When the middle school LMS retired two years ago in our district, a para was hired to fill the role (we lost eight certified positions across our small district that year). Luckily, my administrators remain committed to reinstating the position, but it still didn't make it into this year's budget. My colleague Rebecca and I advocate for its reintroduction every year. Here's a doc on which I compiled research links on the value/ role of the LMS. Barbara Johnson also helped put me in touch with someone at the ALA who wrote us a nice letter to share with admin/ BOE. I hope that helps. 
-Katie



Katie Tietjen

Library Media Specialist

East Hampton High School

(860) 365-4030 ext. 1070

https://sites.google.com/easthamptonps.org/bellringerlibrary/home

Twitter @bellringerbooks



From: CASL-L <casl-l-bounces@mylist.net> on behalf of Deloma, Jaclyn <jdeloma@seymourschools.org>
Sent: Friday, February 21, 2020 8:45 AM
To: David Bilmes <dbilmes@sbcglobal.net>; Casl List Serv <casl-l@mylist.net>
Subject: Re: [CASL-L] Benefits of a LMS in a 1:1 school
 

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Good Morning!

 

I agree and would love to see and collect the same information if possible.  The district I was formerly in cut the LMS at their middle schools, and I was the “acting LMS”, title was a tutor position, for the last year and a half.  I employed lessons, collaborations, readers’ advisory and additional events as though I was the LMS, putting forth concerted effort to have the position reinstated.  I developed a strong rapport with staff and students who advocated for the position as well.  I recently left to accept a contractual LMS position in Seymour at an elementary school; however, just recently discovered their LMS has been cut at the middle school AND high school.  Luckily, the other LMS and I are collaborating in March to devise a curriculum for our district, and I believe the plan is to reinstate the LMS positions at the secondary level.

 

I am also collecting articles, information and data to prove the valuable nature of our position and forwarding it along to my former administrator to assist his endeavors in advocating for reinstatement of the position.  Any info/data you have would be greatly appreciated!!

 

Thanks and Happy Friday!

 

Jackie DeLoma

LMS

Bungay Elementary School

 

From: CASL-L [mailto:casl-l-bounces@mylist.net] On Behalf Of David Bilmes
Sent: Thursday, February 20, 2020 7:22 PM
To: Casl List Serv <casl-l@mylist.net>
Subject: [CASL-L] Benefits of a LMS in a 1:1 school

 

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Our district is going to a 1:1 policy next year, with students being issued Chromebooks. We are also moving into a brand-new middle school, with a beautiful media center which the current LMS helped design. However, the superintendent has presented a budget which calls for eliminating the middle-school LMS and replacing that position with para/clerk, who will help supervise the 1:1 program. Reportedly, the administration claims that since the district is going to be 1:1, there's no need for a librarian at the middle school.

 

We know it's an uphill battle, but we're going to speak at the upcoming Board of Ed meeting Tuesday night to advocate for the position not being cut. We've been gathering information, have been in touch with CASL and ALA, and are buoyed by reports that many of the middle school students have created and signed a petition to protest the position being cut. What would be helpful would be for those of you who work in 1:1 districts, and in particular in middle schools in those districts, to send me a few bullet points about the importance of having a fully certified LMS even in a 1:1 school. 

 

Thanks in advance for everyone's help and support.

 

David Bilmes

Oxford High School