AASL Advocacy Toolkit
Sample Letter to the Editor
Edit and submit this letter to the editor of the editorial or op-ed page of your daily newspaper. Check to see whether the paper accepts e-mail or fax submissions and be sure to follow up once you send the letter. This sample is based on an actual letter sent to the editor of the La Crosse Tribune written by Catherine Beyers, School Library Media Specialist, Southern Bluffs Elementary, La Crosse, Wis.
Dear Editor:
June 4, 2002 was a historic day for school libraries! First Lady Laura Bush convened a conference on the importance of school libraries in children's education.
We are very fortunate in the School District of (city) because we have a full-time library media specialist in each elementary school as well as our middle and high schools. These are cost effective ways of improving student achievement--a goal we all share.
Research shows there is a direct correlation between high quality school library media programs and student achievement. In fact, the highest achieving students come from schools with good library media centers. Dollars talk here. Spending for school library programs is the single most important variable related to better student achievement.
"School libraries help teachers teach and children learn," noted Mrs. Bush, a former public school teacher and librarian. "Children and teachers need library resources--especially books--and the expertise of a librarian to succeed. Books, information technology, and school librarians who are part of the schools' professional team are basic ingredients for student achievement," Mrs. Bush said.
Parents and community members, continue to encourage your schools to provide up-to-date collections and a variety of resource formats. While Internet access is very important to connect to the wider world community, children still require books for learning. The larger the library collection, the more students read. The better the library staffing, the more students read and achieve. Good school libraries are essential for our students' success.
Sincerely,
(Name, title, daytime phone number)
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