[CASL-L] School Libraries and Librarians are Critical to Educational Success resolution for ALA Council

[IRENE KWIDZINSKI]

FYI


----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Sara Kelly Johns <skjohns at gmail.com>
To: aaslforum at ala.org; SLMS-School Library Media <nyla-slms at lm.nyla-omc.org>
Sent: Fri, June 22, 2012 12:23:59 PM
Subject: [aaslforum] School Libraries and Librarians are Critical to Educational 
Success resolution for ALA Council

Pasted below is the resolution and the appendix (bibliography)  authored by the 
cross-division ALA Presidential Task  Force. President-Elect Susan Ballard was 
one of the members of the task force. It was unanimously passed by the AASL  
Board in an online vote for me as AASL division councilor to propose the  
resolution; Cynthia Czesak, NJ Chapter Councilor and member of the TF is 
seconding t. It went to the Resolutions Committee of Council yesterday  AM and 
is on the agenda of several divisions here at conference for endorsement: ALSC,  
YALSA, ACRL, PLA are ones that I know about personally. It may change somewhat 
between now and Council II on Monday and I will post the final version. 


 
School Libraries and Librarians are Critical to Educational Success
(Proposed ALA Resolution – ALA 2012 Annual Conference)
 
Whereas, school librarians help students acquire unique skills not taught in the 
classroom and information and technology skills essential for students in the 
21st century; and
 
Whereas, there has been research conducted in 22 states and a Canadian Province 
 that provides significant evidence indicating the value added to student’s 
academic development by the presence of a strong school library program led by a 
credentialed librarian; 

 
Whereas, the most universal finding is that the presence of full-time, 
credentialed school librarians and appropriate support staff who implement a 
quality, school integrated program of library services is directly related to 
these student educational gains; and
 
Whereas,it has been shown that incremental increases in the following can result 
in incremental gains in student learning:
 
·       Increased hours of access for both individual student visits and group 
visits by classes
·       Larger collections of print and electronic resources with access at 
school and from home
·       Up-to-date technology with connectivity to databases and automated 
collections
·       Instruction implemented in collaboration with teachers that is 
integrated with classroom curriculum and allows students to learn and practice 
such 21stcentury skills as problem-solving, critical thinking and communication 
of ideas and information
·       Increased student usage of school library services
·       Higher total library expenditures
·       Leadership activities by the librarian in providing professional 
development for teachers, serving  on key committees, and meeting regularly with 
the principal; and
 
Whereas, quality school library programs may play an even greater role in 
providing academic support to those students who come from economically 
disadvantaged backgrounds in closing the achievement gap and assuring that all 
students are prepared with the 21st century skills they need to succeed in 
college and career; and
 
Whereas, current educational legislation, reform efforts and best practices 
including ESEA, the Common Core State Standards, STEM education and College and 
Career Readiness efforts expound on the need for students to:
  
·       Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge 
·       Draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new 
situations, and create new knowledge
·       Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of 
our democratic society 

·       Pursue personal and aesthetic growth; and
 
Whereas, school librarians instruct students and provide the school community 
ongoing experiences in learning to develop research questions and related skills 
in accessing, evaluating, synthesizing and utilizing  information to create and 
present new understandings; and
 
Whereas,school libraries provide equitable physical and intellectual access to 
the resources and tools required for learning in a stimulating, and safe 
environment; and 

Whereas, the de-professionalization and curtailment of school library 
instructional programs has not only had a negative impact on students and 
student achievement in K-12 learning environments,  but also a negative impact 
on the ability of youth to utilize the resources of public and academic 
libraries;  and 

 
Whereas, more than 28,000 citizens signed a White House petition to ensure that 
every child in America has access to an effective school library program and 
asking that the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
(ESEA) provide dedicated funding to help support effective school library 
programs in order to ensure more students have access to the school librarians, 
resources and tools that constitute a 21st century learning environment; and 

 
Whereas, in its response, the Obama administration acknowledged that “reading is 
the foundation upon which all other learning is built, and school libraries play 
a significant role in constructing and enriching that foundation. School 
libraries do much more than house books and store data: a school library can 
broaden the horizon of learning for students and link them with communities and 
experiences far beyond their own classroom and community”; and that “Literacy is 
critical to the success of our students and to our strength as a nation.”
 
Whereas, members of the American Library Association, as librarians, educators 
and contributors to our communities, recognize that there is an interdependence 
among types of libraries within a community,  where what affects school 
libraries affects our profession as a whole, and that school libraries are at 
the center of this ecosystem; and members of ALA have an obligation to help 
ensure that every child in America  receives a strong foundation in literacy, 
 including the critical thinking skills necessary to thrive in a dynamic and 
competitive 21st century economy, now, therefore, be it 

 
Resolved, that the American Library Association Council
1.     directs the ALA Presidential Task Force to lead the Association in its 
continued mission to address the urgent need for advocacy for school libraries, 
school librarians, and the impact of the de-professionalization and curtailment 
of school library instructional programs on students and student achievement, 
continuing to engage librarians of all types from across the association to 
advocate for school libraries, which are imperative to the survival and success 
of all libraries; 

2.     encourages state associations and affiliates to influence state 
legislation requiring adequate funding and appropriate staffing of school 
libraries in schools at all levels; 

3.      places a high priority on seeing that upcoming ESEA legislation 
recognizes and specifically supports the necessity for effective school library 
programs and credentialed school librarians;
4.     works to encourage federal lobbying efforts to include school libraries 
in legislation and regulations, including areas such as digital literacy and 
broadband; and, 

5.     will actively seek partnerships with national organizations to reach 
mutual goals of sustaining school libraries. 

Mover: Sara Kelly Johns, AASL: skjohns at gmail.com

Seconder: Cynthia Czesak, Chapter Relations Committee: czesak at patersonpl.org 
School Libraries and Librarians are Critical to Educational Success
(Proposed ALA Resolution – ALA 2012 Annual Conference)
 
Appendix
 
 
American Association of School Librarians. 2007. Standards for the 21st Century 
Learner. Chicago, Illinois: American Library Association. 
http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/guidelinesandstandards/learningstandards/AASL_Learning_Standards_2007.pdf.

            Access date: 4 June 2012
 
Harvey, Carl, et. al. 2012. “Ensure That Every Child in America Has Access to an 
Effective School Library Program”. White House Petition and Official Response. 
https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions/!/petition/ensure-every-child-america-has-access-effective-school-library-program/tmlbRqfF?utm_source=wh.gov&utm_medium=shorturl&utm_campaign=shorturl.

            Access date: 7 June 2012
 
 
Kachel, Debra, et. al. 2011. School Library Research, Summarized: A Graduate 
Class Project. Mansfield, Pennsylvania: SchoolLibrary & Information Technologies 
Department, Mansfield University.
http://libweb.mansfield.edu/upload/kachel/ImpactStudy.pdf.
            Access date: 4 June 2012
 
 
Library Research Service. 2010. School Library Impact Studies. Denver, Colorado. 
http://www.lrs.org/impact.php.
            Access date: 4 June 2012
 
 
Scholastic Library Publishing. 2008. School Libraries Work! 3rd ed. New York, 
New York. 
http://listbuilder.scholastic.com/content/stores/LibraryStore/pages/images/SLW3.pdf.

            Access date: 4 June 2012
 

 
 

-- 
Sara Kelly Johns, School Librarian
Lake Placid Middle/High School Library
Instructor, Mansfield University School Library & Information Technology Program
AASL Division Councilor. ALA Council
AASL Legislative Committee
67 Canaras Ave.
Saranac Lake, NY 12983
johns at northnet.org
skjohns at gmail.com





"All knowledge is spendable currency, depending on the market"--Maya Angelou, I 
Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
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