Susan C. Thorniley Degrees and
Certifications: George Washington University, Masters
Certificate Project Management, 2001; University of Delaware, MI Master
of Instruction/concentration Library Science, 1993; Shepherd University,
BA/ED English and Library Science, 1970. Current
Position: Coordinator, Library Information Services, Fairfax
County Public Schools, 1999-present. Previous Positions:
Librarian, Appoquinimink Public Schools, Middletown, DE,
1988-98; High School Language Arts, Washington Co. Maryland Public
Schools, 1986-88; Librarian and English Teacher, Berkeley County Public
Schools, Martinsburg, WV, 1969-86; . ALA Activities:
AASL: Membership, 1990-Present; ALA: Membership, 1990-Present;
ALA: Annual Conference, 2007; AASL: Supervisors Group, 2007; YALSA:
2007; AASL: Annual Conference, 2007; AASL: Fall Forum, 2006; AASL:
Annual Conference, 2005; ALA: Annual Conference, 2004; ALA: Annual
Conference, 2002; AASL Regional Meeting: Regional Committee, 1995; AASL:
Annual Conference, 1993. Offices Held in State &
Regional Library and Other Associations: FCPL Foundation:
Secretary, 2007-Present; VEMA (VA Educational Media Assoc): Member,
1998-Present; FCPL Foundation: Chair, Public Relations Committee,
2006-07; VLA (VA Library Assoc.): Legislative Committee, 2005-07; VEMA :
Annual Conference, 1998-2007; VLA: Annual Conference, 2003-06; FCPL
Foundation: Library Board Representative, 2004-04; Fairfax Co. Public
Library Board of Trustees: Chair, 2002-04; Fairfax Co. Public Library
Board of Trustees: Vice Chair, 2000-02; DLA (DE Library Assoc.):
Legislative Action Committee, 1993-98; DSLMA: Member, Board of
Directors, 1993-97; DSLMA/DE School Library Media Association:
President, 1995-96; DLA: Executive Board, 1994-95; DSLMA:
Vice-President/President Elect, 1994-95; VLA : Presenter, Annual
Conference, 2006. Honors, Awards, Prizes, Medals,
Citations: Recognition-FCPL Bd. of Trustees for service as
chair, 2004; Recognition - FCPL Foundation for major role in Capital
Book Festival, 2004; Recognition-Delaware Today magazine as one of the
top 49 people in the state in 1996. This was a result of the Community
Library Project at Middletown High School, 1996; Recognition-DSEA Action
News for lead participation in the development, planning and execution
of Community Library at Middletown High School, 1995; Delaware School
Library Media Specialist of the Year, 1994.
Accomplishments: One of my greatest professional
accomplishments was the successful development, planning and execution
of the first community library in a new Delaware high school. This
project required working closely with district, county and state
representatives to combine the public and high school library into one
location. Upon successful completion, both the school district and I
received statewide recognition. Currently, as library supervisor in a
large, well-known school system, in addition to guiding my staff, I am
often asked to participate on advisory boards, speak to publishers, and
present at conferences. This allows me to have a direct impact on
important library issues, software programs, databases, and publishing.
I am the School Board's representative on the Public Library Board of
Trustees. Together we continue to develop cooperative programs between
schools and public libraries which provide a tremendous opportunity to
share resources, ideas and technology that directly impacts students. My
position on the Library Board permits me to serve on legislative
committees, the Library Foundation and be the liaison among the
university, school system and public library. STATEMENT:
In this time of decreasing budgets and lack of certified
library media specialists in many schools, support must be provided by
AASL through strong advocacy and other programs. Leadership at the
national level must promote opportunities for professional growth of
library media specialists who feel so overloaded in their schools that
they are unable/unwilling to seek leadership roles when leaders are
needed. Several issues are of concern as we move with lightning speed
through the continued technological revolution of the 21st Century:
rapid change in information modalities; change in the expectations of
the role of the LMS from “book-dispenser” to curriculum leader;
increased pressure to gather data that assesses the contributions of the
LMC program in schools. As a supervisor, it is my responsibility to work
with, guide, LEAD school library media specialists along this
"rocky" road to successful careers that will ultimately result
in students becoming informed, productive adults.
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