School Library Systems – Advocacy Toolkit

Strategies for Students

Four BIG IDEAS about student advocacy:

Students are at the heart of the learning community and their advocacy has authentic value!
Schools, school libraries, learning resources exist for learner.
Success for learners correlates with information problem solving, access to quality information resources, access to databases and electronic research tools, and literacy.
The New York State learning standards define the competent graduate as one who can solve problems with information tools, one who can access, evaluate, synthesize, and communicate information.

Students can ADVOCATE for continued funding for School Library Systems, the New Centuries Libraries, the New York Online Virtual Electronic Library, access to quality information resources, equity, meaningful and challenging academic pursuits connecting to the real world through the library and library system door!

WHO

Students who smile when their special SLS books come in!
Students who succeeded with a project because of an interlibrary loan supported by SCHOOL LIBRARY SYSTEMS.
Students who made up their own mind about an issue because of access to databases supplied with the help of SCHOOL LIBRARY SYSTEMS.
Students who require information tools not available at their own school library but within the reach of SCHOOL LIBRARY SYSTEMS.
Students who marvel when their faxed periodical article arrives from a regional library, closing a gap in their research.
Students who seek challenging or unique resources to solve meaningful problems.
Students who pursue interests, favorite authors, supporting data, insights, understandings beyond their own school library’s four walls.
Students who know they can find the answers to their questions.
Students who see the CONNECTION between their needs, their success, their ideas and SCHOOL LIBRARY SYSTEMS.

WHAT

Students can be the best advocates of all.
With the help of their School Library Media Specialist, students can describe and document the way in which SCHOOL LIBRARY SYSTEMS provided services and helped them succeed. Their testimony can be easily sent to System Directors via courier and then shared with legislative decision makers.
Use a special STUDENT TESTIMONY FORM provided in this toolkit. Print a copy and write about a specific way in School Library Systems assisted in a special way. The school librarian can send this to the SLS with the courier.
Each specific piece of testimony has value to a legislator who is unsure about funding SLS. Thousands of these personal messages from all over New York equal a POT OF ADVOCACY GOLD!
Legislators listen to kids!
Student advocates have saved libraries and funding for resources before!
Students have the skills and tools to express their opinion about opportunities they need.
Students can understand the role of public opinion in the funding of schools, school library resources, and School Library Systems.
Students can compare the resources in just one school library with the resources in all the school, public and academic libraries. Teachers and librarians can explain how important ACCESS to the world of information is for learners in New York.
Students can E-mail legislators, the governor, and public officials to persuade them to VOTE for funding for information tools. They can even make phone calls.
Students can create illustrations and samples of research projects, literacy experiences, and problems solved because of School Library Systems services.
School library media specialists can make students aware of the Systems CONNECTIONS that provided resources to students at the point of need.

WHEN

Anytime!
Whenever a School Library System service CONNECTS a student to useful, quality resources.
Whenever students request and receive interlibrary loan materials.
When students access useful, quality information resources from databases supplied with help from School Library Systems.
Whenever teachers and school library media specialists collaborate in resource based learning activities encourage students to explore, reach beyond the single library’s walls.
In the late winter and early spring when the NYS budget in the planning process.
When a legislator, business leader or policy maker makes a community visit.
When parents share in student success.


	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!		Strategies for Students Four BIG IDEAS about student advocacy: Students are at the heart of the learning community and their advocacy has authentic value! Schools, school libraries, learning resources exist for learner. Success for learners correlates with information problem solving, access to quality information resources, access to databases and electronic research tools, and literacy. The New York State learning standards define the competent graduate as one who can solve problems with information tools, one who can access, evaluate, synthesize, and communicate information. Students can ADVOCATE for continued funding for School Library Systems, the New Centuries Libraries, the New York Online Virtual Electronic Library, access to quality information resources, equity, meaningful and challenging academic pursuits connecting to the real world through the library and library system door! WHO Students who smile when their special SLS books come in! Students who succeeded with a project because of an interlibrary loan supported by SCHOOL LIBRARY SYSTEMS. Students who made up their own mind about an issue because of access to databases supplied with the help of SCHOOL LIBRARY SYSTEMS. Students who require information tools not available at their own school library but within the reach of SCHOOL LIBRARY SYSTEMS. Students who marvel when their faxed periodical article arrives from a regional library, closing a gap in their research. Students who seek challenging or unique resources to solve meaningful problems. Students who pursue interests, favorite authors, supporting data, insights, understandings beyond their own school library’s four walls. Students who know they can find the answers to their questions. Students who see the CONNECTION between their needs, their success, their ideas and SCHOOL LIBRARY SYSTEMS. WHAT Students can be the best advocates of all. With the help of their School Library Media Specialist, students can describe and document the way in which SCHOOL LIBRARY SYSTEMS provided services and helped them succeed. Their testimony can be easily sent to System Directors via courier and then shared with legislative decision makers. Use a special STUDENT TESTIMONY FORM provided in this toolkit. Print a copy and write about a specific way in School Library Systems assisted in a special way. The school librarian can send this to the SLS with the courier. Each specific piece of testimony has value to a legislator who is unsure about funding SLS. Thousands of these personal messages from all over New York equal a POT OF ADVOCACY GOLD! Legislators listen to kids! Student advocates have saved libraries and funding for resources before! Students have the skills and tools to express their opinion about opportunities they need. Students can understand the role of public opinion in the funding of schools, school library resources, and School Library Systems. Students can compare the resources in just one school library with the resources in all the school, public and academic libraries. Teachers and librarians can explain how important ACCESS to the world of information is for learners in New York. Students can E-mail legislators, the governor, and public officials to persuade them to VOTE for funding for information tools. They can even make phone calls. Students can create illustrations and samples of research projects, literacy experiences, and problems solved because of School Library Systems services. School library media specialists can make students aware of the Systems CONNECTIONS that provided resources to students at the point of need. WHEN Anytime! Whenever a School Library System service CONNECTS a student to useful, quality resources. Whenever students request and receive interlibrary loan materials. When students access useful, quality information resources from databases supplied with help from School Library Systems. Whenever teachers and school library media specialists collaborate in resource based learning activities encourage students to explore, reach beyond the single library’s walls. In the late winter and early spring when the NYS budget in the planning process. When a legislator, business leader or policy maker makes a community visit. When parents share in student success.

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School Library Systems - Advocacy Toolkit

Strategies for Students

Four BIG IDEAS about student advocacy: