a move earlier this year added this to the discussion "Plus you have to save time for adjusting the shelving.~ There is no way to get everything right the first time.~ We are still moving things around six months after the move. In order to have the shelving user-friendly, it has to be set up in a way that everyone can find things, and that takes adjustments for several months." <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Organize and store audiovisual equipment. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Unpack and organize the library office, circulation area, and supplies. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Design and construct signage for each area of the new library to assist patrons in locating needed materials. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Provide an attractive and welcoming décor in the library. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Update all student and staff records in the circulation program. This involves assigning each individual student to the appropriate classroom as well as transferring faculty classroom materials to new classroom records. In the past, at least two school days have been required to update these records. With the addition of reassigning classroom materials, an estimate of time needed is not available. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Test and configure all computers in the library and the community room to access all online database subscriptions as well as locally owned programs. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Assist with the configuration of the media retrieval system for every room in the building. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Oversee and maintain the use of the media retrieval system. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Program the media retrieval system. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Implementation includes uploading the library records for audiovisual materials in the library collection, manually deleting audiovisual materials that are not videos, and updating records for new materials added to the collection. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Receive training and train staff on the use of the media retrieval system and provide assistance with implementation. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Assist teachers in locating relevant AV resources for instruction. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Check scheduled videos twice daily to load and unload requested audiovisual materials into the system. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Program and update Electronic Bulletin Board and settings. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Set up the Electronic Bulletin Board with text and graphics. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Train staff and student and oversee use of the video broadcast equipment. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Load video from video cameras and schedule for viewing. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">May be required to encode video content for digitization using equipment on another campus. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Recruit and train students who will provide assistance with morning announcements. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Review and enforce copyright laws with the staff. With the addition of the media retrieval systems it is vital that the staff understand and comply with the copyright laws to protect the district from possible lawsuits. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Develop and implement orientation for all staff, students and community members to the library, its collections and technology. Existing orientation plans will not be usable in this new setting and these tools cannot be developed until the library has been arranged. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Recruit, select and train student volunteers. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Update all student records in the Accelerated Reader program. This will involve manually reassigning each student to his or her new classroom. There is no global update option on this program. In addition, all students who have graduated to 6th grade must be deleted from the program. Again, there is no global function that will complete this task. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Perform a test connection of the distance learning cart in each room of the building where a distance learning connection may occur. This includes areas such as the gym and the cafeteria. At this point, it is unknown if IP addresses will change, resulting in a time consuming task of resetting all existing equipment. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Assist teachers with the installation of locally provided computer programs. Binion teachers are accustomed to having technology available at their fingertips but will not have time to download and update all necessary programs while teaching their students. Instructional technology specialists are assigned to numerous schools and are not available to assist with this task. The educational assistant assigned to the computer labs will be completing similar tasks in the computer labs as well as completing her locally assigned campus tasks. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Locate and add to the library inventory all new audio visual equipment such as data projectors and document cameras to insure that necessary records are available to district personnel. This will involve physically locating all new equipment and recording the location of all equipment that has been moved from the former campus. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Provide training to staff on all new technology as well as existing equipment. Instructional technology specialists will assist when available. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Catalog and process all new library materials. We are currently awaiting news of grant funding which will allow for new library materials which will arrive after the completion of the 2007-08 school- year. Books with AR tests must be marked accordingly. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Provide library orientation and training to all new staff members. New teachers to our school will not be familiar with our collection and what the librarian can do for them as teachers. This cannot be accomplished by an educational assistant. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Organize the librarian’s needed work space for clerical tasks. While a workroom/office has been provided for the librarian, time must be spent in organizing the tools and equipment that she will need to do her job efficiently. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Provide "tours" of the library for parents and community members designed to result in an increased number of volunteers. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Open the library as soon as possible after the school year begins. If the librarian cannot concentrate on preparing the library for student use, access to the library will be delayed. While an educational assistant can handle some of the opening tasks, many are librarian specific and will require decisions that cannot be made by a paraprofessional. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Assist teachers in selecting and procuring instructional materials for the beginning of school. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Process materials returned by teachers to the library that they no longer want in their classroom. Determine the usefulness of such materials and arrange for their disposal if they are determined to be of no further use to the teachers and students. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Process and distribute Classroom Specific Instructional materials (CSI) sent to or purchased by classroom teachers. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Create new CSI records to reflect new teachers and classroom changes at the beginning of the school year. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Assist teachers with instructional technology at the new building. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Develop a library schedule for classes. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Develop library lessons for the first six weeks of school for grade levels PK-5. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Complete all routine library tasks as listed on attached document. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Current librarian duties at Jack C. Binion Elementary <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Content <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Instruction <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Instructional Technology <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">State and District Reading Initiatives <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Library Management <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Service to Campus as Specialist <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Service to School Community <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Parent Education and Community Service <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Support to other Professionals <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Professional Development <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Instruction <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Library Instruction <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Weekly curriculum related and TAKS related lessons for each class in each grade level. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">These are not simply story times but are lessons built around the curriculum and TEKS objectives being addressed in the classroom. Complete lesson plans are constructed and filed in the same manner as those of the classroom teacher. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Plan and teach in a sequential manner the information literacy skills required to insure that all students can fully use the resources available to them. These skills are not taught in isolation but are incorporated in the grade level curriculum mandated by the TEKS. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Plan and implement weekly library visits for Pre-Kindergarten students which replicate those special story times that are commonly presented as a special program in a public library. These lessons include music, fingerplays, motion activities and introduction to quality literature. In addition these visits are planned to correlate with the theme of the week for that classroom. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Develop lessons on demand to be taught by the librarian in the teacher’s classroom which will reinforce the lessons being taught in that classroom. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">The development of these lessons occurs at the teacher’s request and involves any curriculum subject area in which the teacher feels the need for assistance. Science and math lessons have been designed and offered by the librarian at teacher request. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Collaboration <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Collaborate with teachers to develop units of instruction which will utilize online databases and research materials while incorporating curriculum related goals and objectives. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Tutor <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Tutor at-risk students. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Test Administrator <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Assist with the administration of all testing requirements including administering the TAKS tests and acting as a monitor as needed. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Instructional Technology <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Instruct students in the development of technology based projects which will demonstrate knowledge gained from research. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">For example, the librarian instructed first and second grade students in developing power point presentations to demonstrate knowledge of topics in the science curriculum. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Model the use of technology with teachers to encourage its use in the classroom. In addition, provide training to the teachers in using this technology and the use of new programs such as digital storytelling. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">For example, the librarian instructed kindergarten teachers in the development of digital storytelling presentations to be displayed at the annual open house event. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Teacher Training <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Provide training to all teachers on the use of free, purchased and district-provided online databases and print and non-print research materials. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Provide instruction to all students on the use of online databases and print and non-print research materials. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Distance Learning <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Develop and implement free distance learning connections between schools in the district and across the country. Developing these connections requires a curriculum-related lesson plan in which distance learning is an integral part of student learning. It also requires locating partners with whom the connection may be shared and encouraging teacher buy-in. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">The librarian has fostered partnerships with schools in Louisiana, Ohio, Oregon and New Jersey at no cost to the district. Fifth grade bilingual students presented a session in a distance learning event to schools across Texas. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Locate, schedule and secure funding for distance learning connections with paid providers who provide our students will a learning experience that would not be available in any other way. This has been especially important in reinforcing science skills. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">State and District Reading Initiatives <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Accelerated Reader program <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Administer the Accelerated Reader program. Locate funding for and select new tests for the program which will match our library collection. Add new students to the program as needed. Troubleshoot issues with the program. Mark library items for which tests are available. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Battle of the Books <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Work with BISD librarians to develop and implement the Battle of the Books program. This involves working together to select the appropriate titles, constructing questions to be used in the competition, selecting the questions for the actual battle and serving as a judge at the event. In addition, the librarian is responsible for promoting the event and encouraging student participation at the campus level. She works with the campus coordinators to insure that all rules are followed and that all deadlines are met. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Reading Incentive Programs <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Sponsor reading incentive programs such at Six Flags Read to Succeed, the Texas Bluebonnet Award Program and Book-it as well as locally developed programs specific to the campus. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">IV. Library Management <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Circulation <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Daily library circulation for the entire school. Walk-in circulations average 350 students each week. These are in addition to the weekly scheduled library check outs. Many students check out twice daily. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Shelve all returned library materials. No community volunteers are currently helping in the Jack Binion Elementary Library. The librarian shelves at least 1,500 returned items each week. Because the librarian currently has no scheduled conference or planning period, this task is completed during the open circulation times and after school hours. There is no uninterrupted time available to the librarian during the school day. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Collection Development and Management <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Meet with vendors after school hours to review proposed library purchases. This time is well spent as developing a personal relationship with vendors may result in discounted or in some cases, free, materials for the library. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Process and catalog all new library materials. While the cataloging process is automated, it does require at least 15-30 minutes per item to prepare each item for circulation. Approximately 500-1000 items are added to the library collection annually. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Review and weed current library collection. Much of the material in this library collection is dated and in need of replacement. Weeding inaccurate or damaged items takes up a large amount of time and must be completed at school, frequently after school hours. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Inventory the library collection annually to insure that collection records are accurate and to provide to the district an accounting of library holdings. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Assist teachers in selecting and procuring instructional materials. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Process materials returned by teachers to the library that they no longer want in their classroom. Determine the usefulness of such materials and arrange for their disposal if they are determined to be of no further use to the teachers and students. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Process and distribute Classroom Specific Instructional materials (CSI) sent to or purchased by classroom teachers. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Budget Management <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Administer the budget funds provided by the campus and district. Book selection policies require that all books be physically examined or be recommended in two positive review in professional journals. Due to budget constraints these reviews must be completed using online journals so this task is completed at home outside of regular school hours. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Select and purchase supplies for the library within budget. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Make budget recommendations for the upcoming year. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Fundraising <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Sponsor, staff and run two book fairs each year as a fundraising effort for the library. Once again, limited volunteers are available for this effort. Two to fours hours in after school time are spent in setting up the fair and an equal amount of time is spent in packing the fair at its conclusion. Evening sale hours are offered for community convenience. Financial paperwork in concluding the fair consumes a minimum of two hours. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Locate donors who are willing to support the library such as providing boxes for the move and storage of said boxes. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Research and submit financial grant proposals to improve the library collection supplement district budgets and improve available technology. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Volunteers <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Recruit, select, train and supervise student volunteers. While in theory this solution should handle the shelving issues, student assistance cannot be depended upon as helping in the library negatively impacts time spent on instruction in the classroom. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Recruit community volunteers to assist with library duties. While this has been less than successful, the librarian continues to seek new recruits. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">V. Service to Campus as Specialist <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Copyright Specialist <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Provide all staff and students with information regarding copyright issues. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Provide all staff members with training on copyright infringement. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Enforce copyright law to the extent of the librarian’s ability. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Technology Specialist <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Troubleshoot audio-visual problems as well as computer issues in the absence of the instructional technology professionals. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Webmaster <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Maintain the library webpage on the school’s webpage as well as the library homepage on the online catalog. The webpage on the library homepage serves as a portal to available online databases and research resources and helps to insure internet safety. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Podcasting <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Record a regular podcast featuring staff and student review of books and library events. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Communication <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Edit and distribute a monthly e-newsletter with pertinent library information so that staff members will be informed of library events and lessons. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Use digital storytelling techniques to document events which occur during the school year providing a virtual yearbook. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Service to School Community <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Provide a pleasant environment for students and staff that will be used for school functions during the school day as well as after hours. Provide a location for faculty training and social events. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Serve on various committees such as the local site based decision making team to insure that the library is included as a vital part of the school community. Serve on the district distance education committee to share knowledge and experience with new site-managers and to encourage the use of this technology within the district. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Parent Education and Community Service <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Develop parent education programs to offer parents the opportunity to learn about the new technology and library resources available to them. For example, arranging a distance learning connection to a classroom in a foreign country so that parent could better understand the concept of videoconferencing. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Provide library access to the local community including parents and school visitors. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Develop and implement evening programs to assist with making the school the heart of the community. Such programs include parent and child book clubs as well as technology nights for the parents. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Support to other Professionals <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Mentor <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Serve as a mentor to new librarians in the district to insure that newly hired staff are sufficiently trained and supported to succeed in their positions. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Training other Professionals <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Represent BISD at by presenting break-out sessions at local, regional and state conferences. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Professional Development <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Staff Development <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Attend all elementary library ALT meetings to share lessons and plan district library programs so that all students in BISD have equal access and programming opportunities. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Regularly contribute lesson plans to the shared library folder. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Recognitions <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Recognized as the Librarian of the Year 2007 by the Texas Computer Education Association. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Recognized as BISD Site Manager of the Year 2007 for distance learning by TIMS <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Finalist 2008 for the Don Foshee Memorial grant by Texas Distance Learning Association <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Profiled in ESC Region XI Distance Learning e-newsletter which is distributed to all schools in the ESC Region XI community 2007 <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Profiled by the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration in e-newsletter which is distributed to all members nationally and internationally 2008 <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Future plans for the Binion Elementary Library <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Begin a monthly preschool pajama story time to introduce pre-kindergarten children and their parents to the school. While the size of our library collection would not allow for book circulation, having the library introduced to these children at a young age could encourage life-long readers. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Develop a Binion Blog where parents, community members, faculty, students, administrators could share their thoughts about the school and its programs in an open forum. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Locate grant funding for web cams for each classroom so that teachers and students could access Skype accounts and communicate with other students around the nation and the world. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Develop a Lunch Bunch book club for at-risk students. Students who qualify would spend their lunch period once a week with the librarian discussing and sharing books. Each group would last six weeks and be limited to a specific grade level at a time. Students would be recommended by teachers. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Develop a student technology club to assist teachers with their technology needs. Students could be assigned such mundane tasks as checking that teacher web pages are current. Select students may be trained to assist teachers with web page development. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Introduce Gaggle to the faculty to allow for student email accounts as an extension to school-to-school distance learning connections. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Work with local merchants such as Barnes and Noble to host a "stock our library" book fair fundraiser at the local store. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Train all teachers in the use of the distance learning cart. Independence and a dedicated space would encourage teachers to reach out to other classrooms to share experience and lessons. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Continue to present at local and state conferences to demonstrate that the BISD library program is a vital part of the educational community. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">The above listed items are dreams that the current librarian has for the Binion Elementary library program. Unfortunately most of these dreams will not become reality if the librarian is managing two campus libraries. The dreams will still be there but, unfortunately, the time to accomplish them will not exist. She cannot set these plans in motion if she is not on campus to see them through to completion. These dreams cannot see reality under the guidance of a paraprofessional. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Asking the librarian at Binion Elementary School to take on the responsibility of an additional campus will have a negative impact on the students and teachers at 104. For the two years prior to this current schoolyear, the Binion library had been a split assignment. The librarian was relegated to being little more than a circulation clerk. When this position once again became a full-time position, the librarian had time to teach again. Teachers at this campus have been amazed that the librarian is willing and able to teach lessons related to their curriculum. They are asking the librarian for help and coming to her with technological requests. They respect and trust her judgment and see her as a part of the educational team. Returning this position to a part-time position will result in the return of a below average program. The librarian cannot teach when she is not there. It would be physically impossible for her to teach the same lesson to the entire fourth grade in the limited number of days that she would be assigned to the campus. It is educationally inappropriate to expect a paraprofessional to teach with the same skill as a certified librarian. Something must suffer with this part-time scenario and it will be our students. The current librarian feel very strongly that if she is allowed to continue in her capacity as the librarian at Binion elementary ONLY, TAKS scores will rise to the recognized level because there will be one more dedicated teacher working with the students and helping them to achieve their goals. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Tell them you'll teach students research skills using Big6 and Cornell notetaking. You will schedule all language arts and science classes and "teach" the research with their classroom teacher. This will take 3 weeks for science and 3 weeks for language arts. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Also, do book talks of current YA novels with language arts and reading classes. If you can put on the "dog and pony show" and start talking books--you will show that you are supporting the curriculum instead of BEING the curriculum. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Order books that support your school's goals--ie at my school the shift is science and math. I teamed with those departments to order them materials. Attend grade level meetings and block meetings. If you are seen as an administrator of a program, you won't be asked to teach in a classroom. The problem for you is that your school is so small. In my situation, our library serves nearly 800 students. There is no way I could teach part time and still run a legitimate program. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">I tell my administrators that the county gets 3-in-1 when they hire a library media specialist. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Any book store hires a full time manager. Part of our job is to manage the library just as in  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">a book store. Order books, keep items in stock, stay current on the needs of every grade level,"sell" books, weed, etc. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">They also get a full time teacher, I teach research to my K-5 students everyday. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">They also get an administrator who must keep current with every grade level and also keep open communication <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">with every teacher to create integrated lessons. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Hope this helps. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">How does the 0.4SD LMS impact student learning and achievement? <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">1. Information Specialist Role <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">A. Motivate students to read and appreciate iiterature <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">s. Provide staff with appropriate materials that meet the standards and benchmarks <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">C* Appreciation of globalization and making students aware of global communities via video conferences, \. irtual <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">field trips, and e-pals <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Dm Foster problem solving and critical thinking skills <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">E, Provide diverse perspectives in library collections and balanced point of view <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">F. Provide multiple forms and formats of information resources: eBooks, databases, book on tape/CD <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">C;, Foster the CIPHER instructional approach for student success <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">11. Teacher Role <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">A. Support and assist staff in knowledge and skills acquisition <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">B. Co-teach integrated information seeking skills with classroom teacher <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">C* Support and assist students in knowledge and skills acquisition <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">DL Providing professional development in information technology and KETS <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">E. Use and teach appropriate technology to prepare students to be technology literate by 8th grade <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">111. Instructional Partner Role <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">A, Coilaborate with staff to deliver and enhancc Lessons <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">B. Collaborate with public lihrar~lcommunity for author visits and literature appreciation <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">C- Integration of Information and Technology Literacy benchmarks within core benchmark <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Collaborate with staff to provide differentiated instruction and alternative technology opportunities for student <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">success <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">]IV. Program Administrator Role <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">A. Evaluating programs and services <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">B, lnvolvement with pubic librarylcomrnunity for Interlibrary Loan and library card <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">C. Inviting and relaxing environment <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">1). Provide special opportunities, events, programs that enrich studetlts  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">1F,, Participate in site level instructional teams that provide learning support   <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">F, Provide services for parents to use as resources which support their children   <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">   <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">If you haven’t already, pull up the School Libraries Work! ~report at [|__http://www2.scholastic.com/content/collateral_resources/pdf/s/slw3_2008.pdf__]<span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">.~ Most people think the library is just a place to check out books and how much skill does that take???? ~   <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">   <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">I am preparing to go before our cabinet to make a push for certified librarians at all our campuses.~ We are a charter school district, so things have been built from the grass roots level. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Here are some of my notes I’m attempting to assemble. ~You’re welcome to whatever you can use. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">In addition to the research-based data in School Libraries Work!, I would like to share some key points that affect the mission our schools. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">? We live in the Information Age and information literacy is essential.~ Who is going to teach this if not the librarian?~ <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">? Access to information is now available to all. ~Teaching our students how to access, evaluate, and use information is an equalizer for our students, overcoming language, socio-economic, and race barriers. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">? To be prepared for college, students must be familiar with the subscription databases available and be proficient users.~ Wikipedia is not an appropriate citation on college research papers, nor are many websites one can "Google".~ Students must learn to evaluate information they find on the internet. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Building a school district from the grass-roots levels has demanded compromise as we grow. Libraries and librarians have understandably not been top priority, but the time has come to consider the following: <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">? Collaboration with teachers is key to student achievement.~ Librarians are certified, experienced teachers first, making us qualified instructional partners who support and expand curriculum.~ Can the same be expected of para-professional staff? <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">? A library is more than just books.~ (At least in the 21st century it should be!)~ Electronic resources should be integrated into the curriculum and be accessible from home.~ (IDEA students have this ability, but most of our students are not aware.) <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">? Classroom libraries are appropriate for teaching reading; libraries reinforce those skills and develop a love of reading. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">? Extensive research shows correlation between library staffed by certified professionals and student achievement. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">If you do not have a certified librarian, who will

<span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Select, order, process books? <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Weed and take inventory? <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Manage the library's budget?~ <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Do inter-library loans and statistics reporting? <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> Maintain the automated system?~ <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> Be responsible for lesson planning? Teach information access skils <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> Booktalk new books and foster a love of reading? <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> Collaborate with teachers to integrate information skills? <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Maintain a balanced collection of materials that supports classroom instruction? <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Research has found that as the following increase, so does student achievement:  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Flexible access to library  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Library Staff  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> Time spent with certified librarian  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Time the librarian spends identifying materials for teachers  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Collaboration between teachers & librarian  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Larger, newer collection  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Library-connected computers  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Money spent on library resources  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> Group visits to library (particularly those with focus on Informational Literacy)~  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">I think one of the things you need to do is first talk about what you're actually doing in the current configuration of your job.~ You're already not doing the things full time librarians do.~ All those things the board expects of you take time.~ Then I would explain what you would do as a full time librarian, and include those things the board already expects of you.~ You need to remember that unless there is a board member who has worked in a library,~the school board~really doesn't know what a librarian is supposed to do.~ I think studies are fine for your case, but I wouldn't rely so much on them.~ Say what you're currently doing versus what you should be doing (every possible great thing you can think of) and I think they should see the situation clearly. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">~ <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">The other thing to emphasize is that teaching student library/research skills is very important.~ Check out CSLA's (California School Library Association)~website where you can download Standards and Guidelines for Strong School Libraries [|__http://www.schoolibrary.org/pub/other.htm__]<span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">~ Also CSLA has made up library/research standards for California school libraries.~ Look around their site for that.~ There are proposed standards that should be known by students by particular grade levels.~ Just because you don't have to follow these standards doesn't mean you can't pull the information out and use it in your justification to the board.~ <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">~ <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">And lastly, at least talk about the state of your library.~ In California we're supposed to have 20 books for each student.~ Also, is your collection in good shape?~ Up to date?~ That can be another point for them to consider if your library isn't where it should be on numbers or content. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">~ <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Just try to state the facts and remember, if you don't succeed this time, don't give up.~ Every time your board gets more information about your position is a plus.~ I know I haven't covered everything in this email, but that's the best thing about LM_Net.~ Other people have probably already stated what I did and provided other ideas for you. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">~ <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">It's seems to be the case that no one outside of the library fully <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">understands the demands that are made on a school librarian <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">throughout the day. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">I'm a high school teacher and librarian, and teach two out of six <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">periods with the remaining four as library periods, so I understand <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">your situation. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">I'm presently completing my specialist on-line and we have been <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">discussing advocacy for the library. We are being encouraged to  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">think about how <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">you would advocate for your library program to your principal - in  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">your case, it's for your job - but really they're the same thing, if   <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">you can justify why <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">your program is essential for your school, there's no other choice <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">than to keep you on in your position. Can I recommend that you read <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">a Canadian report titled, <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">"Crisis in Canadian Libraries" by Dr. Ken Haycock. Although it is  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">focussed on Canadian schools, it contains many references to   <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">international <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">studies on the relationship between student achievement and the <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">library because there have been very few Canadian ones. One <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">significant international <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">finding was that the decline of support for quality school libraries <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">and Teacher-Librarians is related to falling student achievement. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">The study is broken <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">down into sections such as "Impact on Learning", "Impact on Reading" <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">and "Impact on Cultural Identity". I think it would give you the <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">ammunition you <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">need to make a strong case for your position. I hope you're  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">successful, good luck! <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Also NCLIS - the National Commission on Libraries and <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Information Science has a Statement on Value of  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">School Libraries in pdf <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">the link is  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">

<span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">[|http://www.nclis.gov/info/schoollibraryactivities.html </span]> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">ALA has a few things on their website. This may help.

[|__http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/AASL_Survey_Results.ppt__]<span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">The third edition (2008) of School Libraries Work! is now available for <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">download as a .pdf from <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">[|http://librarypublishing.scholastic.com/content/stores/LibraryStore/page </span]> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">s/images/SLW3.pdf. <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">

[|__http://www.marinette.k12.wi.us/ms/lmsimp.htm__] <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)"> <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">Although I no longer teach there, we went from having them cut library <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">at one board meeting to only have them reinstate the positions at the <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">next based on the PowerPoint at the bottom of the page. Some of it is  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">obviously outdated. . . but it would be a start for you. Good luck. If  <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 16)">I can help you in any way, please don't hesitate to contact me.