Get inspired with AASL's school tours at national conference
Contact: Melissa B. Jacobsen
AASL Communications Specialist
(312) 280-4381
NEWS
For Immediate Release
March 31, 2009
CHICAGO – Be sure to arrive early to the American Association of School Librarians' (AASL) 14th National Conference & Exhibition. The Wednesday and Thursday before conference will be dedicated to many networking events, including school tours. With four different tour options, school library media specialists are sure to find inspiration to bring back to their school library media program. Â
"From independent schools to a local high school working in collaboration with a public library, AASL has a tour that is sure to fit your program. Be sure to sign up early to secure your spot in the ultimate event for any school library media specialist looking to get great ideas on 'revving up learning' at their school library!" said AASL President Ann M. Martin.
During the
All Day Independent School Tour, attendees will visit the oldest and largest independent co-educational college preparatory school in the area and the eighth largest in the country – Charlotte Country Day School (CCDS). Since 1941, CCDS has developed the character of its students by "fostering intellectual curiosity, principled character, ethical leadership, and a responsibility to serve." The three library media centers of CCDS serve three distinct populations on two campuses – the Lower School, Middle School and Upper School. State-of-the-art technology, resources in various formats and programs that address different learning styles meet the needs of a diverse community.
The next stop is a visit to Providence Day School, named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education, located in southeast Charlotte on 45 acres of forgotten farmland. The Thompson-Jones Library at Providence Day is an architecturally stunning building of 36,000 square feet with ample resources to support the academic curriculum for students in grades TK-12. The library is completely automated and has a strong commitment to technology, with every student and faculty member having computer access to more than 10,000 full-text journals and newspapers from around the world.
Finally, guests will visit Charlotte Latin’s Media Center. This inviting space is designed to serve the multiple needs of the students and teachers. From encouraging students to settle into a comfortable chair to read a good book to accessing the latest research online via a wireless laptop computer, the media center houses a vast array of print and electronic resources – more than 40,000 titles, including 1,400 e-books, are available. Students and parents may also access many online databases, encompassing thousands of periodicals and reference books, from the school or home. The independent schools tour is an all-day tour and includes lunch.
Get your exercise for the day and visit two urban elementary schools on the
Downtown Charlotte School Library Walking Tour. The first stop will be a Title I school, First Ward Accelerated Learning Academy, located in uptown Charlotte. Serving approximately 440 students, this K-5 public school boasts a tradition of innovation and commitment. The media center's emphasis on multicultural literature reflects the needs of the student population. The media center was designed to integrate technology and multiple group usage for research, instruction and personal information needs.
The walking tour will then visit Dilworth Elementary School, located in the historic Dilworth neighborhood. For students at Dilworth Elementary, the day starts with a broadcast from the television studio, and the instructional program integrates, relates and correlates "Open Court" themes with information and computer skills. The media center is the school's lifeblood, with a fabulous view of some of the old and new homes in the area and access to both print and emerging technologies.
During the
Middle School and Leadership Magnet Program School Tour, guests will visit the Military & Global Leadership Academy at Marie G. Davis (MGLA), a magnet program for students in grades 6-11. The program at MGLA is unique, with a focus on leadership, character development, international studies and technology. The MGLA media center is a multiple-use resource center offering opportunities for students and faculty to become information literate.
The tour will continue to Bailey Middle School, which opened its doors in 2006 and serves more than 1,300 students from three local towns: Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville. Set in a rural environment, the school was named to honor the descendants of agricultural heritage of the area. The mission of the media center is to "provide access to a great variety of resources and information, while teaming in educating, inspiring, empowering and promoting the love of reading and learning."
The
Unique Student Population and Language Academy School Tour will begin with a tour of Metro School, which serves approximately 200 students, ranging in age from 5 to 22, with moderate to severe disabilities. The Metro School media center specializes in meeting the needs of students with multiple disabilities and cognitive delays. The collection includes age appropriate materials for students in elementary, middle and high school classes. In addition to books, magazines and audiovisual materials, the media center also has a collection of adapted books. Adapted books, created by the PTO, have layers of texture and color added to the original text.
Next is a visit to Oaklawn Language Academy, a magnet offering a unique learning environment where students explore the world via English, French and Spanish. In 2008, Oaklawn Language Academy was the only world languages magnet school to receive the Magnet Schools of America "Magnet School of Distinction." In 2008-09, media assistants were cut, but the principal elected to fully fund a full-time media assistant.
Finally, during the
Joint Public/High School Library Media Center Tour attendees will visit the Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology (POB). POB offers students more than 50 career and technical education courses within three Career Academies. The school shares a unique collaboration with the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (PLCMC). During the school day, POB students and teachers enter a 20,000-square-foot facility to use a computer learning lab, an instructional area, electronic and print resources, a television studio and much more.
The AASL 14th National Conference & Exhibition, "Rev up learning @ your library," is the only national conference dedicated solely to the needs of school library media specialists and their roles as educational leaders. The conference will feature 10 preconferences, numerous concurrent sessions, more than 200 exhibiting companies, educational and school tours, a storytelling festival and special appearances by award-winning authors. For more information, visit
http://www.ala.org/aasl/charlotte
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.
