[aisle] Retiring Librarian/openings?

Tue Mar 14 11:45:27 CDT 2023

We (the Advocacy committee of AISLE) have discussed how to add this information to the ISBE report cards, to make parents and community members aware of the value of a school librarian. It’s something on AISLE’s very full plate. (Don’t forget, we need volunteers for the leadership team, everyone, if you’d like to help with some of these sorts of things!)

I don’t know that it’s a lack of qualified candidates as much as it is a lack of well-paying positions. When districts are paying paraprofessional rates for a library position instead of certified teacher rates, of course they are getting “no applicants,” as they fill out on the state forms about their job openings.  Plus, it’s not out of the question that with the restrictions other states are putting on their school librarians, people may be considering relocating to a supportive state such as ours.  AISLE has already been contacted by other state library organizations asking how to get book banning bills like the one currently in legislation in place in their home states.  

With ISBE’s recommendation of one certified school librarian for every 600 high school students and one for every 450 elementary school students, we hope to encourage districts to increase the appeal of these positions, and perhaps even some current teachers will find the value in earning a school library certification and joining our ranks.

Gail Meyer, Advocacy Chair

Association of Illinois School Library Educators

From: AISLE <aisle-bounces at list.railslibraries.info> On Behalf Of Confer, MaryAnne via AISLE
Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2023 11:25 AM
To: AISLE-Share: Association of Illinois School Library Educators discussion list <aisle at list.railslibraries.info>
Cc: Confer, MaryAnne <mopysson at cps.edu>
Subject: Re: [aisle] Retiring Librarian/openings?

It seems like a chicken and egg problem to me. If school libraries are not valued and are often cut, how do we make sure that there are enough qualified candidates? How do we convince people that this is a worthwhile career if we know that there are few jobs, especially if it is an add on endorsement or has a masters degree requirement?

What are some ways to hold districts accountable for providing school librarians? Is it possible to lobby for this to be included in state school report cards through ISBE? Other important programs are often mentioned, but not libraries / staffed school libraries. 

On Tue, Mar 14, 2023 at 11:21 AM Leah Gregory via AISLE <aisle at list.railslibraries.info <mailto:aisle at list.railslibraries.info> > wrote:

Thank you for this. I filled out the form because I know of a retiring school librarian.

The problem we see here is a dearth of applicants for certified positions. The positions exist, but there aren’t certified school librarians to fill them, especially in the smaller school districts.

Leah Gregory, M.A., M.S.

Membership Coordinator – School Library Liaison

Illinois Heartland Library System

Edwardsville Office

618.619.2069

lgregory at illinoisheartland.org <mailto:lgregory at illinoisheartland.org> 

 <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.illinoisheartland.org%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7C4557d2ca289242a0b46808d9daa09362%7Cad3877b36b3b4c2c878f78e3a8da1075%7C0%7C0%7C637781205467143974%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=QQfhl0BAWWkXTvKDBsouThm1agk%2BAyLI%2BuQg2Hf9BWQ%3D&reserved=0> www.illinoisheartland.org 

Imagining Tomorrow—Delivering Possibilities Today!

From: AISLE <aisle-bounces at list.railslibraries.info <mailto:aisle-bounces at list.railslibraries.info> > On Behalf Of Dan Bostrom via AISLE
Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2023 11:17 AM
To: AISLE-Share: Association of Illinois School Library Educators discussion list <aisle at list.railslibraries.info <mailto:aisle at list.railslibraries.info> >
Cc: Dan Bostrom <dan.bostrom at railslibraries.info <mailto:dan.bostrom at railslibraries.info> >
Subject: Re: [aisle] Retiring Librarian/openings?

Hi Gail, 

Thanks for sharing that. I just wanted to note that RAILS released a statement yesterday supporting AISLE’s efforts to encourage school districts to offer school library programs staffed by licensed school librarians.

You can read the full text here: https://railslibraries.org/news/103243 <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Frailslibraries.org%2Fnews%2F103243&data=05%7C01%7Clgregory%40illinoisheartland.org%7Cd8f5ae1a9def459cff0008db24a79f5a%7Cad3877b36b3b4c2c878f78e3a8da1075%7C1%7C0%7C638144074604993621%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=dwmlMLZdEBQp%2F5Of1kRkPKxADtpnSBL2kv4poPq%2BW8g%3D&reserved=0> 

Dan

Dan Bostrom
Member Engagement Manager
Reaching Across Illinois Library System
Burr Ridge Office
Phone: 630-734-5152
Fax: 630.734.5050
 <mailto:dan.bostrom at railslibraries.info> dan.bostrom at railslibraries.info
 <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.railslibraries.info%2F&data=05%7C01%7Clgregory%40illinoisheartland.org%7Cd8f5ae1a9def459cff0008db24a79f5a%7Cad3877b36b3b4c2c878f78e3a8da1075%7C1%7C0%7C638144074604993621%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=2DLciLSAU%2F1BN7jpbEVm7KLCmY9P9lvKLhjL45vwFsE%3D&reserved=0> https://www.railslibraries.info

From: AISLE <aisle-bounces at list.railslibraries.info <mailto:aisle-bounces at list.railslibraries.info> > On Behalf Of Advocacy AISLE via AISLE
Sent: Monday, March 13, 2023 3:05 PM
To: 'AISLE-Share: Association of Illinois School Library Educators discussion list' <aisle at list.railslibraries.info <mailto:aisle at list.railslibraries.info> >
Cc: advocacy at aisled.org <mailto:advocacy at aisled.org> 
Subject: [aisle] Retiring Librarian/openings?

Good afternoon, listserv members…

The Advocacy committee is working to ensure school districts know the importance of hiring a licensed school librarian when faced with a retirement.  If you know of a retiring school librarian, please fill out this form <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com%2Fforms%2Fd%2Fe%2F1FAIpQLSd8dtC3P7TDtN8Hl7vxGP0R0iLgdwvHdYQWiZZ3JUU_zcnp5A%2Fviewform&data=05%7C01%7Clgregory%40illinoisheartland.org%7Cd8f5ae1a9def459cff0008db24a79f5a%7Cad3877b36b3b4c2c878f78e3a8da1075%7C1%7C0%7C638144074604993621%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=DyyfR1Fn%2BI1PIRp5U6Z1ACTEfUzqSf97BVVVitCnIyU%3D&reserved=0>  to let the Advocacy committee know. The committee will send a letter to the school’s principal, superintendent, all board members, local media, and other interested parties, clearly explaining the reasons that the district should hire a certified librarian and not a classroom teacher or parent volunteer to replace their retiree. 

You don’t have to be the one retiring to fill out the form!  Let us know about your friend’s position, your neighboring district, or your children’s school.

If you know of a school librarian position that is being eliminated, you can let us know at advocacy at aisled.org <mailto:advocacy at aisled.org> . 

Retirement form, if the above link isn’t working: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd8dtC3P7TDtN8Hl7vxGP0R0iLgdwvHdYQWiZZ3JUU_zcnp5A/viewform <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com%2Fforms%2Fd%2Fe%2F1FAIpQLSd8dtC3P7TDtN8Hl7vxGP0R0iLgdwvHdYQWiZZ3JUU_zcnp5A%2Fviewform&data=05%7C01%7Clgregory%40illinoisheartland.org%7Cd8f5ae1a9def459cff0008db24a79f5a%7Cad3877b36b3b4c2c878f78e3a8da1075%7C1%7C0%7C638144074604993621%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=DyyfR1Fn%2BI1PIRp5U6Z1ACTEfUzqSf97BVVVitCnIyU%3D&reserved=0> 

Thank you!

Gail Meyer, Advocacy Chair

Association of Illinois School Library Educators

MAILMAN_MIMEDEFANG
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-- 

MaryAnne Confer (she/her/hers)

Librarian and Writing Center Director

Lindblom Math and Science Academy

6130 S. Wolcott Ave.

Chicago, IL 60636

 <https://lmsalibrary.weebly.com/> LINDBLOM ONLINE LIBRARY

Look at what I've requested for my students on Donors Choose! <https://www.donorschoose.org/project/book-fair-giveaways/7192272/?utm_source=dc&utm_medium=page&utm_campaign=project&utm_term=teacher_105951&rf=page-dc-2023-03-project-teacher_105951&challengeid=187865> 

 <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZJd2MFbAS5vASSXAN-JtTaphzKPzJVHBkwtoM3vWA9_BFVQ/viewform> Student chrome book issue form

Ms. Confer is currently reading: 

  <https://www.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780593448762&issn=/LC.JPG&client=chicagoplb&type=xw12&oclc=1353289812>    <https://www.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780063037335&issn=/LC.JPG&client=chicagoplb&type=xw12> 

Hijab Butch Blues <https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S126C2482392>  by Lamya H

Finding Me, a Memoir  <https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S126C2419811> by Viola Davis (audiobook)

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