AASL 2012 Elections

SPVS Chair-Elect

Kathryn Roots Lewis

Current Position

Director of Media Services and Instructional Technology, Norman Public Schools, Norman, Oklahoma

Previous Positions:

Library Information Specialist and Librarian Leland Wolf School K-12 Alternative Program, Norman Public Schools, Norman, Oklahoma, 1992-2001. 

Adjunct Professor, University of Oklahoma School of Library and Information Studies, Norman, Oklahoma, 1998, 2004.

Library Media Specialist, West Mid High, Norman Public Schools, Norman, Oklahoma, 1990-1992.

Special Education Teacher, Norman High School, Norman, Oklahoma, 1988-1990.

Degrees and Certificates:

University of Oklahoma, Masters of Library and Information Studies, 1991.

Central State University (Oklahoma), Bachelor of Science in Education, Special Education, 1977.

ALA and/or ALA-APA Activities:

American Association of School Librarians National School Library Media Program of the Year Award Committee member,  2009.

American Association of School Librarians ABC-CLIO Award Committee member, 2008.

American Library Association Preconference Creating Library Leaders, Oklahoma Library Association Representative, Midwinter 2002.

Offices held in the ALA-APA, state, & regional library associations, and other associations:

Co-Chair, Oklahoma Library Association (OLA) Endowment Committee, 2009-Present.

Executive Board Member, Oklahoma Technology Association (OTA), 1995-Present.

Outside Evaluator, World Literature Today Magazine, 2010-Present.

K-12 Representative, National Libraries of Medicine Oklahoma Regional Advisory Committee, 2008-Present.

Co-Chair, OLA Scholarship Committee, 2008-2009.

Chair, OLA Awards Committee, 2006-Present.

Member, Subcommittee, Accreditation Review by ALA Committee on Accreditation, University of Oklahoma MLIS Program, 2006-2007.

Member, Norman PFLAG Selection Committee Book Donation to Norman Public Schools (NPS), 2003-2004.

Past President, OLA, 2003-2004.

Chair, OLA Budget Committee, 2003-2004

President, Oklahoma Library Association (OLA), 2002-2003.

Co-Chair, OLA Leadership Institute Committee, 2002-2006.

President-elect, OLA, 2001-2002.

Chair, OLA Long Range Planning Committee, 2001-2002.

Advisory Board Member, Friends of Libraries in Oklahoma, 2001-2002.

Chair, OLA Interlibrary Cooperation Committee, 2000-2001.

Co-Chair, Program Committee OTA/ODLA Conference, 2000-2001.

Co-Chair, Technology Day, Oklahoma Professional Development Centers/NPS,1999-2001.

President, Oklahoma Technology Administrators (OTA), 1998-1999.

President-elect, OTA, 1997-1998.

President, OU Lambda Chapter, Beta Phi Mu, 1997-1998.

President-elect, OU Beta Phi Mu, 1996-1997.

Co-Organizer, Technology Awareness Workshop, Oklahoma State School Boards Association/OTA, 1999.

Co-Chair, 1996, 1998, 1999 OTA Conference.

Honors and Awards (library and non-library):

Oklahoma Library Association Library Legend Award, 2010. One award may be given each year and is for recognition based on significant contributions to the growth, development, and excellence of Oklahoma's libraries.

Oklahoma Library Association Special Project Award for the Oklahoma Library Association GOLD Leadership Retreat, 2008.

Norman Public Schools-Winner of the American Association of School Librarians National School Library Media Program of the Year-District Winner, 2007.

Oklahoma Library Association Special Project Award for the Oklahoma Library Association Centennial Endowment, 2007.

Hitachi Teacher Exchange Delegate to Japan, 2007.

Major Accomplishments:

I work with libraries and technology for 15,000 students and 27 librarians in 23 schools.  The library program permeates all aspects of school culture, literally the hub of our schools.  NPS was awarded the 2007 AASL NSLMPY District Award.

The school/public library collaboration provides 24/7 access to resources using library cards that work at both entities.  I’ve been strategically involved in this partnership since inception.

A comprehensive professional development program for librarians and staff most recently includes: district-wide $10,000,000 technology initiative coupled with training; focus on Common Core and AASL standards including strategies, assessment, and lesson makeover process shifting learning to new levels; a mentoring program; and Web 2.0 implementation including Google Apps for students and staff.

I foster participation of librarians; many hold offices and committee memberships. I have presented at AASL and state conferences. During my OLA Presidency, I was instrumental in establishing initiatives which I remain involved in:  a permanent endowment, a leadership retreat, and reading poster series.  I advocate for libraries with stakeholders and legislators across our state and nation.

Publications:

Hefner, Christine Roots and Kathryn Roots Lewis.  Literature-Based Science: Children’s Books and Activities to Enrich the K-5 Curriculum. Oryx Press, 1995.

Hefner, Christine Roots and Kathryn Roots Lewis. “The Multicultural Language Arts/English Curriculum and the Media Specialist.” Multicultural Aspects of Library Media Programs compiled by Kathy Howard Latrobe and Mildred Knight Laughlin Libraries Unlimited, 1992.

Links for further information:

The Norman Public Schools Department of Media Services and Instructional Technology web page may be found at www.norman.k12.ok.us/092.

Statement of Professional Concerns:

As librarians, we strive to develop information literate students, voracious readers, and successful citizens.  As supervisors, our challenge is to provide leadership and support for these endeavors.  As we navigate the 21st century, our section must embrace the charge to implement the AASL Standards for the 21st-Century Learner.  To use David Loertscher’s phrase, this requires a focus on “pushing the learning up.”   Paramount in this endeavor must be the goal to validate the relevancy between the Common Core Standards, the AASL Standards, and the school library: where librarians engage students, promote thinking, and use assessment.  To ensure quality education that students deserve and demand, we must be a passionate voice for fully staffed and resourced libraries in all schools.  As chair, I hope to provide opportunities and programming for supervisors to discuss, address, and learn about issues that shape our work and, more importantly, the lives of our students.

Member of ALA since:

1989