Advocacy and Implementation

Concern: The need for advocacy and implementation of the new standards.

Action: This concern was withdrawn by the region.

Grants and Research Proposal Award Submission

Concern: The lack of submission of appropriate projects for grants and research proposal awards.

Action: This concern was sent back to the region for more information.

Decrease in Certified School Librarians

Concern: The decrease in the number of certified teacher librarians in schools.

Action: The Affiliate Executive Committee approved the concern, however the Affiliate body voted not to send the concer to the AASL Board.

Elimination of Library Assistants

Concern: The elimination of library assistants by schools/districts and its effect on librarians, libraries staffed by uncertified librarians, and librarians assigned to teach regular academic classes putting aside their primary focus.

Action: This concern was sent back to the region for more information.

AASL Presence at Affiliate Conferences

Concern: AASL leadership needs a stronger presence at affiliate conferences.

Action: This concern was withdrawn by the region.

AASL Collaboration with ISTE

Concern: Lack of collaboration between AASL and ISTE regarding standards, advocacy, conference planning, and other issues relating to information and literacy in education.

Action: Both the Affiliate Executive Committee and the Affiliate Assembly body passed this concern. The AASL Board feels the actions in the concern are taking place in informal ways.

AASL Presence in ALA

Concern: An examination of the ALA directory of library diversity organizations demonstrates that AASL has less of a presence within ALA on issues regarding diversity in collections, services, and members than other divisions.

Action: Both the Affiliate Executive Committee and the Affiliate Assembly body passed this concern. The AASL Board responded that the Diversity in the Organization Task Force is currently working on the concern.

Administrator Awareness

Concern: The lack of awareness amongst school administrators of issues related to presence or lack of school library media programs, specifically in relation to access and equity.

Action: This concern was sent back to the region for more information on the type of action requested.

Learning Standards

Concern: The new standards were released without accompanying support documentation.

Action: This concern was withdrawn by the region.

AASL Partnership with ASCD

Concern: AASL is not partnered with ASCD and administrators are important to the success of a strong library media program.

Action: Both the Affiliate Executive Committee and the Affiliate Assembly body passed this concern. The AASL Board responded that part of the implementation of the new standards and guidelines will address this concern.

Affiliate Assembly Roundtable

Concern: The importance of the productive discussions, questions, concerns, and issues that are raised at the Affiliate Assembly roundtable at ALA Midwinter Meetings.

Action: The Affiliate Executive Committee did not approve this concern for submission to the Affiliate Assembly body.

Role of School Librarian and Information Literacy

Concern: The need for AASL to take a position that emphasizes the change in the role of librarian and the importance of information literacy in student learning.

Action: The Affiliate Executive Committee did not approve this concern for submission to the Affiliate Assembly body.

National Board Certification

Concern: National Board Certification elevates a teacher's credentials and "status" as a professional. AASL must encourage school librarians to apply for and achieve National Board Certification.

Action: Both the Affiliate Executive Committee and the Affiliate Assembly body passed this concern. The AASL Board responded that AASL has done significant work in promoting NBPTS including a former special committee, website presence, letters yearly to new NBCTS, and recognition at conferences.

Workshops at ALA Annual Conferences

Concern: Workshops at ALA Annual Conferences must be a showcase for “best practices” that are cutting edge and forward-looking.

Action: The Affiliate Executive Committee did not approve this concern for submission to the Affiliate Assembly body.

Rapid Response Mechanism/Network

Concern: The need for a rapid response mechanism/network to rally affiliate assistance for school library media programs in jeopardy with a prescribed process of information dissemination.

Action: Both the Affiliate Executive Committee and the Affiliate Assembly body passed this concern. The AASL Board responded that the advocacy toolkits are in process and staff will work to determine the best way to reach affiliates in the event of an impending program cut.