[aisle] School Reopening Guidelines and AISLE Advocacy Efforts

[Jennifer Walsh]

Thank you!!!

On Fri, Jul 3, 2020 at 12:08 PM President AISLE via AISLE <
aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:

> Statement to Members- Re ISBE Re-Opening Guidelines - July 2020
>
> Last week ISBE issued the guidelines for opening schools this fall. As a
> profession, we were disappointed by how school libraries were addressed.
> Impending budget cuts, pandemic guidelines, ignorance, and apathy are all
> working against us.  It’s easy to feel like we are drowning.
>
> Now, more than ever, advocacy matters. It is important to be proactive
> rather than reactive in a time like this. The AISLE Board will advocate for
> school librarians in Illinois at the state level, but each school librarian
> must also advocate locally for their position and the significance of their
> program. Well-worded official statements from the Board might make a
> ripple. What we need is a tsunami. Competing voices, the economic impact of
> the pandemic, and multiple other factors make it much more difficult for
> our message to reach necessary ears. But your voices-- joined with the
> voices of your colleagues, your students, your parents, and your
> communities and anyone else you can get on board-- can have an impact. Each
> and every one of us needs to marshal all of the resources at our disposal
> and advocate for ourselves and ask others to join us. And, we need to do
> this not just once- but constantly.
>
> What does this look like?
>
>    -
>
>    Go to your Board meeting and log in and speak during "public comment."
>    Speak about what you do in your libraries--be ready with a presentation:
>    circulation stats, testimonials, a book talk or two...engage them and
>    remind them of your importance in the school.
>    -
>
>    Make an appointment with your Teachers' Association President and
>    Superintendent--speak specifically to your contributions to the District.
>    -
>
>    Ask for video testimonials from students who are alums or from current
>    students.
>    -
>
>    Find four or five teachers and ask them to do video testimonials
>    -
>
>    Send stories about library programs and activities to your local paper
>
> Those are just a few ideas to get you started. AISLE is committed to
> advocating for school library programs and staff. Attached, please find an
> open letter to ISBE regarding their current guidelines. We will soon
> release a letter template that you can personalize and send to your
> administration. We will be announcing continuing advocacy efforts and
> professional development opportunities to build your skills as a self-
> advocate as the year progresses.  As these future advocacy programs are
> announced at local, state, and national levels, we need your participation.
>
> Please, find your voice. Actively look for opportunities to enlist others
> to support your library program.  Spread the message far and wide that what
> we do makes a difference in students’ lives. It’s time to make waves.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> The AISLE Board of Directors
>
> *Christy Semande*
> *President 2020-2021*
>
>
>
>
> MAILMAN_MIMEDEFANG
> _______________________________________________
> AISLE mailing list
> AISLE at list.railslibraries.info
>
> For list archives and subscription options, visit:
> http://list.railslibraries.info/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/aisle
>
> To unsubscribe, send a message to:
> aisle-leave at list.railslibraries.info
>
> https://www.aisled.org/

-- 
*Jennifer Walsh*

*jywalsh at barrington220.org <jywalsh at barrington220.org>*
Teacher Librarian
Barrington High School
616 W. Main Street
Barrington, IL 60010
847-842-3463

Currently Reading
<https://www.goodreads.com/user/email_signature_destination/2181057?utm_medium=reading_link&utm_source=email_signature>
[image: Book Cover]
<https://www.goodreads.com/user/email_signature_destination/2181057?utm_medium=cover&utm_source=email_signature>
[image: Goodreads Logo]
<https://www.goodreads.com/?utm_medium=gr_logo&utm_source=email_signature>Get
your own email signature
<https://www.goodreads.com/user/email_signature_instructions?utm_medium=gyo_link&utm_source=email_signature>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://list.railslibraries.info/pipermail/aisle/attachments/20200703/cdb018a7/attachment.html>