2015 Concern- State DOE
Concern: Each state should have an advocate for school libraries in their departments of education or similar agencies, preferably a certified school librarian. Without a certified school librarian at the state level, library programs often are not included in DOE literacy, curriculum, and technology initiatives.
Action Requested: We would like AASL to assign a task force to develop a position statement identifying the need for a school library advocate at every state department of education.
Status: Both the Affiliate Assembly Coordinating Team and the Affiliate Assembly body approved this concern. It was sent to the AASL Board. Executive Committee voted to establish a Task Force to explore successful strategies used by affiliate organizations for supporting school library advocates in state departments and develop a framework for a position statement.
We seek an advocate be at the table for decisions pertaining to literacy, curriculum, and technology initiatives in order to show support for school library programs and to facilitate collaboration with educators at all levels and in all subject areas.
Additionally, we would like to ask for the creation of a toolkit of examples of successful strategies to be used by affiliate organizations supporting decision making in those state departments.
