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Volume 11, Issue 1
April 2012
Association News
Education News
Resources for School Librarians
Grants & Awards
Professional Development
Partnership News
Member Spotlight
AASL Invites You to Celebrate School Library Month!
AASL invites all to celebrate School Library Month (SLM) during the month of April. The 2012 theme, You Belong @ Your Library, will highlight the role strong school libraries play in a student’s educational career. Select activities and resources for the month include:
During School Library Month, school librarians are encouraged to create activities to help their school and local community celebrate and should visit the SLM Web pages regularly to find continuously updated resources and information. School librarians are also encouraged to take part in AASL’s social communities on Facebook, Twitter, and ALA Connect, where library professionals will be sharing information about the activities happening in their school library programs.
AASL Presents Complimentary Knowledge Quest Webinar on Coteaching
AASL will offer a webinar on "Coteaching," Tuesday, April 10 at 7 p.m. CDT for AASL members. Join Judi Moreillon and Susan Ballard as they discuss the exciting ways in which school librarians and teachers can work together, and what effect teaching collaboration has on school library programs and students. This webinar is part of a series that explores topics related to the editorial themes of Knowledge Quest. Webinars are open and complimentary for all personal AASL members. More information and how to register can be found at the Knowledge Quest Webinar page.
 Vote in the 2012 ALA/AASL Election!
Representation is essential for school library concerns and issues to be addressed. AASL has more than 8,000 possible votes to cast and the potential to be heard. Raise your voice in ALA and vote this month. Polls are now open and votes must be received by April 27. Visit the ALA Website for more information on the 2012 ALA Election. Visit the AASL Website for 2012 AASL Election information.
AASL Seeks Proposals for ALA 2013 Annual Conference Programs
AASL invites proposals for programs to be presented during the American Library Association (ALA) 2013 Annual Conference. The conference will be held June 27- July 2 in Chicago. The submission deadline is 5:00 pm CDT on Friday, June 1, 2012. AASL seeks proposals for 90 90-minute concurrent sessions and half- or full-day preconference workshops. All programs should include up to three learning objectives and should address how the session supports the AASL Strategic Plan, the AASL Standards for the 21st-Century Learner, and/or Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Programs. The AASL Annual Conference committee will evaluate proposals for clarity, originality, and timeliness. Submissions will only be accepted via the online form. Submitters will be notified as to the proposal's status on or before Friday, July
13, 2012.
 Library of Congress Invites AASL Members to Participate
in Bibliographic Data and Cataloging Survey
You are invited and encouraged to participate in a survey studying the value and use of Library of Congress’ bibliographic data and cataloging products. The Library will use survey results as part of a strategic study to guide its response to this changing environment, supporting the Library in its goal to effectively define its future role, adapt a sustainable financial model, and better serve its mission in the years ahead. This survey is directed at managers of cataloging and technical services units, catalogers, and vendors and distributors of bibliographic data and tools. Log in to the survey as user: catalog. The password is survey. The survey will close at Midnight Pacific Time, Thursday April 12.
AASL Seeks Researcher for Survey Analysis
AASL is seeking a researcher or team of researchers to assist in a data analysis of its national longitudinal survey of school library programs, School Libraries Count! The data to be analyzed runs from the survey’s inception in 2007 through 2011. The researcher, or research team selected, will be expected to create a statistical analysis using five years of raw survey data from School Libraries Count! and create a report to be published and distributed by AASL. While AASL will share the entire report with AASL members, the researcher or research team will work with AASL to submit selected results in peer-reviewed journals outside of the school library profession. Additionally, the researcher or research team will collaborate with AASL to
submit programs related to the findings to venues both inside and outside the profession.
Those interested should submit a cover letter describing their qualifications, resume and a proposal detailing how the required tasks will be completed to the AASL office no later than May 25. Visit AASL’s Request for Proposals page to submit a proposal and for contact information. Finalists will be interviewed by phone or in-person during the ALA 2012 Annual Conference taking place June 20-26 in Anaheim, Calif.
 Best-Selling Author Carmen Agra Deedy to Speak at AASL Awards Luncheon
New York Times best-selling author Carmen Agra Deedy will speak during the annual Awards Luncheon for AASL. The luncheon will be held Monday, June 25, during the ALA 2012 Annual Conference in Anaheim, Calif. Deedy’s children's books have won numerous awards, including the Jane Addams Peace Association Book Award, the International Latino Book Award and the Best Children's Books of the Year from the Bank Street College of Education. She served as the 2008 spokesperson for AASL's School Library Month and has shared her stories with hundreds of thousands of school children.
The AASL Awards Luncheon highlights the best of the best in the school library field and gives members a chance to celebrate the accomplishments of their colleagues. Luncheon tickets are $55 and must be purchased in advance. Deedy’s appearance at the awards luncheon is sponsored by Peachtree Publishers. To register for the luncheon, and for more information about this and other AASL events at the 2012 ALA Annual Conference, visit the conference website.
AASL's eAcademy Offers Additional Online Courses
Register now for one or more of AASL’s e-Academy courses scheduled through the end of summer. The four-week self-paced courses are designed to give participants 12 hours of learning led by experts in the school library field. The upcoming courses include:
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Jul. 9 – Aug. 3 Design for Understanding Meets the 21st Century School Librarian
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Jul. 16 – Aug. 10 From 0 to 60: Implement eBooks in Your Library Program in 4 Weeks
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Jul. 16 – Aug. 10 Making a Place, Making a Case for Read-Alouds: A Powerful Teaching Tool for Literacy
AASL e-Academy courses are led in Moodle, a Web-based online learning system that students access from their browser. Each course is designed with the busy school librarian in mind - participants can complete coursework at a time that is most convenient for them. Detailed descriptions of each course and registration information are available on the AASL e-Academy pages.
 Author Henry Jenkins Anchors AASL Fall Forum
AASL is proud to welcome renowned author and media studies scholar Henry Jenkins as keynote speaker and primary facilitator of the 2012 Fall Forum. Author and editor of more than a dozen books on media and popular culture, Jenkins will present his ideas and research Oct. 12-13, during "Transliteracy and the School Library Program" in Greenville, S.C. During the two-day institute, Jenkins will share his extensive expertise on participatory culture and help attendees identify the transliteracy skills students require to successfully navigate the new information landscape. More information on AASL 2012 Fall Forum on Transliteracy and the School Library Program can be found at the AASL Fall Forum website.
Speak Out for Libraries on ALA's Virtual Library Legislative Day
ALA's Virtual Library Legislative Day takes place on April 24, as part of National Library Legislative Day (NLLD). Hundreds of library advocates will visit Capitol Hill that day to meet with members of Congress and their staffs. Talking points and links to contact information for members of Congress are available at the Virtual Library Legislative Day Website. In addition, the website features bookmarks and posters for library advocates to print, email or post on their websites to help spread the word in their communities. More information about National Library Legislative Day, including a list of events for those who plan to participate in Washington, D.C., can be found online at the NLLD Website. Library advocates who cannot make it to Capitol Hill can still be part of the effort by calling or emailing their elected officials on April 24, or any time during the week of April 23-27.
Register for AASL Preconferences at the 2012 ALA Annual Conference
Registration for the June 21-26, 2012 ALA Annual Conference and AASL preconferences is now open! This year’s conference in Anaheim, CA will bring together more than 25,000 librarians, educators, authors, publishers, literacy experts, illustrators and the leading suppliers to the market. As part of this annual event, AASL will offer three exciting preconferences on Friday, June 22:
• The One Day Library Website
8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Andy Austin, Christopher Harris, and Brian Mayer present a make-and-take workshop with a fully functional library web portal ready to install on your organization's server. Using Drupal, an open source content management system, the presenters will lead participants through all the steps needed to build and maintain a website.
• Libraries in the Cloud
8:30 am to Noon
Doug Johnson will host this preconference on how libraries can benefit by moving to the cloud and what role librarians can play when staff and student applications become hosted. The session discusses the implication of hosted computer applications and resources on school library programs and the role of the school librarian.
• Leading Professional Development that Matters…and Works
12:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Debbie Abilock, Kristin Fontichiaro, and Violet H. Harada will discuss several professional development models for cultivating leadership in school librarians, and explore how schools can be improved from the inside out.
Ticket price information for these AASL preconferences can be found at the ALA Annual Conference Website. For more information on AASL preconferences and sessions at the 2012 ALA annual Conference visit the AASL @ ALA Annual Conference website.
Sign Up to Receive the AASL Advocacy Tip of the Day
Looking for activities that foster collaboration, bring patrons and partners into your library, elevate visibility of your program in your school community, or save you time or money to devote to strategic initiatives? Then sign up to receive AASL’s Advocacy Tip of the Day. Populated by submissions from AASL members and the professional community, the Tip of the Day contains valuable ideas to help librarians and their programs remain relevant and innovative. School Librarians may receive the AASL Advocacy Tip of the Day via email or text. Recipients can set preferences to receive advocacy tips daily, Monday through Friday, weekly or once a month. If you have tips to share then please also consider submitting them to us!
 Knowledge Quest Poll Offers Unique Member Feedback
Have you ever wondered what your peers think about school library issues? The bi-monthly Knowledge Quest poll offers you some answers! A new poll is posted each time an issue of Knowledge Quest is released. The question for each poll is based on the theme of the upcoming issue. Results from previous polls, featuring response percentages and participant comments, are available at the poll website. Participate in our latest poll, "How do you show care for students in your school library?" today!
MetLife Survey Reveals Increased Dissatisfaction with Education Jobs
The 28th Annual MetLife Survey of the American Teacher reports the past two years have seen a 15 point decline in educator satisfaction with their profession, the lowest level in the survey for over two decades. This decline is coupled with large increases in teachers who say they are likely to leave teaching, and in those who feel job insecurity. The study found that educators satisfied with their jobs likely have adequate opportunities for professional development, time to collaborate with other teachers, more preparation and supports to engage parents effectively, and more coming together of parents and schools to improve learning and success of students. According to the study, three-quarters of educators have faced budget cuts in their schools in the last year, and two-thirds of respondents reported layoffs of teachers, parent/community liaisons, or other staff, as well as a reduction in school budgets, programs, and services.
New AP Courses to Emphasize Critical Thinking and Research
An AP/Cambridge Interdisciplinary Investigations and Critical Reasoning Seminar, developed in collaboration with Cambridge International Examinations, will be tested over three years in 15 to 18 high schools starting this fall. The new program, recently announced by the College Board, will have students work in teams to research and write topics of global relevance. Each school can choose its own topic and pair different disciplines, such as history and English. Students will write a 4,500 to 5,000-word paper that will be evaluated on the students' ability to design, plan, and manage a research project, analyze information, and communicate their findings. The program will be piloted in a diverse mix of public and private schools in urban, suburban, and rural areas. For schools to offer these new courses, educators would be required to complete a one-week summer institute offered through a university. The course was created to better develop the research
skills of college-bound students.
Study Finds Core Knowledge Program Boosts Student Reading Comprehension in NYC Schools
A study conducted by the Education Department found that second graders in New York City who were taught to read using the Core Knowledge program scored significantly higher on reading comprehension tests than did those in the comparison schools. For three years, a pilot program tracked the reading ability of approximately 1,000 students at 20 New York City schools, following them from kindergarten through second grade. Half of the schools adopted a curriculum designed by the education theorist E. D. Hirsch Jr.’s Core Knowledge Foundation. The other 10 used a “balanced literacy,” approach which has been used in NYC schools since 2003.
The study found that for each of the three years, students in the Core Knowledge program had greater one-year gains on a brief reading test than their peers in the comparison schools. The difference was most pronounced in kindergarten, when the scores of children following Dr. Hirsch’s method showed increases that were five times those of their peers. The scale score is based on the number of questions answered correctly, combined with the degree of difficulty of those questions. According to the study, the new curriculum could be useful in helping achieve new learning targets based on the Common Core Standards that New York and most other states have adopted. However, proponents of balanced literacy methods have voiced concern over the
study, arguing that the study focused on too few schools.
More than 150 Communities Commit to Improving Early Literacy
More than 150 cities, towns, and counties have pledged to improve literacy among their youngest citizens as part of a national campaign called the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. To be part of the network, communities had to submit detailed plans for how they will get children on track to be grade-level readers by the end of the 3rd grade, the crucial point at which students shift from learning to read to reading to learn. The national campaign is a project of several funders and is being headed up by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which invests heavily in efforts to improve early childhood and strengthen families. As part of their plans to improve early literacy, each community has proposed strategies for addressing three key issues that
affect the development of children's reading skills: school readiness, school attendance, and summer learning time. Visit the campaign for Grade-Level reading website to view the participating communities.
Fundraising Efforts by Marsh Middle School Students Renovates Library
In March, Nickelodeon aired a story about students at T.C. Marsh Middle school in Dallas who participated in a grassroots fundraising effort to renovate the library. In April, students, led by school librarian Mary Virginia Meeks, camped out in the library for a six hour read-a-thon, where they read books in exchange for pledges. They raised more than $1,700 to help their library. This effort was one of four stories, hand-selected by Nickelodeon, about empowered students who value their educational opportunities and have stepped in to help keep their school programs operating. The link will take you to a video clip and a local news story about T.C. Marsh Middle School and the contributions of Mary Virginia Meeks.
Resources for School Librarians
AASL Collaboration Tools Spotlighted in American Teacher Article
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) features an article, "Tap the School Library to Bring a Wider World to Students," in its March/April issue of American Teacher. The feature discusses AASL goals for school libraries and librarians when collaborating with teachers. A free PDF of the article is available at the AFT website. Click on the "Tools for Teachers" tab in the left navigation to view the article. For additional collaboration resources visit AASL’s website.
Free Earth Day Toolkits For School Librarians
Reading for the Earth is a national effort that promotes reading environmentally-themed books during the month of April, in honor of Earth Day (April 22). Organized by Earth Day Network and libraries around the country, the campaign aims to educate youth about the environment and to inspire them to read books more often. To join the effort, students will be asked to visit their local library, pick up a book and pledge to read it during the month of April. Each book pledged will be counted as an “act of green” in the A Billion acts of Green campaign, an international effort to collect one billion acts of environmental service. Earth Day Network is also encouraging libraries to sponsor Earth Day activities for students in their communities, including book readings and video screenings. To help librarians effectively mobilize young readers across the nation, Earth Day Network is providing free Reading for the Earth toolkits that contain the necessary
resources, including posters, suggested reading lists, contest templates and activity information for all interested librarians.
NetSmartz Offers Online Safety Education Kits for School Librarians
The NetSmartz Online Safety Education Kits are designed to be convenient and ready-to-use for teachers, school librarians, counselors, law-enforcement officers, and social service providers. Within these Kits, you will find resources such as an interactive PowerPoint presentation, a full-size poster, safety pledges, tip sheets, lesson plans, and a resource manual. All of these age-appropriate materials will help you engage children while teaching them how to be safer online. You can request your free copy of the Elementary School Online Safety Education Kit by visiting the NetSmartz website.
McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation Offers Academic Enrichment Grants
The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation offers Academic Enrichment Grants designed to develop in-class and extra-curricular programs that improve student learning. The foundation considers proposals that foster understanding, deepen students' knowledge, and provide opportunities to expand awareness of the world around them. The maximum award is $10,000 per year for three years. Educators employed by schools or non-profit organizations with the background and experience to complete the project successfully and who have direct and regular contact with students in grades pre-k to 12 from low-income households, are eligible. The deadline is April 15.
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Seeks Applicants for Young Scholars Program
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholars Program selects high-achieving youth in the Unites States with financial need and provides them, throughout their high school years, with individualized educational services that enable them to develop their talents and abilities. The maximum award is funding and support services. Applicants must be in the 7th grade when they apply and able to demonstrate financial need. The deadline is April 16.
Discovery Education and 3M Issue Young Scientist Challenge
With the Discovery Education/3M Young Scientist Challenge, students have the opportunity to create an engaging one- to two-minute science video that identifies and solves an everyday problem related to the way we move, the way we keep ourselves healthy, or the way we make a difference. The maximum award is $25,000; the title of "America's Top Young Scientist"; a trip from Discovery Student Adventures; a contest trophy. All legal U.S. residents who are students enrolled in 5th through 8th grade at a public, private, parochial, or home school located in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia are eligible. The deadline is April 19.
AT&T Offers Grants for Social Innovation
AT&T is accepting applications until April 27 to fund programs working to improve high school graduation rates, especially those that use social innovation to reach out to underserved populations and those at risk of dropping out. Grants between $100,000 and $300,000 will be awarded for a 24-month period starting this fall. School districts, campuses, and educational foundations are eligible. For more information about the request for proposals, go to the AT&T Aspire Local High School Impact Initiative.
Target Offers Early Childhood Reading Grants
Target's Early Childhood Reading Grants promote a love of reading and encourages young children to read together with their families by supporting programs such as after-school reading events and weekend book clubs. The maximum award is $2,000. Schools, libraries, and nonprofit organizations are eligible. The deadline is April 30.
Target Offers Arts and Culture in School Grants
Target Arts and Culture in Schools Grants help schools and nonprofits to bring arts and cultural experiences directly to K-12 students. These programs must have a curriculum component. The maximum award is $2,000. Schools and nonprofit organizations are eligible. The deadline is April 30.
Unsung Heroes Awards Recognize Innovative Thinking in Education
The ING Unsung Heroes awards program recognizes innovative and progressive thinking in education through monetary awards. The maximum award is $25,000. Full-time educators, teachers, principals, paraprofessionals, or classified staff members with effective projects that improve student learning at an accredited K-12 public or private school, are eligible. The deadline is April 30.
American Honda Foundation Offers Grants for Education
The American Honda Foundation makes grants to K-12 schools, colleges, universities, trade schools, and other youth-focused nonprofit organizations for programs that benefit youth and scientific education. The maximum award is $60,000. Schools and youth-focused nonprofit organizations are eligible. The deadline is May 1.
Department of Education Issues Startup Challenge
The U.S. Department of Education is offering a National Education Startup Challenge. Students are invited to submit a business plan and a video clip promotion for a non-profit startup that includes an innovative strategy, product, or service designed to address one of four topics. Do you have innovative ideas on how to: (1) help middle school students’ transition to high school and graduate; (2) develop skills for success in postsecondary education; (3) choose affordable colleges that best suit student needs, consistent with their education and career goals; or (4) increase the likelihood students complete their college degrees on time or early? The deadline for submissions is May 1. Winning students will be celebrated by White House and Department officials and may qualify for additional recognition opportunities.
Next Generation Learning Challenges Announces Third Wave of Grants
Recognizing the need for a fundamental change in the way education is designed and delivered across secondary and postsecondary institutions, Next Generation Learning Challenges (NGLC) has announced the availability of $12 million in grants for comprehensive whole school and college models that use technology to achieve more personalized learning experiences. Funding is being provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Initial applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until June 8, 2012. Visit the Next Generation website for more information.
NAIS Offers Challenge 20/20
The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) invites schools to participate in Challenge 20/20, a program that brings together one school from the United States and one school from outside of the United States. Teacher-student teams from both schools work together throughout the fall 2012 school semester to come up with a solution to a global problem. Challenge 20/20 is based on Jean Francois Rischard's book, High Noon: 20 Global Problems, 20 Years to Solve Them. All U.S. schools, elementary and secondary, public or private, are eligible. The deadline to enter is August 17.
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IMLS Makes WebWise Conference Highlight Video Available
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has posted the webcast of its annual WebWise 2012 Conference. A signature initiative of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the WebWise Conference brings together representatives of museums, libraries, archives, systems science, education, and other fields to explore the many opportunities made possible by digital technologies. WebWise 2012 took up the theme of "Tradition and Innovation," investigating how libraries and museums have used digital technologies to help scholars, students, educators, and the general public understand history and the humanities. This year’s conference took special note of the unique contributions that historical societies, public libraries, and other small and local organizations make to humanities scholarship and education. Highlights of the webcast include:
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A presentation by StoryCorps founder Dave Isay
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A talk by Ian MacKaye, founder of Dischord Records, about his DIY archive, the Fugazi Live Series
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A keynote address by John Palfrey, Chair of the Digital Public Library of America Steering Committee, about the goals of the DPLA and the first steps toward the realizing a large-scale digital public library that will make the cultural and scientific record available to all
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Preconference sessions on the use of museum and library collections in developing online gaming and on engaging 21st century learners
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Panel discussions on mobile technology as a means of engaging people in history, crowd sourcing in public history work, data visualizations in the cultural heritage field, creating and preserving oral history collections, multi-institutional solutions to digital challenges.
Uncon ference for School Librarians Focuses on
Serving Incarcerated and Detained Youth
There will be a gathering for school librarians to meet and discuss school library services for incarcerated youth on April 27 at Passages Academy in the Bronx, New York. The goal of the Unconference is to build a culture of literacy at schools in a variety of ways, including talking more about what school librarians are reading and teaching, and how students respond to these materials. The Unconference will also highlight best practices and hot topics in the school library. This one-day event is free and open to all practitioners in the field. Registration is limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis. All registrants will receive detailed directions. Those interested may register at the Unconference website. You can
also visit the Blogspot for more about the event.
ACSD Announces Call for Whole Child Network Applications
ASCD has announced a call for applications for its Whole Child Network (WCN) of schools. The Whole Child Network will comprise between 10 and 15 schools from across the United States and Canada. Each member school will receive a $10,000 grant for the 2012-13 school year, with the opportunity for renewal in the subsequent two school years, as well as customized support in implementing a whole child approach to education. Participating schools will also receive an ASCD Institutional membership, and up to five team members from each site will receive a trip to ASCD’s 2013 Annual Conference in Chicago.
Whole Child Network schools will kick off their participation in the network with a two and half day network wide training event during summer 2012, followed by one full-day, on-site training for each school, facilitated in partnership with ASCD’s Whole Child Programs staff, to introduce the whole child approach within the school community. Following that, ASCD staff will work in close consultation with school officials to design an implementation plan. Elements that may be a part of that plan include a needs assessment as well as customized face-to-face trainings, tools, and products that address the various needs identified by the assessment. This may include instructional program improvements, job-embedded professional development, student support, health and safety, and teacher/leader effectiveness.
Schools interested in applying should visit The ASCD Whole Child Website for more information. The deadline for schools to apply is April 30. For more information visit the ASCD Conference Website.
Call for Digital Learning Day 2013 Presenters
The Alliance for Excellent Education seeks to build upon the success of its first-ever Digital Learning Day by identifying and continuing to showcase teachers and schools that are effectively using digital learning technologies to accelerate student achievement. The Alliance seeks to highlight best practices and models where leaders are strategically and systemically incorporating technology into instructional practices including digital content, online courses & professional development, formative assessment, as well as the use of data to inform school improvement efforts. The Alliance invites any and all teachers, schools, districts, states and other organizations such as libraries, afterschool programs or community-based organizations to submit proposals to be considered for our work leading up to Digital Learning Day 2013. Such activities may include being showcased on our site, hosting a school visit, being highlighted in a case study,
having an opportunity for a teacher to be a guest blogger, developing tips of the day, or the potential to be featured in other ways leading up to Digital Learning Day 2013 on February 6, 2013. Submissions are due no later than April 27th. Visit the Digital Learning Day Website for more information.
 Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad Selected as Official Book for Jumpstart's Read for the Record 2012
Jumpstart and the Pearson Foundation today announced that Penguin’s Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad, by David Soman and Jacky Davis, has been selected as the official book of Jumpstart’s 2012 Read for the Record Campaign. Jumpstart’s Read for the Record is an annual reading celebration that highlights the need for quality early education in America by mobilizing adults and children to set a record for the largest shared reading experience. For the first time this year, Read for the Record will take place over a full
week— September 27 through October 4 — giving record breakers across the country even more opportunity to read and to support Jumpstart’s mission to work towards the day every child in America enters school prepared to succeed. Again this year, record breakers will also be able to take part by reading the book for free at We Give Books, the free digital reading initiative created by Penguin and the Pearson Foundation. The Ladybug Girl series, published by Penguin Young Readers Group’s Dial imprint, continues to find new readers year after year.
Idella Washington Delivers Thank You Message at Laura Bush Foundation's Gulf Coast School Recovery Event
Idella Washington, AASL member and school librarian at William Harte Elementary in Gretna, Louisiana, gave a thank you message on behalf of all all the grant recipients during the Laura Bush Foundation's recent Gulf Coast Recovery Event at Chalmette High School in New Orleans, where the Former First Lady announced twelve grants for hurricane-affected school libraries to rebuild their collections. Chalmette High School was the first school Mrs. Bush visited after Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005. Along with the 10 grants to Louisiana, and two to Pass Christian, Miss. school libraries, Bush also announced that all the 116 school libraries that have received grants from her foundation's Gulf Coast School Recovery
Initiative the past six years will also receive about $1,000 a piece. More than $500,000 in grants will be given to 12 schools across the Gulf Coast. To date, the Foundation has granted $14.1 million to all 50 states, including $6.3 million to rebuild Gulf Coast school libraries. All 116 schools that received awards since 2006 were invited to participate in this event and representatives from 77 of those schools were there.
Three AASL Members Named "Movers & Shakers" by Library Journal
AASL Members Andy Austin, library technologies specialist for the Genesee Valley School Library System in Le Roy, NY; Jennifer LaGarde, teacher-librarian at Myrtle Grove Middle School in Wilmington, NC; and Kristin Fontichiaro, clinical assistant professor at the University of Michigan, Ann arbor, MI were recently named 2012 Movers & Shakers by Library Journal. Movers & Shakers spotlights librarians and others in the library field who are doing extraordinary work to serve their users and to move libraries of all types and library services forward. Fifty-three people were named to the list in 2012. They are nominated by their colleagues, friends, bosses, and admirers.
 AASL Member Articles Featured in March Issue of Educational Leadership
AASL Members Debbie Abilock, and Joyce Kasman Valenza and Wendy Stephens, contributed feature stories to the March edition of Educational Leadership, ASCD's flagship publication and authoritative source of information about teaching and learning, new ideas and practices relevant to practicing educators, and the latest trends and issues affecting prekindergarten through higher education. Debbie Abilock, speaker, consultant and founding editor of AASL’s Knowledge Quest, wrote the feature “How Can Students Know Whether the Information they Find Online is True – or Not?” Joyce Kasman Valenza, school librarian at Springfield Township High School Library in Erdenheim, PA;
and Wendy Stephens, school librarian at Buckhorn High School in New Market, AL, co-authored the article, “Reading Remixed.”
 Robyn Young Participates in Panel on Technology and Student Learning at Grad Nation
Robyn Young, AASL member and school librarian at Avon High School in Avon, IN, recently participated in a panel discussion at the Building a Grad Nation Summit in Washington, DC. The Building a Grad Nation Summit is the premier event of Grad Nation, a 10-year campaign launched by America’s Promise Alliance to end the high school dropout crisis and prepare young people for college and the 21st century workforce. The central theme of the 2012 summit was the strong connection between quality education and thriving, economically sound communities. The panel, Exploring the Ways Technology Can Contribute to Student Learning, discussed the ever-changing technological landscape of our country, and the challenge of integrating new tools in a variety of ways to increase student engagement, understanding, and access. Other panel speakers included Bob Wise, head of the Alliance for Excellent Education; Dr. Michael J. Martirano,
superintendent at St. Mary's County Public Schools; Hope Johnston, teacher at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools; and Megan Parker, student at Eastern High School. Visit the America’s Promise Alliance Website to view the panel's PowerPoint presentation. Robyn represented AASL on behalf of the Educator Task Force which developed materials for Digital Learning Day.
Suzanna Panter's Dumbarton Elementary Library Named Virginia School Library of the Year
The Virginia Association of School Librarians (VaASL), the state affiliate of AASL, has selected Dumbarton Elementary School’s library as the School Library of the Year. Dumbarton was selected for implementing best practices, which include open access and flexible scheduling. Through use of technology, collaboration, and cross-curricular lessons, school librarian Suzanna Panter provides leadership for the instructional program. She integrates information literacy, skillful research and inquiry, and ethical use of technology for all students. The mission of the Dumbarton Elementary library program is to “actively engage students and staff in diverse learning experiences that inspire and empower them to think critically, create passionately, share selflessly, and grow abundantly.” This mission is achieved by focusing on collaboration, inquiry based learning, self-assessment for students and the importance of reading. You can read
more about Suzanna Panter and the Dumbarton School Library in an article published in the Henrico Citizen.
AASL Members Offer Video on Importance of Certified School Librarians
AASL Members Dr. Ruth V. Small and Dr. Barbara K. Stripling, along with Dr. R. David Lankes have created a three minute video that speaks to the importance of certified school librarians in New York schools. All three are faculty members at Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies. Although the video targets New York State librarians, it can be used by any school librarian anywhere.
We love to brag about our members! Looking to make it into AASL's Member Spotlight? Submit your spotlight to Markisan Naso for inclusion in the next Member Spotlight segment.
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