School Library Systems – Advocacy Toolkit

Introduction

School Library Systems serve all learners, all educators, all libraries.

March – April 2008: Governor Paterson intends to cut another $800 million dollars from the New York State Budget after library advocates had both the Senate and Assembly resolved to restore the Spitzer $5 million dollar devastating cut to libraries. Library advocates are needed NOW to restate the rationale for restored funding. Once again we need ACTION! Contact your legislators.

Contact Governor Paterson!
http://www.ny.gov/governor/contact/index.html

Legislative CONTACTS:
http://www.crbsls.org/slsa/legislative-issues/legi-contacts.html

In January 2008 Governor Spitzer cut budget funding supplements for School Library Systems. His Executive Budget slashed $5 million dollars, which had been the response of legislators to 14 years of flat funding and a School Library Systems funding crisis.

By 2007, evidence from twenty state studies proved that a key indicator of student success was access to a school library, quality information resources, technology, and instruction in information literacy by a school library media specialist collaborating with classroom teachers.

A strong correlation exists in these studies between School Library System services and enhanced student performance in the studies, including interlibrary loan, professional development, access to online catalogs and databases. A New York Study is underway!

By 2007 several state studies had proven that school libraries BOOST student achievement even with risk conditions such as poverty and family instability.

In 2007, forward motion for LEARNERS and LIBRARIES continued with NYLA’S Legislative agenda. A last minute decision by legislators added a million dollars to library systems and increased per pupil aid for library materials by 25 cents. Your ACTION and ADVOCACY are essential to the success forward motion as the new budget cycle begins.

In 2006 the New York State Legislature voted to increase aid to libraries for the first time in over a decade with a $19.75 million dollar budget item. ADVOCACY made this happen!

By 2005 the Ohio Study had proven that school librarians and school library programs are dynamic agents of student learning, developing information literacy scaffolds to enable learners to “engage with information and build new knowledge.” The Ohio Research Study Fact Sheet

By 2005 the New York State Learning Standards defined the key competencies for graduates of New York's schools. Information problem solving, information literacy, accessing, using, evaluating, synthesizing, and communicating information are at the heart of reformed core curriculum.

But in 2005, Governor Pataki proposed yet another 5% cut to School Library System funding. The legislature restored that cut and the final state budget included that restoration. NYLA’s legislative agenda, advocacy by school librarians, advocacy by other library systems sustained the restoration.

And in 2004, Governor Pataki proposed a 5% cut to School Library System funding and vetoed a restoration of the funds passed by the legislature.

In 2003 the New York State budget nearly cut 14% from School Library Systems funding, threatening the immediate closure of some and imminent end of most.

Advocacy reversed that cut.

Future funding depends on ACTION.

Future funding insures competent graduates equipped with skills for the Information Age.

"It is not enough to care. YOU must ACT!"

School Library Systems = Connections
School Library Systems = EQUITY
School Library Systems = Shared information Resources
School Library Systems = Student Success
School Library Systems = Learning Community

On NYLA Legislative Lobby 2005, a New York State Senator made this statement to gathered librarians: “The restoration of funds for libraries is in the budget. People who speak and write and show up are remembered in the budget process. You speak and write and show up.”

All learners, all educators, all libraries.

This ADVOCACY TOOLKIT provides a platform for SLS directors, school library media specialists, students, teachers, parents, administrators, and the learning community to advocate for the continued, essential services of School Library Systems in New York.

Key ideas in the rationale for SLS funding.
Important background and links detailing the connection between information literacy and student success.
LINKS to ALA, AASL, NYLA and SLMS Advocacy sites.
Messages that can persuade leaders to continue funding.
Matrix for ACTION: WHO, WHAT, WHEN.
Strategies for system directors, school library media specialists, teachers, students, administrators, parents, and the learning community.
Model letters, sample testimony, advocacy tools.
Forms for student and teacher testimony
A Power Point presentation on SLS Advocacy
A SLS Advocacy Brochure
Advocacy ideas that take less than five minutes.
Links to legislators.
Contact information for key budget decision makers.
Legislators shared by School Library Systems.
Toolkit evaluation.

ACTION means:

Sharing with legislators, the governor, and potential community advocates YOUR insight to the value School Library Systems have to teachers and learners.
Conveying the REAL WORLD of school libraries as active learning environments, connecting students to shared, quality information resources, BIG IDEAS, meaning, and the ability to solve problems.
Informing those who decide on public funding about the powerful instructional opportunities made possible by School Library Systems. Only YOU know what they are.
Encouraging students, teachers, parents, administrators, system directors, community business leaders to affirm STUDENT SUCCESS connected to quality, shared information resources and information literacy.

ADVOCACY means:

Taking personal responsibility for the survival of School Library Systems
Choosing to identify and share the specific, real world evidence of systems supported student success.
Educating yourself and others about the connections between School Library Systems and implementation of the NYS Learning Standards.
Reviewing and sharing the evidence from seventeen state studies linking resource based learning and quality school libraries with student achievement.
Taking the time to write a letter, compose an E-mail, make a phone call, visit a legislator, and persuade a colleague, student or parent to do the same.
Conveying the personal, authentic, exciting outcomes of ACCESS to information, training, or technology made possible by School Library Systems.
Making visible the concrete and essential value of School Library System services.


	School Library Systems - Advocacy Toolkit “It is not enough to care. You must act.” “In the budget equation, remember all learners.”


ALERT - Be part of the Sunflower Avalanche! ADVOCATE NOW! Sunflower Action Plan for School Library Systems 2008 ADVOCACY - Getting the ACTION started Introduction What are the Issues? Budget Hearing on Elementary and Secondary Education Contact NY Decision Makers How can I frame my message? School Libraries Do Make a Difference to KIDS Outcomes 21st Century Skills, the Workforce and School Libraries System Director's Legislative Visits Resources Brochures & Flyers Strategies Testimony Forms & Samples Advocacy Links AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner Survey Results of School Libraries Count!		Introduction School Library Systems serve all learners, all educators, all libraries. March – April 2008: Governor Paterson intends to cut another $800 million dollars from the New York State Budget after library advocates had both the Senate and Assembly resolved to restore the Spitzer $5 million dollar devastating cut to libraries. Library advocates are needed NOW to restate the rationale for restored funding. Once again we need ACTION! Contact your legislators. Contact Governor Paterson! http://www.ny.gov/governor/contact/index.html Legislative CONTACTS: http://www.crbsls.org/slsa/legislative-issues/legi-contacts.html In January 2008 Governor Spitzer cut budget funding supplements for School Library Systems. His Executive Budget slashed $5 million dollars, which had been the response of legislators to 14 years of flat funding and a School Library Systems funding crisis. By 2007, evidence from twenty state studies proved that a key indicator of student success was access to a school library, quality information resources, technology, and instruction in information literacy by a school library media specialist collaborating with classroom teachers. A strong correlation exists in these studies between School Library System services and enhanced student performance in the studies, including interlibrary loan, professional development, access to online catalogs and databases. A New York Study is underway! By 2007 several state studies had proven that school libraries BOOST student achievement even with risk conditions such as poverty and family instability. In 2007, forward motion for LEARNERS and LIBRARIES continued with NYLA’S Legislative agenda. A last minute decision by legislators added a million dollars to library systems and increased per pupil aid for library materials by 25 cents. Your ACTION and ADVOCACY are essential to the success forward motion as the new budget cycle begins. In 2006 the New York State Legislature voted to increase aid to libraries for the first time in over a decade with a $19.75 million dollar budget item. ADVOCACY made this happen! By 2005 the Ohio Study had proven that school librarians and school library programs are dynamic agents of student learning, developing information literacy scaffolds to enable learners to “engage with information and build new knowledge.” The Ohio Research Study Fact Sheet By 2005 the New York State Learning Standards defined the key competencies for graduates of New York's schools. Information problem solving, information literacy, accessing, using, evaluating, synthesizing, and communicating information are at the heart of reformed core curriculum. But in 2005, Governor Pataki proposed yet another 5% cut to School Library System funding. The legislature restored that cut and the final state budget included that restoration. NYLA’s legislative agenda, advocacy by school librarians, advocacy by other library systems sustained the restoration. And in 2004, Governor Pataki proposed a 5% cut to School Library System funding and vetoed a restoration of the funds passed by the legislature. In 2003 the New York State budget nearly cut 14% from School Library Systems funding, threatening the immediate closure of some and imminent end of most. Advocacy reversed that cut. Future funding depends on ACTION. Future funding insures competent graduates equipped with skills for the Information Age. "It is not enough to care. YOU must ACT!" School Library Systems = Connections School Library Systems = EQUITY School Library Systems = Shared information Resources School Library Systems = Student Success School Library Systems = Learning Community On NYLA Legislative Lobby 2005, a New York State Senator made this statement to gathered librarians: “The restoration of funds for libraries is in the budget. People who speak and write and show up are remembered in the budget process. You speak and write and show up.” All learners, all educators, all libraries. This ADVOCACY TOOLKIT provides a platform for SLS directors, school library media specialists, students, teachers, parents, administrators, and the learning community to advocate for the continued, essential services of School Library Systems in New York. Key ideas in the rationale for SLS funding. Important background and links detailing the connection between information literacy and student success. LINKS to ALA, AASL, NYLA and SLMS Advocacy sites. Messages that can persuade leaders to continue funding. Matrix for ACTION: WHO, WHAT, WHEN. Strategies for system directors, school library media specialists, teachers, students, administrators, parents, and the learning community. Model letters, sample testimony, advocacy tools. Forms for student and teacher testimony A Power Point presentation on SLS Advocacy A SLS Advocacy Brochure Advocacy ideas that take less than five minutes. Links to legislators. Contact information for key budget decision makers. Legislators shared by School Library Systems. Toolkit evaluation. ACTION means: Sharing with legislators, the governor, and potential community advocates YOUR insight to the value School Library Systems have to teachers and learners. Conveying the REAL WORLD of school libraries as active learning environments, connecting students to shared, quality information resources, BIG IDEAS, meaning, and the ability to solve problems. Informing those who decide on public funding about the powerful instructional opportunities made possible by School Library Systems. Only YOU know what they are. Encouraging students, teachers, parents, administrators, system directors, community business leaders to affirm STUDENT SUCCESS connected to quality, shared information resources and information literacy. ADVOCACY means: Taking personal responsibility for the survival of School Library Systems Choosing to identify and share the specific, real world evidence of systems supported student success. Educating yourself and others about the connections between School Library Systems and implementation of the NYS Learning Standards. Reviewing and sharing the evidence from seventeen state studies linking resource based learning and quality school libraries with student achievement. Taking the time to write a letter, compose an E-mail, make a phone call, visit a legislator, and persuade a colleague, student or parent to do the same. Conveying the personal, authentic, exciting outcomes of ACCESS to information, training, or technology made possible by School Library Systems. Making visible the concrete and essential value of School Library System services.

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