Strategies and ideas from AASL Affiliates Assembly participants. 
January 2009 in Denver Colorado

Ideas for leading your state

  • Newsletter articles.
  • Member blasts from president.
  • Work with own district- unified approach.
  • Packets @ library meetings.
  • Blast(s) to all pertinent listservs.
  • Write articles for the state newsletter.
  • Add link on the Website to AASL resources.
  • Empower yourself: advocate for learning.
  • “Connecting to Leaders” attendees return to systems and commit to share info.
  • Share information in new member orientation
  • Create state leg day.
  • Work with school library systems- statewide approach,
  • Share notes/minutes with other librarians.
  • Keep statements short & punchy
  • Back home communicate through state list serves.
  • Share Stephanie’s program.
  • Create a simple bookmark listing talking points.
  • Attend meetings to inform others about toolkits.

Suggestions for building support:

  • Ask legislators how many school libraries in their state are being run by a certified- answer the question and talk about student skills.
  • Position yourselves as necessary & vital to the district. Example: We took on the implementation of technology goals and objective. (ie. curriculum) Consequently, the district sees us a doing two vitally important roles.
  • Use online Web 2.0 tools (nings, wikis, webinars, ect.) to teach LMS how to advocate and build local support.
  • Collect and share students’ stories
  • Live from the library… Guest readers read over PA from the library.
    • Superintendents
    • School board members
    • Community leaders
  • Put a face on your program. Have a visible and dynamic presence on the Web and publicize widely.
  • Invite legislators to state school library board meetings.
  • Send different stakeholders to Board of Education meetings each month to make a statement about the need for and inpactof school libraries. (i.e. students, parents, principals, teachers, etc.)
  • Weave advocacy themes and resources into library education classes.
  • Collect evidence at the local level.
  • @ your school, your district, etc.
  • Leadership Day speakers: Senator, library systems, stated school board, state library, state university.
  • Invite legislators to statewide meet ‘n greets sponsored by CASL.
  • Show up – not just librarians when there are money meetings that impact libraries. Be informed.
  • Interview candidates for state superintendents; publish in our news and send as press release.
  • Share what you and aides do.
  • Ohio’s EBP Module for prevention