AASL 2009 Elections
Sylvia K. Norton
Division Councilor
Degrees and Certifications
University of Maine, Doctoral Studies in Educational Leadership, 2006-Present; University of Maine, M.P.A. Public Administration, 2007; Simmons College, M.S. Library and Information Science, 1983; University of Maine, B.A. English, 1976.
Current Position
School Library/Technology Planning Coordinator, Maine Department of Education/Maine State Library, 2002-Present.
Previous Positions
School Library Technologist, Maine State Library, 2001-02; Library Media Specialist, Freeport High School, 1990-2001; Librarian, Midcoast Health Services, 1986-90; Librarian, Maine Medical Center, 1980-85; Library Assistant, Mahoney Junior High School, 1978-79.
ALA Activities
ALA: ALA Council Advocacy Committee, 2008 – 2009; ALA: Presidential Task Force on the ALA Election Process and Guidelines, 2008 – 2009; ALA: AASL Division Councilor, Council, 2006-Present; ALA: Councilor At Large, Council, 2005-06; AASL: NCLB Task Force, 2007-2008; AASL: Standards and Guidelines Review Task Force, 2006-07; AASL: Program Co-Chair, AASL 2005 National Conference, 2004-06; AASL: Co-Chair, ICONnect: Online Courses Committee, 2002-04. AASL: Division Councilor, Executive Committee, 2006-Present; AASL: Division Councilor, Board of Directors, 2006-Present; AASL: Chair, Supervisors Section (SPVS), 2005-06; AASL: At-Large, Executive Committee, 2004-05; AASL: Director, Region I, Board of Directors, 2003-05;
Offices Held Outside of ALA
Maine Association of School Libraries (MASL): Ex Officio Board Member, 2002-Present; New England Educational Media Association (NEEMA): President, 2001-02; Maine Association of School Libraries (MASL): President, 1997-99. Honors, Awards, Prizes, Medals, Citations: Hall of Fame, New England Association of School Librarians (NASL), 2007; Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society, 2007; Lifetime Member, Maine Association of School Libraries (MASL), 2007.
Accomplishments
My active participation in ALA/AASL has connected me to many opportunities including serving on the ETS National Advisory Committee for the Praxis Library Media Specialist, 2007 – 2008; collaborating on a white paper of issues of rural public school libraries as part of a national study on the future of the library workforce, 2005-2006; the Microsoft Educator Advisory Council, 2005-2007 and as an invited consultant for “Developing School Libraries in the Abu Dhabi (UAE) Educational Zone”, 2003.
Statement
Throughout my library career I have actively participated in my state, regional and national professional associations because involvement in our association develops the leaders and advocates we need to make a difference for our students. AASL is a large division within the even larger ALA, a critical voice for all types of libraries. School library media specialists are challenged in these times of financial problems and changing technology. ALA Council has heard the concerns of school libraries and my own efforts have been strengthened by the relationships I’ve built with other Councilors. We know library media specialists and effective school library programs can make a positive and sustained difference in the lives of our students and teachers. As problems, policies, and politics converge, I will continue to work with others in our association to ensure school libraries and library media specialists are not invisible to the decision makers.
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