[aisle] reducing library position

Mon Apr 19 06:43:23 CDT 2021

When our District decided to eliminate the library assistant positions,
our specialists went to the board with a list of things that WOULDN'T  be
happening if this change were made. We're still here...

On Mon, Apr 19, 2021, 4:38 AM Lester, Kathy via AISLE <
aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:

> I'd like to echo the earlier comment about referring to the federal
> funding that districts are receiving to help fight cuts.
>
> Earlier this month the ALA Public Policy and Advocacy office published the
>  American Rescue Plan - State Funding Guide.
> <http://www.ala.org/advocacy/american-rescue-plan-state-guide>
> The American Rescue Plan includes a large amount of funding for K-12
> Education.  Decisions on how these dollars will be spent will be made at
> state and local levels.
> The State Funding Guide has specific information and advice for state and
> local school librarians about how to advocate for some of this funding.
> {Go to the link above and scroll down to "Resources for School Librarians"}
>
> The guide includes many helpful links, information about the bill and opportunities
> for school librarians
> <http://www.ala.org/advocacy/sites/ala.org.advocacy/files/content/advleg/tools/COVID-19%20Relief%20Funding%20for%20School%20Libraries%20--%20March29.pdf>
> , *template letters* to customize when reaching out to officials, and
> more.
>
> Also, in the list of resources in the Guide - you will  also find the
> federal document with guidance on spending the federal dollars:
> https://oese.ed.gov/files/2021/03/FINAL_ARP-ESSER-FACT-SHEET.pdf
> -This document says  "Remaining LEA funds [80%] may be used for a wide
> range of activities....  including any activity authorized by the ESEA....
> and....  "
> (on page 3) " - other activities that are necessary to maintain operation
> of and continuity of and services, including continuing to *employ
> existing or hiring new LEA and school staff."*
>
> Also, school libraries/librarians were called out as an allowable Title I
> and Title IV-A expense when ESEA was reauthorized in December 2015.  Thus,
> school libraries/librarians are an "activity authorize by ESEA" and
> districts can use utilize these federal funds for “developing effective
> school library programs to provide students an opportunity to develop
> digital literacy skills and improve academic achievement."
>
> Here is a 1-page sheet
> <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ghpDuwcNbutBwYB8jwqOwdmKVphfmASF/view?usp=sharing>
> that MAME is using with talking points about school libraries/librarians.
> It is Michigan-specific -- but may help with some of your own talking
> points.
>
> Please let me know if I can support you in any way.
> --Kathy Lester
>
> Kathy Lester, MLIS, MA
> *Advocacy Chair, Past-President 2014, *
> Michigan Association for Media in Education (MAME)
> *President-Elect, 2021-2022*
> American Association of School Librarians (AASL)
> *School Library Media Specialist / Technology Coach, *
> East Middle School, Plymouth-Canton Schools
> *SL21 Model Library, 2017-2018*
> *SL21 Exemplary Ranking - Michigan School Libraries for the 21st Century
> 2019-2022*
> *ISTE Making IT Happen Award Winner*
> *2017 MAME Michigan School Library Program of the Year*
> *2012 **State Librarian's Excellence Award Winner*
> kathyL at mimame.org
> twitter: @LibraryL <https://twitter.com/LibraryL>
> 810.333.5873
> April is Michigan School Library Month!
> Read Governor Whitmer's Proclamation
> <https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_90639-556064--,00.html>
>
>
> On Mon, Apr 19, 2021 at 2:00 AM Loretta Burke via AISLE <
> aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:
>
>> This is something everyone has to fight against.  Is there any way you
>> and your colleagues can attend the School Board meetings and advocate for
>> yourselves, using your Linking for Learning strategies (and other Library
>> studies) to support why you need to be there full time for your students?
>> Can students go to the Board meetings and speak about the impact you have
>> upon them?  How about parents?  Colleagues?  That is what the board will
>> listen to when they see and hear them speaking on your behalf.  The school
>> board makes the decisions, and that is who you should appeal to for help.
>> Administrative duties still have to be completed by someone.  Who does the
>> district think is going to do them?  Free parent volunteers or a teacher's
>> "Duty Period"?  No one else can do your job but you!  I am retired now, but
>> we used these strategies to try and save our jobs.  We kept our jobs but,
>> unfortunately, lost our assistants at the junior high level.  Good Luck!
>>
>> Loretta Burke
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sunday, April 18, 2021, 05:52:45 PM CDT, Margo Newtown via AISLE <
>> aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:
>>
>>
>> I’m referring to the linking for Learning. THAT is a great idea. Advocate
>> as much as you can. We all know the necessity and value we provide.
>>
>> Margo sent from iPhone
>>
>> On Apr 18, 2021, at 5:50 PM, Margo Newtown <mnewtown at lfschools.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>> 
>>
>> Great idea. I’m sorry, Katie.
>>
>> Margo sent from iPhone
>>
>> On Apr 18, 2021, at 5:48 PM, Lou Ann Jacobs via AISLE <
>> aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:
>>
>> 
>> I am saddened to see this happen. This is when students need library
>> media skills and opportunities to be with professional staff.
>>
>> Federal funds are to go to public school districts for COVID-19 and other
>> expenses. School Emergency Relief funds for your district equal $866,767.
>>
>> Look at the job description in the latest "Linking for Learning" that
>> should help you.
>>
>> Lou Ann Jacobs
>> AISLE Legislative Advocacy
>> legislation at aisled.org
>>
>> On Sun, Apr 18, 2021 at 5:12 PM Katie Jasper via AISLE <
>> aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:
>>
>> Hi all,
>> My district has decided to cut the LMTC position to part time because of
>> Covid expenses etc.  The position would only really have enough time in the
>> week to teach library classes.  There would not be any time left during the
>> day to work on library administrative duties.
>>
>> Does anyone have a great list or resource that describes all the tasks we
>> do as LMTC directors?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Katie Jasper
>> Medinah Intermediate School
>>
>> y.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>>
>> This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
>> intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are
>> addressed. If you have received this email in error, please notify the
>> system manager. If you are not the named recipient, you should not
>> disseminate, distribute or copy this email. Please notify the sender
>> immediately by email if you have received this email by mistake and delete
>> this email from your system. This email is the property of Medinah School
>> District 11 and contains confidential information and is intended only for
>> the individual named.
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
>> intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are
>> addressed. If you have received this email in error, please notify the
>> system manager. If you are not the named recipient, you should not
>> disseminate, distribute or copy this email. Please notify the sender
>> immediately by email if you have received this email by mistake and delete
>> this email from your system. This email is the property of Medinah School
>> District 11 and contains confidential information and is intended only for
>> the individual named.
>> 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/
>>
>> 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/
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> Any communication sent or received by District 67 and/or District 115 is
>> a public record and may be subject to inspection or copying under the
>> Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
>> 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/
>> 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/
>
> 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/
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://list.railslibraries.info/pipermail/aisle/attachments/20210419/dc0c05ba/attachment.html>