FrontLine Advocacy the School Library Connie Williams National

Front*Line Advocacy & the School Library Connie Williams National Board Certified Teacher Librarian Petaluma High School CSLA Past President chwms@mac. com

Who is ‘front line’ in the school library? • All school library personnel are front line.

Here’s what we know… • Legislative advocacy needs to come from others • No one hates libraries • We can provide service & information

To whom do we advocate? • • Parents / community education foundations Site administrators / site council / teachers Site Council Legislators Community members / school Board members Accreditation agencies Feeder schools (above and below)

Comfort level of advocating? “Who am I to talk to these people? ” “I’m just a clerk” “I’m the only library person in my school – no one wants to listen to me” “I don’t want to offend someone”

First stop: learn how to…BRAG! • One book one conference: – Brag!: The art of tooting your own horn without blowing it by Peggy Klaus

Second step: CSLA campaign for strong school libraries “BEST SELLERS” http: //bestsellers 4 schoollibraries. csla. net

How does it work? • Talk to people you see every day: tell them something interesting about your job. • Ask if they’d like to become a “Best Seller” • Register them with CSLA and provide them with info

“March in March to Sacramento” • • Legislative days Connect legislators with strong school libraries Create new BEST SELLERS Provides a local contact

Third step: What is Action Advocacy? “Show don’t tell” – Take the CSLA SLL 2. 0 tutorial then lead your colleagues in CL 2. 0 – Create and lead an instructional lesson &/or program with students and faculty: name it & grow it.

3 key messages Students deserve equitable access to libraries. School Library Standards provide blueprints for strong school libraries. Strong school libraries build strong students and lifelong learners. A strong school library = a teacher librarian and a full time clerk supported by substantial and consistent funding.

Best Sellers • Tutorial: http: //bestsellers 4 schoollibraries. csla. net