Electronic Newsletter of The Oregon Association of School Libraries
Available on the website at <http://www.oasl.info>
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Volume 20 No.1 September, 2007
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FROM THE PRESIDENT
the "official" letter ----- Gregory Lum
FROM THE MEMBERSHIP
1. Retirement – Jeri Petzel
2. Conferemce Service Project – Kathy Jensen
3. Conference Credit – Ruth Murray
4. OASL Board Notes -- Secretary, Jenny Takeda
FROM THE STATE
1. Lois Lowry to speak at Eugene Public Library – Mary Ginnaine
2. SKILLS Act – Diedre Conkling
3. Video Opportunity – Beth Anne Huffine
4. Libraries reopen – Anne Billeter
(Look for a familiar name)
5. Refer questions to OSL via L-NET – Robin Speer
6. TSPC updates school Licensure Requirements – Robin Speer
7. Oregon reads 2009 – Robin Speer
8. State Library News -- Patty Sorensen
FROM ALA and AASL
1. AASL Conference 2007 – Kathy Agarwal
2. Banned Book week from AASL – Kathy Agarwal
3 Grant Opportunity – Kathy Agarwal
4. 2008 National Library Week is April 13-19 – Kathy Agarwal
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FROM THE PRESIDENT --- Gregory Lum
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Welcome back to another school year! As I begin my twenty-sixth year in education, I continue to have enthusiasm for the students. I trust that each of you energizes your students and colleagues as you work together this school year.
Remember to register for the fall conference in Seaside on October 12 and 13. This is the first OASL fall conference. Janet Setness, conference chair, and her committee have worked all year to bring together amazing speakers, authors, and sessions. “Making Waves: Sneaker, Surfing, and Tsunami Ideas” is the perfect theme for the coast. Every fall I come back to school with wonderful ideas from colleagues, inspiration from speakers, and a deeper appreciation of writing from authors.
OASL’s membership and conference registration went online this past year! I want to thank Jo Ann Klassen for her many, many volunteer hours working on this project. Edith Fuller and Sue Kelsey have helped in the project as well.
My theme as president this year is “Maintaining Traditions; Making History.” Our traditions as OEMA will continue and our history will start with a new name, Oregon Association of School Libraries, for our organization.
See you at the beach in October.
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FROM THE MEMBERSHIP
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1. RETIREMENT – Jeri Petzel
I retired in June after 33 years as an educator. In August, my husband and I moved to Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands for 2 years. He is port engineer for a private company here and currently, I am "Island Fluff," because I am not employed. There is a well-stocked public library, as well as a school library with a school librarian that serves the 400 students in the elementary, middle, and high school.
2. CONFERENCE SERVICE PROJECT – Kathy Jensen
Fall Conference Service Project: Don't forget to bring coloring books and crayons to the Fall Conference in Seaside for the Clatsop County Women's Resource Center. LUM's Auto will donate $1.00 for each coloring book up to $500. The group uses the coloring books and crayons to help keep children occupied when they go out on domestic violence call. Hopefully we will get a great selection of coloring books that include wordless and text. Look for the special donation drop off in the exhibitor's area. A representative from the Women's Resource Center will be at the banquet to receive the donation. Hope to see you in Seaside with coloring books and crayons.
3. CONFERENCE CREDIT – Ruth Murray
College Credit just for enjoying the OASL conference at Seaside or all this and the Beach too! Getting college credit for the conference is as easy as signing up and bring your check book. Oh yes, and you have to write a VERY SHORT reflection on you favorite session. Just find the PSU table at the conference and either Ruth Murray or Deanna Draper will be sitting there to sign you up. You need to be attending BOTH days of the conference to receive the credit. The cost is a mere $60. for one hour credit- such a deal! Write if you have questions or just see us at the conference. Ruth Murray murrayr@pdx.edu
4. OASL BOARD NOTES -- Secretary, Jenny Takeda
The OASL Board met on July 30th & 31st at Silver Falls.
The Board formulated strategies for the following goals for 2007-08:
-Membership---increase membership numbers and participation
-School Library Promotion---promote school libraries at all levels
-Quality Education Model---provide input to state level decision-making bodies regarding how school library programs/staffing/resources impact student achievement.
-District Administrative Resources---promote professionalism by providing resources to district administrators
-Promote Student Achievement---promote student achievement through school library programs.
Action items:
-Oregon Battle of the Books was voted t o become a standing OASL committee.
-After reviewing a proposal from the Ad hoc Committee on Streamlining the OASL Board, the Board recommended passage of proposed bylaws changes that will be presented at the fall conference business luncheon.
5. LIBRARY VIDEO FUN – Debbie Straw
Try Youtube's "Medieval Help Desk" just for the laugh.
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQHX-SjgQvQ>
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FROM THE STATE
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1. LOIS LOWRY TO SPEAK AT THE EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY – Mary Ginnaine
In honor of Banned Books Week, Eugene Public Library hosts a free talk by internationally-acclaimed writer Lois Lowry on Wednesday, October 10, at 6:00 in the Downtown Library. Dave Fidanque, Executive Director of the ACLU of Oregon, introduces Lowry.
This Author!Author! event celebrating free speech, the power of fiction, and the love of reading is co-sponsored by the Eugene Public Library Foundation, with the University of Oregon Bookstore providing author-signed books for sale on-site.
2. SKILLS ACT – Stephanie Miller
ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT TO SAVE SCHOOL LIBRARIES!
You still have time to contact Congress about the SKILLS Act. For more information, go to http://blogs.ala.org/aasl.php?cat=158. Thre is also a link to the contact information for your congressional representatives
Remember, OLA has endorsed the ALA Resolution in support of this act. Contact information can be found at http://olanetwork.wikispaces.com/ALA+Issues
3. VIDEO OPPORTUNITY – Beth Anne Huffine
A friend of mine, George Clark, has been involved with the development of a film called “The Hollywood Librarian: A Look at Librarians Through Film” which premiered at this year’s ALA conference. He passed along that the film is being released during banned books week and they are looking for libraries to show it. Apparently it is not scheduled anywhere in Oregon yet. The film is free to libraries but they are required to charge admission for it. If you go to the web site below you can find out details about arranging for a screening. While the information on the web site indicates the deadline for arranging a screening is past George seemed to think it would still be possible to make arrangements. You should be able to find a link to the movie trailer as well.
<http://www.hollywoodlibrarian.com/screen.html>http://www.hollywoodlibrarian.com/screen.html
4. LIBRARIES REOPEN – Anne Billeter
(Look for a familiar name)
Jackson County Libraries are likely to reopen in November Under the proposal the Central Medford library, and the Ashland, Central Point, Eagle Point, and Rogue River branches would each be open 24 hours per week. Six more branches would be open 16 hours per week and four would be open 8 hours per week. A number of services
provided prior to the closure would not be provided or would be provided at some level by volunteers, such as Outreach to the Homebound. The Committee to Open Ashland Library (COAL), co-chaired by Amy Blossom, former Ashland Librarian, and Pam Vavra, is working hard to pass the levy, which requires a double majority. Other
librarians deeply involved in COAL include John Sexton, Amy Kinard, Ann
Magill, Bill Street, and Anne Billeter.
5. REFER QUESTIONS TO OSL VIA L-NET – Robin Speer
The State Library participates in L-net, the virtual reference service provided by Oregon libraries. In addition to staffing two shifts each week, OSL also serves as a referral library for questions relating to Oregon history, Oregon laws, state government issues or state and federal documents. Reference requests can be sent through the <http://www.oregonlibraries.net/email>L-net email form. Use the pull-down menu to select "State Library of Oregon."
6. TSPC UPDATES SCHOOL LIBRARY LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS – Robin Speer
For the past year the Oregon Association of School Libraries has been working with TSPC (Teachers Standards and Practices Commission) to update the language and requirements in the Library Media Certification for School Librarians. The process included guidance from TSPC and meetings with key representatives from schools, universities with school library programs, and the school library consultant at the State Library. The representative group drafted a document of possible licensure language that included more updated language and job requirements including information literacy, technology, and collaborative teaching. TSPC worked with these suggestions to draft the new licensure requirements. The draft revision then went through two public hearings and was officially adopted on August 1, 2007. The TSPC reference number is 584-065-0110 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities for Library Media Endorsement. OASL should be congratulated for their vision and persistence to continually improve School Library programs in Oregon. For more information contact <mailto:patty.sorensen@state.or.us>Patty Sorensen, 503-378-5011.
7. OREGON READS 2009 – Robin Speer
Oregon Reads 2009 will be the first statewide community reads program in Oregon. As part of Oregon’s sesquicentennial commemoration, Oregon Reads will celebrate the diversity of people and experiences that make our state special. Every participating library will receive free copies of Stubborn Twig: Three Generations in the Life of a Japanese American Family by Lauren Kessler, a poster, and bookmarks. Libraries will also have access to the website to download activity ideas, book club discussion guides, additional reading lists, and more. At minimum, all your library has to do to participate is make Stubborn Twig available for your patrons to check out, hang the poster in your library, and put out the bookmarks for patrons to take. Currently, 84 out of 130 libraries have committed to participating in Oregon Reads 2009. If your library has not committed yet, please do so by filling out <https://web.memberclicks.com/mc/quickForm/viewForm.do?orgId=ola&formId=28683>this survey.
8. STATE LIBRARY NEWS OASL -- Patty Sorensen
OSL Resources
If you would like to request these or other materials from the Oregon State Library please fax your request to the State Library document delivery department at 503-588-7119 with complete request information (item name, call number and your school contact information.) Items added to our LIS collection are also announced via RSS! See http://osl-lis.blogspot.com/ for more information!
1- 021 Libra 2 (DVD) Library Challenges & Opportunities: The Relevance of Libraries in a Digital Age. Dir. DVD. College of DuPage Press, 2007. The rapidly expanding availability and diversity of digital content and discovery tools challenges the future centrality of the library and its traditional role. Join a panel of participants representing all types of libraries as they answer questions central to this issue.
2- 020/2854678 Soari (DVD) Soaring to Excellence: Library 2.0 and Beyond. Dir. DVD. College of DuPage Press, 2007. A panel of experts showcase a toolkit of valuable resources they have compiled and discuss the increasing demands and outlets for information that librarians may find a bit overwhelming. If you don’t have time to view this 90 minute video, you can check out the PowerPoint slides at: http://www.dupagepress.com/COD/index.php?id=1188 and the toolkit at:
http://soaring.pbwiki.com/ (click on the blue w ords on the right side like Blog, Books.)
The library science collection is meant to support the whole Oregon library community. The collection is funded with LSTA funds administered by the Oregon State Library. The Library Development Division welcomes your suggestions for acquisitions – see the blog for an input form or email us!
Check these out!
http://oedb.org/library/features/top-25-web20-search-engines
Quality Education Model Analysis 2007
The State Library’s QEM analysis will be available online in September at:
http://www.oregon.gov/OSL/LD/school/index.shtml Be sure to look at the Fully Funded Model requirements as they have been refined.
Patty Sorensen, School Librarian Consultant, State Library, patty.sorensen@state.or.us, 503-378-5011
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FROM ALA and AASL
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1. AASL CONFERENCE 2007 – Kathy Agarwal
News ideas and innovations will be presented at the many programs and sessions during the AASL 13th National Conference & Exposition in Reno, Nev., October 25-28. Plan your trip to Reno and learn many new things, visit library-friendly exhibits, network with colleagues, and be an active part of the largest professional conference for school library media specialists.
You have until September 28 to take advantage of the discounted Advance registration rate - AASL members save $50 of the cost of full conference registration.
Register today at http://www.ala.org/aasl/reno
2. BANNED BOOKS WEEK from AASL – Kathy Agarwal
Aye, mateys... celebrate your freedom to read!
ALA's "Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read" is observed during the last week of September each year. Observed since 1982, this annual ALA event reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted.
This year marks BBW's 26th anniversary and the celebration will take place September 29 through October 6, with a pirate theme.
Check out the Banned Books page at
http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bannedbooksweek.htm
Read more from the OIF blog at http://tinyurl.com/yw2n2q
Learn more about ALA OIF at http://www.ala.org/oif
3. GRANT OPPORTUNITY – Kathy Agarwal
$5,000 Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week Grant announced!
Libraries of all types are invited to apply for the $5,000 Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week Grant, which will be awarded to a single library for the best public awareness campaign incorporating the 2008 National Library Week theme, "Join the circle of knowledge @ your library."
The 2007 recipient, Minoa (N.Y.) Elementary School, promoted National Library Week by partnering with local businesses and municipal agencies. The library presented each partner with a sign to display outside its building featuring a customized slogan and the theme for National Library Week.
The 2008 grant application and guidelines are available on The Campaign for America's Libraries Web site at http://www.ala.org/ala/pio/natlibraryweek/nlwgrant.htm
The application deadline is October 1, 2007. The winner will be notified and announced following the 2008 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia.
4. 2008 NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK – Kathy Agarwal
2008 National Library Week is April 13-19. For all you “Sound of Music” lovers, Julie Andrews is the honorary chair.
See the full announcement at http://www.ala.org/ala/pio/natlibraryweek/nlw.htm
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Linda Ague