AASL 2009 Elections
Allison M. Roberts
Director/Director-Elect Region IV
Degrees and Certifications
University of South Carolina, MLIS, 1995; University of Tenn. at Chattanooga, M. Ed., 1982; Emory and Henry College, BA, 1978.
Current Position
Library Media Specialist, Barger Academy of Fine Arts, 1999-present.
Previous Positions
7th grade World Geography teacher, Sequatchie Co., Tenn. Department of Education, 1998-99; Library Media Specialist, Aiken Co., South Carolina Department of Education, 1994-98; 4th grade teacher, Aiken Co., SC Department of Education, 1991-94; 5th grade teacher, Aiken Co., SC Department of Education, 1990-91; 4th - 6th grade Title I teacher, Sequatchie Co., TN Department of Education, 1985-90; Assistant Manager, B. Dalton Booksellers, 1983-84; 4th grade teacher, Sequatchie Co., TN Department of Education, 1978-83.
ALA Activities
AASL: Delegate - Tennessee President, Affiliate Assembly, 2005; AASL: Delegate - Tennessee Vice President, Affiliate Assembly, 2004; AASL: Committee Member, National School Library Media Program of the Year Committee.
Offices Held in State & Regional Library and Other Associations
Tennessee Association of School Librarians: Chairperson, Professional Development Committee, 2004-Present; Hamilton County Librarians: Elementary Representative, Steering Committee, 2000-Present; Tennessee Association of School Librarians: President, Executive Board, 2005; Tennessee Association of School Librarians: Vice President, Executive Board, 2004.
Honors, Awards, Prizes, Medals, Citations
Hamilton Co. Teacher of the Year, 2007.
Accomplishments
I have been an active member in AASL since Fall of 2003 when I attended my first AASL conference. At the local level I initiated the HELLO monthly meetings for librarians (Hamilton Educational Librarians' Local Organization). I plan, schedule, and facilitate each meeting. These meetings provide the opportunity for librarians to share ideas, see what is new in children's literature, meet authors, etc. I am also the elementary contact person on the Hamilton County Librarians' Steering Committee. I help coordinate, organize, plan, and facilitate all library in-service programs. I am the liaison between the librarians and Central Office. At the state level I have been planning professional development opportunities for Tennessee librarians since 2005. I coordinate two workshops each year. Each workshop is offered at least three times in order for librarians across the state to have the opportunity to attend without having to travel very far.
Statement
There are two issues about which I have concerns. First is funding for library media centers. I personally have to have fund raisers in order to have money for my library media center. I know I am not alone in this matter. I feel we need to continue to bring to the foreground how important library media centers are and that we need adequate funding to operate them. Secondly, I want to make sure that there are professional development opportunities for librarians that speak directly to their needs. It is important to continue to offer conferences, workshops, webinars, etc. throughout the year so that librarians can keep up-to-date on current issues and information. It is also important to offer them across the country in order for people to attend events that are close to them.
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