FYI. Excellent response Ava. Woot!

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Ava Biffer <ava.biffer@easthaddamschools.org>
To: "kwidz@sbcglobal.net" <kwidz@sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Mon, June 4, 2012 12:33:27 PM
Subject: FW: Extant digital literacy "corps"

Another drop in the bucket...

Ava M. Biffer

Library Media Specialist

Nathan Hale-Ray Middle School

Moodus, CT 06469

Voice: 860.873.5081 x129

Email: ava.biffer@easthaddamschools.org

"Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." John Dewey

From: Ava Biffer
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2012 12:32 PM
To: Julius.Genachowski@fcc.gov
Subject: Extant digital literacy "corps"

Sir:

After reading the NY Times May 30, 2012 article entitled “Wasting Time is New Digital Divide in Digital Era” I feel compelled to comment. I am a school librarian which means that I have had extensive graduate work teaching me to give instruction in information literacy skills as well as integrating those skills in all areas of instruction. I have a great deal of experience in my field and continue to participate in coursework and training to ensure that my skills are current. I collaborate and co-teach with classroom teachers, both to expand the teachers' skill set and to create and deliver instruction for students that incorporates digital literacy skills. The literacy corps you envision already exists: I am but one tiny part of that corps. However, school libraries and their professional staff are often the victims of budget cutting in difficult economic times. The expert corps of school librarians is continually threatened by the lack of funding.

May I respectfully suggest that you use your influence to support the SKILLS Act as introduced by Representatives Grijalva, Holt, and Woolsey and Senators Reed and Cochran? Your informed opinion (and perhaps your funding) could help recognize and utilize the extant digital literacy corps of school librarians.