Concern: The Directors and Regional Representatives of AASL need to be in direct communication with the members of their regions. The job descriptions of both positions require access to members and state listservs. Some states have information disbursed through their state AASL organization; some receive it through their state ALA chapter. This disconnect makes communication difficult.
Action Requested: Contact all state affiliates and ALA in order to Provide Directors and Regional Representatives with complimentary memberships both in the various AASL state organizations and in the ALA chapters within their region for the duration of their position.
Status: Both the Affiliate Assembly Coordinating Team and the Affiliate Assembly body approved this concern. It was sent to the AASL Board.
Showing posts with label 2014. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2014. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
2014 Concern- ALA Connect
Concern: We, in AASL, require a more straightforward method of communication with both fellow members and other divisions within ALA. At present, there is no effective means to search the ALA directory and locate AASL/ALA members in your area, state, or region. This is duplicated in trying to locate members of other ALA divisions. The ALA membership directory needs to be able to be sorted by division, state, and region; we need access to be able to find who is in our immediate area, not only within AASL, but also within ACRL, PLA, etc. We need an effective means of communication among members.
Action Requested: Provide a members only searchable directory. The ALA membership directory needs to be able to be sorted by division, state, and region. Members need to be informed as to how to reach out to cohorts in their own state, region or nationally.
Status: Both the Affiliate Assembly Coordinating Team and the Affiliate Assembly body approved this concern. It was sent to the AASL Board.
Action Requested: Provide a members only searchable directory. The ALA membership directory needs to be able to be sorted by division, state, and region. Members need to be informed as to how to reach out to cohorts in their own state, region or nationally.
Status: Both the Affiliate Assembly Coordinating Team and the Affiliate Assembly body approved this concern. It was sent to the AASL Board.
2014 Concern- Virtual Meetings
Concern: Affiliate attendance at Annual and Midwinter meetings from the western states is often sparse so it is difficult for regions to communicate as a whole. Given the technology available we think it should be possible to have virtual attendance at Affiliate Assembly meetings, at least during the times when regions have their time to meet together.
Action Requested: Provide a virtual forum such as Blackboard or other group virtual meeting space to be used during Affiliate Assembly and other meeting times. Adjust the Affiliate handbook to suggest all Affiliate Assembly members be prepared to meet during Annual and Midwinter meetings either in person or virtually.
Status: Both the Affiliate Assembly Coordinating Team and the Affiliate Assembly body approved this concern. It was sent to the AASL Board.
Action Requested: Provide a virtual forum such as Blackboard or other group virtual meeting space to be used during Affiliate Assembly and other meeting times. Adjust the Affiliate handbook to suggest all Affiliate Assembly members be prepared to meet during Annual and Midwinter meetings either in person or virtually.
Status: Both the Affiliate Assembly Coordinating Team and the Affiliate Assembly body approved this concern. It was sent to the AASL Board.
2014 Concern- Performance Evaluation
Concerns: With the advent of the Race to the Top Grants and waivers from NCLB, states have been mandated to have teacher evaluations tied to student progress. Librarians in many school districts are being evaluated on either a teacher rubric or “other personnel” rubric. Many states have mandated that a certain percentage (40-50%) of librarians’ evaluations to be based on student academic progress or district determined measures (DDMs). Demonstrating this progress has been confusing to many librarians across the country
Action Requested: Update the Performance Evaluation of the School Librarians on the Essential Links page to include links to state affiliates’ evaluation rubrics, exemplars, position statements, and other resources used to demonstrate student academic progress.
Status: Both the Affiliate Assembly Coordinating Team and the Affiliate Assembly body approved this concern. It was sent to the AASL Board.
Action Requested: Update the Performance Evaluation of the School Librarians on the Essential Links page to include links to state affiliates’ evaluation rubrics, exemplars, position statements, and other resources used to demonstrate student academic progress.
Status: Both the Affiliate Assembly Coordinating Team and the Affiliate Assembly body approved this concern. It was sent to the AASL Board.
2014 Concern- Promoting Affiliates
Concern: TASL is concerned that, although much time is spent discussing how ALA/AASL can assist affiliates and vice-versa, it seems very little tangible action is taken to strengthen those bonds.
Action Requested: Request AASL create a link on AASL home page to an alphabetized list of state affiliates displaying links to the affiliates’ membership page. Through the affiliation process, state affiliates would agree to display a link to "Membership in AASL" page. AASL will generate a list of expectations for state affiliates to promote involvement in AASL including the limited use of AASL logos on affiliates' websites.
Status: Both the Affiliate Assembly Coordinating Team and the Affiliate Assembly body approved this concern. It was sent to the AASL Board.
Action Requested: Request AASL create a link on AASL home page to an alphabetized list of state affiliates displaying links to the affiliates’ membership page. Through the affiliation process, state affiliates would agree to display a link to "Membership in AASL" page. AASL will generate a list of expectations for state affiliates to promote involvement in AASL including the limited use of AASL logos on affiliates' websites.
Status: Both the Affiliate Assembly Coordinating Team and the Affiliate Assembly body approved this concern. It was sent to the AASL Board.
2014 Concern- Public Libraries
Concern: In recent weeks, the topic of public libraries managing school libraries has been discussed in various online social media sites. This evolving practice seems to be increasing in its
occurrence with Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey being states where this is happening.
When looking at the goals of AASL, it does not seem that public libraries would be able to focus on helping students and schools meet their educational needs. Whereas school libraries staffed by certified school librarians who have been trained in educational theory and practice are able to work cooperatively with students and staff to meet achievement goals.
School library positions across the nation are continually being cut and many school libraries are being closed. This step that some states and cities seem to be taking is another piece toward eroding the importance of school libraries that are staffed with qualified/certified school librarians.
Action Requested: Would like AASL to develop a position paper affirming the importance school and public libraries play in the lives of children. Yet, within the positive relationships these 2 types of libraries have, there are inherent aspects of their jobs that are different. Therefore, we would like the following points to be included:
• State the unique differences between school and public library programs
• Indicate the differences between the mission of school and public library programs
• List the differing requirement for preparation to become school or public librarian
• Compliment the respective programs for their positive influence on students and their developing reading skills
• Emphasize the positive influence school librarians and their programs have on student achievement
• Discuss the discrepancy patrons have in their ease of access to resources and services between the two types of libraries
• Emphasize the higher level of support school librarians give in regard to educational and curricular standards
• Discuss the differing levels of knowledge school and public librarians have concerning the specific needs and services their patrons require
• Reach out to PLA, YALSA, ALSC, ACRL and other groups for support
• Disseminate the information to administrative groups and other stakeholders
Status: Both the Affiliate Assembly Coordinating Team and the Affiliate Assembly body approved this concern. It was sent to the AASL Board.
occurrence with Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey being states where this is happening.
When looking at the goals of AASL, it does not seem that public libraries would be able to focus on helping students and schools meet their educational needs. Whereas school libraries staffed by certified school librarians who have been trained in educational theory and practice are able to work cooperatively with students and staff to meet achievement goals.
School library positions across the nation are continually being cut and many school libraries are being closed. This step that some states and cities seem to be taking is another piece toward eroding the importance of school libraries that are staffed with qualified/certified school librarians.
Action Requested: Would like AASL to develop a position paper affirming the importance school and public libraries play in the lives of children. Yet, within the positive relationships these 2 types of libraries have, there are inherent aspects of their jobs that are different. Therefore, we would like the following points to be included:
• State the unique differences between school and public library programs
• Indicate the differences between the mission of school and public library programs
• List the differing requirement for preparation to become school or public librarian
• Compliment the respective programs for their positive influence on students and their developing reading skills
• Emphasize the positive influence school librarians and their programs have on student achievement
• Discuss the discrepancy patrons have in their ease of access to resources and services between the two types of libraries
• Emphasize the higher level of support school librarians give in regard to educational and curricular standards
• Discuss the differing levels of knowledge school and public librarians have concerning the specific needs and services their patrons require
• Reach out to PLA, YALSA, ALSC, ACRL and other groups for support
• Disseminate the information to administrative groups and other stakeholders
Status: Both the Affiliate Assembly Coordinating Team and the Affiliate Assembly body approved this concern. It was sent to the AASL Board.
2014 Concern- Statement of Concern Database
Concern: The results of many concerns addressed by Affiliate Assembly and supported by board action have not been communicated adequately or publicly to membership.
Action Requested: Within the Statement of Concern database, communicate the action, status or result of each concern in the timely manner.
Status: Both the Affiliate Assembly Coordinating Team and the Affiliate Assembly body approved this concern. It was sent to the AASL Board.
Action Requested: Within the Statement of Concern database, communicate the action, status or result of each concern in the timely manner.
Status: Both the Affiliate Assembly Coordinating Team and the Affiliate Assembly body approved this concern. It was sent to the AASL Board.
2014 Concern- Qualified Candidates
Concern: We are concerned that school library positions are going unfilled without dynamic, qualified, certified candidates for the available positions.
Action Requested: We would like AASL to develop a media recruitment campaign to identify and encourage appropriate candidates. This should include skills, interest inventory and highlight some exemplary practioners. We would like a space for this on Essential Links or a web page.
Status: Both the Affiliate Assembly Coordinating Team and the Affiliate Assembly body approved this concern. It was sent to the AASL Board.
Action Requested: We would like AASL to develop a media recruitment campaign to identify and encourage appropriate candidates. This should include skills, interest inventory and highlight some exemplary practioners. We would like a space for this on Essential Links or a web page.
Status: Both the Affiliate Assembly Coordinating Team and the Affiliate Assembly body approved this concern. It was sent to the AASL Board.
2014 Concern- Advocacy Portal
Concern: The message of the value of school library programs staffed by certified school librarians is not reaching all stakeholders therefore positions and programs are being eliminated.
Action Requested: Create an advocacy portal
• Update content of advocacy toolkits
• Rebrand health and wellness toolkit to advocacy
• Add an advocacy link on the AASL homepage
• Use delivery methods including social media, infographics, and branding that reach stakeholders
• Ensure content is mobile device friendly
• Create videos of various lengths (i.e. 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minute, 5 minutes) showcasing exemplary practices and disseminate to local and national media outlets and permit local personalization
• Create advocacy toolkit for affiliates
Status: Both the Affiliate Assembly Coordinating Team and the Affiliate Assembly body approved this concern. It was sent to the AASL Board.
Action Requested: Create an advocacy portal
• Update content of advocacy toolkits
• Rebrand health and wellness toolkit to advocacy
• Add an advocacy link on the AASL homepage
• Use delivery methods including social media, infographics, and branding that reach stakeholders
• Ensure content is mobile device friendly
• Create videos of various lengths (i.e. 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minute, 5 minutes) showcasing exemplary practices and disseminate to local and national media outlets and permit local personalization
• Create advocacy toolkit for affiliates
Status: Both the Affiliate Assembly Coordinating Team and the Affiliate Assembly body approved this concern. It was sent to the AASL Board.
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