[Libs-Or] Fwd: [alacro-l] ALA, AASL collaborate with NJLA and NJASL to support South Orange school libraries

[Suzanne Sager]

FYI,

Suzanne L. Sager

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Don Wood <dwood at ala.org>
Date: Tue, Mar 29, 2016 at 1:27 PM
Subject: [alacro-l] ALA, AASL collaborate with NJLA and NJASL to support
South Orange school libraries
To: "alacro-l at lists.ala.org" <alacro-l at lists.ala.org>


The American Library Association (ALA) and the American Association of
School Librarians (AASL) collaborated with the New Jersey Library
Association and the New Jersey Association of School Librarians to oppose
proposed cuts to school librarians in the South Orange Maplewood School
District.

The proposed cuts come on the heels of statewide property tax limits that
leave the school district with projected income that is unable to keep pace
with expenses.

In a unified voice, these organizations pointed out the essential role of
school librarians in preparing students to succeed in school and as
citizens. In a March 18 op-Ed in the Village Green, ALA President Sari
Feldman and AASL President Leslie Preddy note the many roles librarians
fill within their learning communities: “A school librarian is a certified
teacher who provides a continuum of information literacy instruction; an
information expert who curates a collection of resources that are tailored
to a school’s learning objectives and its students’ unique needs; and a
technology specialist who develops ethical and capable digital citizens.
School librarians are also essential partners to their colleagues, bringing
instructional resources, technology and literacy tools to the curriculum,
as well as professional development to teachers and staff.”

Feldman and Preddy also note the consistent and broad research that shows
student achievement is higher in districts with certified school
librarians. They point specifically to a 2010 study of New Jersey school
libraries by Rutgers University that echoes this research.

The full op-ed is available here.

The American Library Association and American Association of School
Librarians are concerned to learn that the South Orange Maplewood School
District proposes to cut school librarian positions from the 2016-2017
budget. Now, more than ever, school librarians play a vital role in
preparing students for success in an increasingly complex information
landscape.

School librarians are the heart of vibrant learning communities and wear
many hats. A school librarian is a certified teacher who provides a
continuum of information literacy instruction; an information expert who
curates a collection of resources that are tailored to a school’s learning
objectives and its students’ unique needs; and a technology specialist who
develops ethical and capable digital citizens. School librarians are also
essential partners to their colleagues, bringing instructional resources,
technology and literacy tools to the curriculum, as well as professional
development to teachers and staff.

Classroom libraries are not the answer. School librarians develop
collections that address a diverse range of student academic needs,
abilities, and personal interests, and the resources available through the
school library are equitably available to all students. It would be
prohibitively expensive and spatially impossible to replicate this depth
and range in a classroom library. With classroom libraries, students have
less access to the resources they need to succeed as students; and they
have less opportunity to develop their passion for reading, ignite their
curiosities, and blossom as lifelong learners.

The newly reauthorized federal education statute, The Every Student
Succeeds Act, includes provisions that specifically support school library
programs, school librarians and the role they play in academic achievement,
literacy and digital citizenship. This legislation recognizes the value
that strong school library programs bring to student learning.

SOMSD librarians have received national recognition from such organizations
as code.org, the International Society for Technology in Education, and the
Academy of Education Arts and Sciences. In addition, two SOMSD libraries
have received School Library Media Program of the Year awards from the New
Jersey Association of School Libraries. With a track record of strong
library programs, your school librarians are well-positioned as partners in
developing ESSA-aligned plans for the district’s literacy, digital
literacy, and community learning initiatives.

Numerous studies from across the nation—including a 2010 study of New
Jersey School Libraries conducted by Rutgers University—show that student
achievement is higher in schools with certified teacher librarians. As
Rutgers lead researcher Dr. Ross Todd stated, “New Jersey school libraries
and school librarians contribute in rich and diverse ways to the
intellectual life of a school, and to the development of students who can
function in a complex and increasingly digital information environment.”[1]
<http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2016/03/ala-aasl-collaborate-njla-and-njasl-support-south-orange-school-libraries#_ftn1>

The return on investment in school libraries is clear. While the
elimination of school librarian positions might seem like the answer to
current budget challenges, the long term cost to the students and your
district will outweigh any short term savings. We urge the South Orange
Maplewood Board of Education to reconsider the proposed cuts.





Don Wood
Program Officer
Chapter Relations Office
<http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/cro/index.cfm>
American Library Association
50 East Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611
dwood at ala.org
1-800-545-2433, ext. 2429; 312-280-2429
312-280-4392 (fax)
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“Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only
thing.”—Albert Schweitzer

“One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen, can change the world.”—Malala
Yousafzai

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to improve the world.”—Anne Frank




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-- 
Suzanne L. Sager
Oregon ALA Representative
Portland State University Library
PO Box 1151
Portland, OR  97207-1151

Phone: 503-725-8169
Fax: 503-725-5799

email: sagers at pdx.edu
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