AASL Advocacy Toolkit

Because Student Achievement IS the Bottom Line

bullet pointAASL Instructional Classification Toolkit

The American Library Association supports restructuring the NCES classification structure to accurately reflect the school library media specialist's primary role of instructor, as outlined in the ALA Resolution on the Instructional Classification of School Librarians. Contact your state coordinator and encourage him or her to recommend reclassifying library media specialists from "support services -- instruction" to "instruction" in order to accurately reflect the important work we do.  Contact information is available at the NCES Web site.

bullet point@ your library® School Library Campaign

Developed in collaboration with AASL, the school library component of the American Library Association's @ your library® campaign seeks to increase public awareness of the significant contributions made by school librarians through school library programs to further the academic achievement and lifelong learning of students; strengthen a belief in the value of school library programs and school librarians; and position school librarianship as a desirable career opportunity. Includes the @ your library® Toolkit for School Library Programs with messages, ideas and strategies for promoting the value of school library programs and librarians in the 21st century.

bullet pointEvery Student Succeeds @ your library TMppt icon

Strategic Marketing for School Libraries 

bullet point   AASL Introduction to Advocacy and Advocacy Training  ppt icon

This PowerPoint presentation provides a basic framework for launching an advocacy effort on behalf of your school library program.
bullet point Talking Points to use when advocating for your library program: 

Information from some of these talking points has been compiled as a Fact Sheet by the ALA Public Information Office. It is offered as part of a  Press Kit highlighting ALA's involvement in the White House Conference on School Libraries. AASL encourages you to make your local newsmedia aware of this press kit.

bullet pointSample Letter to the Editor: A ready-made advocacy building tool.

Edit and submit this letter to the editor of the editorial or op-ed page of your daily newspaper.

bullet pointALA Resolution: School Libraries and Librarians are Critical to Educational Success

At its June 2003 meeting the Council of the American Library Association unanimously passed a resolution in support of school libraries and librarians. The resolution was initiated by ALA Councilor Cyndi Phillip, Library Media Specialist/Instructional Media Services Department Head, Grand Haven (Michigan) Public Schools, and the Immediate Past Chair of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Affiliate Assembly.

  bullet point"Preparing for the Planning Process"  pdf icon

This excerpt from AASL's A Planning Guide for Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning can help you increase awareness of your school library program by including your principal, teachers, and other members of your education community in the planning process.

bullet pointCapitalizing on the School Library’s Potential to Positively Affect Student Achievement: A Sampling of Resources for Administrators

Dr. Gary Hartzell's White House conference presentation. Includes a bibliography of 50 years' worth of studies showing school library impact, materials on the role of the principal in quality library programs, and persuasion materials (links to PowerPoint presentations and other items).

bullet point "Tips For a Successful Meeting With Your Elected Officials"

The Teacher Leaders Network offers this list of tips (adapted from a publication of the United Advocates For Children of California) for having an effective personal meeting with elected officials.

bullet point State-level Advocacy Tools:

bullet point Other Support Materials:

bullet point   Advocacy Action Plan from AASL's Preconference "Transforming Your Program Through Advocacy" (June 2006)