Librarian Advocacy in Action

Neal, Jim. "Fight for School Libraries: Student Success Depends on Them." American Libraries, 1 Mar. 2018. Immediate Past ALA President Jim Neal is on our team!
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​Available in booklet format for printing as well as full-page format with internal bookmarks for desktop access, this 2018 project offers all stakeholders a visual guide to the multi-faceted skill set of certified school librarians. Please share widely!

EveryLibrary.org

Examples of EveryLibrary work - we can ask them for help for HISD if we have a specific ask at some point. Currently, neither Board not administration can be receptive in the face of the many other more immediate solutions needed.
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EveryLibrary. "Save Chicago School Librarians." SaveSchoolLibrarians, EveryLibrary, 2018.
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EveryLibrary. "Stop The Destruction of School Libraries in the US." SaveSchoolLibrarians, EveryLibrary, 30 Jan. 2018.

School Libraries Support Student Learning

The American Association of School Librarians offers many advocacy resources for librarians, administrators and parents to use in the quest to improve local campus libraries.
AASL Overview
AASL Advocacy Resources
AASL Essential Links on Advocacy
AASL Advocacy Resources for Administrators
AASL Advocacy Links for Parents
AASL Advocacy Links for Teachers
AASL Links to use with Public Relations and Legislators

"School Libraries Transform Learning” (magazine). AASL.(Sept. 2014.) A special issue of the American Libraries Magazine devoted to school library advocacy. It is available as a downloadable PDF.

Visualize a model school library program: 
         AASL brochures for FREE download
Hand, Dorcas, and Debbie Hall. "Students NEED Libraries - in HISD and Every School District." Knowledge Quest, vol. 46, no. 3, Jan.-Feb. 2018, pp. 8-13. Learn how SNL came to be, and what it does.
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BOOK
Being Indispensable: A School Librarian's Guide to Being an Invaluable Leader by Ruth Toor and Hilda Weisburg (Rev. Ed., ALA Editions, 2017)

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In December 2017, Leon Bolton offered on his blog a 5 part series about school libraries. He is based in the UK, but the posts are useful here as well. Check out smoe of his other posts if you have time.
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#1 Band, Barbara. "The Oft-Hidden Role of the School Library." Leon's Library Blog, Leon Bolton, 2 Dec. 2017.

#2 Hutchinson, Elizabeth. "School Librarians and Why Our Children Need Them." Leon's Library Blog, Leon Bolton, 6 Dec. 2017.

#3 Maxwell, Lucas. "Connecting Students with Technology in the School Library." Leon's Library Blog, Leon Bolton, 10 Dec. 2017.

#4 Imrie, Matt. "Building the Reader of Tomorrow Today." Leon's Library Blog, Leon Bolton, 14 Dec. 2017.
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#5 Roche, Caroline. "School Librarians at Their Best!" Leon's Library Blog, Leon Bolton, 18 Dec. 2017.

Advocating for School Librarians: The peril and promise of school libraries by Barbara K. Stripling

American Libraries, January8, 2014
"The promise of libraries is in peril..." Stripling offers five aspects of libraries essential to strong schools:
  • Culture of literacy
  • Culture of inquiry
  • Social and emotional growth
  • Creativity and imagination
  • Thoughtful use of technology
  • before she states: "We must stand together and demand the right of every young person to have a dynamic school library that is staffed by a certified school librarian."

21st Century School Libraries: Parent Engagement and Student Achievement

This online tutorial comes to us from the Ontario Ministry of Education and Engage Literacy, Inc. Its Canadian roots do not diminish its usefulness here in Houston or anywhere in the US or around the world.