AASL requests member feedback on new Learning Standards draft

Contact: Kathy Agarwal

Communications Specialist

312-280-4381

kagarwal@ala.org

For Immediate Release

January 16, 2007

AASL requests member feedback on

new Learning Standards draft

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is releasing a second draft of its new learning standards and soliciting member feedback. The new draft document will be available for download via the AASL Web site, www.aasl.org, from January 16 to February 1, 2007.

AASL also will host an open forum on new learning standards at the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Seattle, on Friday, January 19, at 4 p.m. The “AASL Open Forum on New Learning Standards” will be held at the Westin Hotel, Cascade Ballroom II and is open to anyone interested.

“AASL recognizes the changing role of school library media programs as we look into the future,” said AASL President Cyndi Phillip. “We believe that the changing educational environment, especially with the focus on 21st century skills needed for today’s workplace, makes it necessary to update current learning standards.”

The AASL Learning Standards Task Force, chaired by Gail Dickinson and Cassandra Barnett, began working on the first draft of the new Learning Standards in early fall of 2006. The first draft was available for review with feedback on the AASL Web site from November 6 through December 8, 2006. The Task Force reviewed and considered comments and reactions received from members and incorporated the feedback into the second draft of the Learning Standards.

The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), promotes the improvement and extension of library media services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program. Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change and develop leaders in the school library media field.