AASL Advocacy Toolkit
www.ala.org/aasl/advocacy
AASL has compiled a collection of ready-to-use tools to conduct an advocacy campaign for school library media programs. School library media specialists are encouraged to build on the publicity being generated by First Lady Laura Bush's White House meeting of principals, superintendents, and other school administrators about the value of school libraries by launching or renewing advocacy efforts on behalf of school librarie media programs.
@ your library® School Library Campaign
www.ala.org/@yourlibrary
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 library media specialists through school library media programs to further the academic achievement and lifelong learning of students; strengthen a belief in the value of school library media programs and school library media specialists; and position school librarianship as a desirable career opportunity. Includes the @ your library® Toolkit for School Library Media Programs with messages, ideas and strategies for promoting the value of school library media programs and library media specialists in the 21st century.
School Library Media Month
www.ala.org/aasl/slmmonth.html
Many school library media programs celebrate the month of April as School Library Media Month in conjunction with, and sharing the same theme as, National Library Week. Included are links to materials from the ALA Public Information Office and sample School Library Media Month proclamations to download and modify to fit your needs.
Other Library Promotional Events:
Wasman, Ann, ed. Ideas for Promoting Your School Library Media Program. Chicago: American Association of School Librarians, 1996. ISBN 0-8389-7846-0
An expansion of AASL's original On Target, this publication takes program promotion a step further by going beyond School Library Media Month and offering year-round advice and suggestions on all aspects of promotion. This publication assists school librarians in promoting one of the best kept secrets -- school library media programs. It asnwers questions on how to get started and presents ideas for various school library media activities and programs, from cooperative efforts to electronically-inspired activities. Information about other sources and materials helpful in promotional efforts is included. Out of print.
A Communications Handbook for Libraries (PDF File)
www.ala.org/ala/pio/availablepiomat/online_comm_handbook.pdf
ALA's free, online handbook is designed to help librarians and others develop and maintain effective relations with the media and win support for libraries and their programs, all with minimal use of precious resources. It will help libraries preserve and promote their programs--while dealing with the challenges of the USA PATRIOT Act and seemingly endless budget cuts.
Flowers, Helen F. Public Relations for School Library Media Programs: 500 Ways to Influence People and Win Friends for Your School Library Media Center. New York: Neal-Schuman, 1998. ISBN 1-55570-320-8
Hartzell, Gary N. Building Influence for the School Librarian. Worthington, Ohio: Linworth Publishing, 1994. ISBN 0-938865-32-3
Suggests methods for influencing students, teachers and the community.
McElmeel, Sharron L. Tips: Ideas for Secondary School Librarians & Technology Specialists. 2nd ed. Worthington, Ohio: Linworth Publishing, 2000. ISBN 0-938865-93-5
A compilation of ideas and suggestions from The Book Report arranged in nine categories including public relations.
Public Education Network and American Association of School Librarians. The Information-Powered School. Edited by Sandra Hughes-Hassell and Anne Wheelock. Chicago: American Library Association, 2001. ISBN 0-8389-3514-1
Contains more than 40 templates and model forms, all tested in actual Library Power sites. Outlines a specific plan for school library media specialists and teachers to share the responsibilities of planning, teaching, and assessing student learning and offering a truly coherent curriculum. Includes tips from experienced practitioners on gathering the support of teachers and principals, on managing new roles and responsibilities, and on leading the charge to integrate information literacy and technology into curricula. See chapter 10, "Community Engagement for Information Power." Available from the ALA Online Store at http://www.alastore.ala.org/aasl or call 866-SHOP ALA (866-746-7252).
School Libraries Work! Danbury, Conn.: Scholastic Library Publishing, 2008.
This research foundation paper brings together position statements from a variety of organizations and findings from nearly a decade of empirical studies that cite the measurable impact of school libraries and library media specialists on learning outcomes. The report shows that school libraries administered by certified library media specialists are a powerful force in the lives of America’s children.
Valenza, Joyce Kasman. Power Tools Recharged: 125+ Essential Forms and Presentations for Your School Library Media Program. Chicago: American Library Association, 2004. ISBN 0-8389-0880-2
A completely revised hands-on guide to address school library media specialists' most pressing issues. A collection of must-have, customizable tools to help you:
- administer everyday details and develop policies;
- assess to measure impact and evaluate success;
- teach information literacy using simple assignments;
- support students with hands-on, project-based tools; and
- make powerful presentations to administrators, teachers, students, parents and community leaders.
Available from the ALA Online Store at http://www.alastore.ala.org or call 866-SHOP ALA (866-746-7252).
Wallace, Linda K. Libraries, Mission, & Marketing: Writing Mission Statements That Work. Chicago: American Library Association, 2003. ISBN 0-8389-0867-5
Does your school library media center have a mission statement? Do you know what it is, when to use it, where it should be posted, and how you should act on it? This book explains why libraries need mission statements and offers strategies for writing and implementing an effective statement. The book compiles 105 varied samples of on-target library mission statements organized by type of library (including school library media center). You'll learn how mission statements can focus library marketing, and ways to bring the statement to life in planning, communicating, and day-to-day functions. Available from the ALA Online Store at http://www.alastore.ala.org or call 866-SHOP ALA (866-746-7252).
Wasman, Ann M. New Steps to Service: Common-Sense Advice for the School Library Media Specialist. Chicago: American Library Association, 1998. ISBN 0-8389-3483-8
Recent library media school graduates, nonlibrarians, and others unfamiliar with the process may find setting up and running a school library media center a daunting task. New Steps to Service is a user-friendly, practical guide for creating and maintaining a school library media center that works for students and you. Available from the ALA Online Store at http://www.alastore.ala.org or call 866-SHOP ALA (866-746-7252).
The Book Report 19, no. 1 (May/June 2000).
This issue, with the theme "Library Promotion in the Secondary School," contains a number of interesting and useful articles on the topic.
