[aisle] School Reopening Guidelines and AISLE Advocacy Efforts

[Andrea Perrin]

Once we finish the plan, I will ask the other librarians if it is ok to
share. Stay tuned!

On Sat, Jul 4, 2020, 4:54 PM Shallcross, Stephanie Lynn <sls6 at illinois.edu>
wrote:

> Our district is meeting next week to start a plan.  Our elementary
> librarians met last week and also created our own specific set of concerns,
> considerations, and recommendations for our elementary school libraries and
> forwarded that to the planning committee.  Our main concern was that we
> wanted students to have access to physical books and we wanted to be given
> a chance to come up with a plan that allows for that to safely happen.  I
> am interested to see what other plans you guys come up with for the
> library.
>
> On Jul 4, 2020, at 8:22 AM, Andrea Perrin via AISLE <
> aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:
>
> Thank you! The librarians in my district are creating our own re-opening
> plans to present to our school and district administrators. We want them to
> remember how valuable our libraries are to the communities we serve!
>
> On Fri, Jul 3, 2020, 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
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>>
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>
> MAILMAN_MIMEDEFANG
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