Resources
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2011 MSLA ANTI-BULLYING SUMMIT Monday, March 14, 2011RESOURCES from the Summit linked, below
ANTI-BULLYING WIKI
Speaker Biographies
Keynote: Mary Sullivan, Massachusetts Attorney General's Office
Implementation of the Bullying Prevention Law Gail Okerman, Massachusetts School Counselors Association
Beyond Bullying Michael Tempesta, Principal Milford High School, MassCUE
De-Mystifying and Humanizing Bullying Dr. Mitchell Chester, Commissioner of Education
Dr. Lori DiGisi and Delores Krasner, Massachusetts Reading Association
Read-Alouds that Promote Understanding and Discussions about Bullying Roundtable Discussions of Best Resources and Practices
Facilitated by MSLA Executive Board Members
Anti-Bullying Roundtable Discussion: compiled on the Summit Wiki for all attendees.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 14 March 2011 )
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Job Description: School Librarian |
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What are the qualifications of a School Librarian? To whom does s/he report? What are the job goals?
What are the Roles and Responsibilities? DOWNLOAD the Job Description Approved by the MSLA Executive Board (4/11)
PDF Word Document
DOWNLOAD the Job Description of L4L (AASL)
PDF Word Document |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 05 July 2011 )
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1/10 AASL Resolution: We are School Librarians |
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RESOLUTION to standardize the use of the job title, “School Librarian”
Approved January 15, 2010 by the AASL Board of Directors Whereas, the overarching strategic goal of the American Association of School Librarians is to achieve universal recognition of school librarians as indispensable educational leaders; and
Whereas, the AASL Affiliate Assembly requested that the AASL Board of Directors choose a title for its professionals that is clear to other educators, administrators, and the public; and
Whereas, a recent AASL survey indicated confusion, misperceptions, and inconsistencies about various job titles in our profession; and
Whereas, AASL needed to agree on a common nomenclature for all publications and advocacy efforts; and
Whereas, the AASL’s leadership reviewed the data, identified the advantages and disadvantages of the various titles, and held a focused and extensive discussion.
Therefore be it resolved, AASL officially adopts “school librarian” as the title which reflects the roles of the 21st century school library professional as leader, instructional partner, information specialist, teacher, and program administrator; be it further resolved that AASL will advance and promote the title “school librarian” to ensure universal recognition of school librarians as indispensible educational leaders.
The following guiding principles govern these actions: Open dialog concerning knowledge of our stakeholders’ needs, wants, and preferences; the current realities and evolving dynamics of our environment; the capacity and strategic position of our organization; and the ethical implications relevant to this decision. |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 28 January 2010 )
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Technology Resources for School Libraries |
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Technology is an integral part of a School Library program.AASL Best Websites for Teaching and Learning including Landmark Sites announced July 2009
Link to the AASLwebsite
Article by Linda Friel , a member of the Task Force that published this resource
Note: the article appeared in the 2009 Forum Plus Web 2.0 Toolbox from Joyce Valenza Webtools4U2Use http://webtools4u2use.wikispaces.com/
Created by Dr. Donna Baumbach and Dr. Judy Lee
Description from the site about its purpose:
The purpose of this website is to provide a place for K-12 school library media specialists to learn a little more about web tools that can be used to improve and enhance school library media programs and services, to see examples of how they can be used, and to share success stories and creative ideas about how to use and integrate them. Hundreds of free and inexpensive web tools are available for school library media specialists to use that can make us more productive, valued, and, perhaps, more competitive. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nominations by MSLA Members February 2010
to Linda Friel and the Task Force, 25 Best Websites for Teaching and Learning
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 06 February 2010 )
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School Libraries Matter! Count! |
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Scholastic Publishing monograph, written by Terry Young: "The School Library is Critical to the Learning Experience and Student Academic Achievement", as demonstrated in state studies. Details of 14 state studies demonstrating the direct correlation between strong school library programs and high student achievement.
The “School Libraries Count!” survey aims to gather data on changes in the field to gain understanding of the state of school library media programs nationally. Results of the 2007 and 2008 studies, in Word and PowerPoint.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 22 May 2009 )
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Available for MSLA members: Thinkfinity Workshop JULY 2009 and Thinkfinity FIELD training AUGUST 2009 (note difference, below) *** Thinkfinity Workshop (introduction)*** - The workshop is offered for Thinkfinity.com training
- There will also be time set aside for curriculum development discussion
- The workshop will consist of two, five hour trainings on July 21 and 23, 2009
- There is a refrigerator and conference room for a half-hour lunch.
- The workshop will held at the SEMLS office: 10 Riverside Drive, Lakeville, MA 02347 | tel:508-923-3531
- Location and directions: http://www.semls.org/who/directions.html
- Limited to 16 members (16 computers available)
- The workshop is free but open only to MSLA members
Your membership must be current. - Participants can earn 10 PDPs
To Register: 1) Compose an email with the subject line: Thinkfinity Registration 2) Copy this information into your email and supply your information:
Name: Job Title: School: Work Phone: Home Address: Home Phone: Alt. phone: Email: Alternate email: 3) Send the email to Kathy Dubrovsky
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
You will receive a confirmation of your successful enrollment in the workshop. *** Thinkfinity FIELD Training (To become a Trainer)*** - The workshop is offered to MSLA members who have completed the MSLA Thinkfinity.com training
- After completing this training, you will be a Thinkfinity Field Trainer and be able to teach other teachers how to use Thinkfinity .org
- The workshop will consist of two, five hour trainings on August 4 and 13, 2009
- There is a refrigerator and conference room for a half-hour lunch.
- The workshop will held at the SEMLS office: 10 Riverside Drive, Lakeville, MA 02347 | tel:508-923-3531
- Location and directions: http://www.semls.org/who/directions.html
- Limited to 16 members (16 computers available)
- The workshop is free but open only to MSLA members
Your membership must be current. - Participants can earn 10 PDPs
To Register: 1) Compose an email with the subject line: Thinkfinity FIELD TRAINING Registration 2) Copy this information into your email and supply your information:
Name: Job Title: School: Work Phone: Home Address: Home Phone: Alt. phone: Email: Alternate email: 3) Send the email to Kathy Dubrovsky
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
You will receive a confirmation of your successful enrollment in the workshop. |
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 30 May 2009 )
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Search Statewide Databases/Find a Library Near You |
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School Libraries are an important part of the "Family" of Libraries in Massachusetts
- Search Our Virtual Resources Using Your Library Card
- Find and reserve books, CDs, DVDs and more from our Virtual Catalog.
- Find thousands of articles from magazines, scholarly journals, newspapers, investment reports, biographies, health resources, radio transcripts, reference books, and more using On-line Library Resources.
- Find a Library near you!
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Last Updated ( Friday, 22 February 2008 )
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2007 National Standards for School Libraries |
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Just announced at the AASL National Conference in Reno!
New national standards for school library media programs, available on the AASL web site:
http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslproftools/learningstandards/standards.cfm
This will be followed next year by a new mission statement and guidelines
for library media programs.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 29 October 2007 )
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Partnership for 21st Century Skills |
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive department
state house
boston, ma 02133
(617) 725-4000 February 20, 2008 Dear Colleague, As you may know, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a member of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. Since our acceptance into this national network of states working to infuse 21st Century skills into their state education systems, a broad based coalition of the education and workforce administrators, policy makers and members of the business community, has developed a compelling case for why 21st century skills must be integrated into learning wherever it occurs in the our Commonwealth. In addition, members of the advisory coalition have also made a commitment to communicate that case to others. Enclosed, therefore, please find a brief on the Massachusetts 21st Century Skills Initiative. Research and global statistics show there is a profound gap between the knowledge and skills most students learn in school and the knowledge and skills they need in higher education, work and community life in a world economy and global society. It is our hope that by raising awareness and understanding of this gap, stakeholders throughout the Commonwealth will work together to improve our education system and work force development initiatives. We believe that doing so will benefit students, communities and the Commonwealth. We ask you to join us in this effort by distributing this brief as broadly as possible. More importantly, we encourage you to incorporate the concepts, themes and ideas into your work and ongoing efforts. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Michele Norman, Policy Director in the Office of the Governor’s Education Advisor:
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Sincerely,
Dr. Dana Mohler-Faria
Governor’s Special Advisor for Education Suzanne Bump
Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Dan O’Connell
Secretary of Housing and Economic Development |
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 02 March 2008 )
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Read more...
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From the DESE webpage http://www.doe.mass.edu/recert/qa.html , the Recertification Guidelines state: PDPs will not be awarded for attendance at a professional conference.
Q: Are there any instances where conference participants can earn PDPs?
A: Yes, educators may receive PDPs for attendance at a professional conference only in the following instances:
• Registered professional development providers may award PDPs for conference attendance when educators participate in a conference for 10 hours or more on a topic with an observable demonstration of learning that could include a written product or other product that can be documented. Registered providers should issue Certificates of Attendance when educators participate in a conference that is less than 10 hours in a topic.
• Districts may award PDPs to educators for conference attendance after the successful completion of a professional conference (as evidenced by a Certificate of Attendance) with follow-up activities at the district level that combined with conference attendance total 10 hours or more. Follow-up activities at the district level must include an observable demonstration of learning that could include a written product or other product that can be documented.
• Educators are eligible to receive 30 PDPs from the conference provider or district the first time they make a presentation at a professional conference in a five-year renewal cycle. More information on PDPs from MSLA:
Each district can plan, assess, and approve professional development as it wishes, but the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has guidelines for teachers to keep track of their own Individual Professional Development Plans (IPDPs) and Professional Development Points (PDPs). Principals and other administrators rely on teachers to provide documentation that supports their professional educational activities that was previously approved (signed by teacher and principal). MSLA provides Certificates of Attendance or Certificates of Completion to participants in its professional development offerings like one-day workshops and the annual conference. You can use these certificates for "self-accounting" purposes.
Each teacher's IPDP contains goals and objectives to which each certificate or PDP can be linked. Goals are met through products that created as a result of attending conferences, seminars, workshops and other sessions where instruction and information are provided. Usually, 10 PDPs toward a teacher's goals is considered a group value for a product. For example, if you have a technology, literature, or information literacy goal, sessions at the annual MSLA conference or an MSLA- or MLS-sponsored one-day workshop could promote that goal, but the completion of the product is up to you. Showcasing your new webpage or blog for a department meeting could be the culmination of several work sessions with colleagues and attendance at a workshop or two. Attending author sessions at a conference might be part of your goal to improve your knowledge of YA literature. For your product, you might facilitate a book discussion group, or give a series of book talks for classes.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 16 June 2011 )
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Intellectual Freedom: Meeting the Challenge |
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What is Intellectual Freedom?
"Intellectual freedom is the right of every individual to both seek and receive
information from all points of view without restriction. It provides for free
access to all expressions of ideas through which any and all sides of a question,
cause or movement may be explored." ~American Library Association Guidelines for Meeting the Challenge The MSLA Intellectual Freedom committee recommends the following proactive
guidelines for establishing and maintaining a strong library program and collection.
The ideas that follow will also help the librarian build allies and deflect potential
challenges should they arise. Materials Selection Policy, approved by the School Committee - including Reconsideration Policy and form
- including Collection Development Statement
Collection Development
- Use reviews to make decisions for purchases; some recommended
core review sources: - School Library Journal
- Booklist
- The Horn Book
- Professional knowledge and experience
- Examine new materials as they arrive
Library Climate - Welcoming atmosphere
- Provide service for Students, Faculty, Administration, School Committee,
Parents, Community Members
Outreach - Back to School Night
- Welcome Volunteers to work in your library
- Library web site and brochures
- Professional Development for staff
- PTO presentations
Connections - Join professional organizations and listservs: MSLA, AASL, LM_NET
- Stay informed about Intellectual Freedom groups and issues
- ALA - Office for Intellectual Freedom
- Be aware of pro-censorship organizations
IF a challenge comes… Don’t assume that an objection or criticism is the
beginning of a challenge - Try to resolve the concern informally
- Review the material that is of concern
- Look at it from the complainant’s perspective, as well as your own
Steps to follow to respond to a challenge
It is important to know and follow the formal steps in your district’s Selection Policy.
If your district does not have a Selection Policy in place, look at one from a similar
community, or look at the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom’s
“Workbook for Selection Policy Writing”
http://www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/workbook_selection.html After the formal challenge is made 1. Provide the complainant with handouts as specified in the Selection Policy.
For ex:
- the reconsideration form
- reconsideration procedure
- Library Bill of Rights)
2. Inform your principal and your library director immediately Respect your district’s chain of command Develop a procedural strategy with your principal 3. Keep detailed written records 4. An objective third party should be present during any discussion of the challenge 5. Notify the MSLA Executive Director, Kathy Lowe
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6. Consult with other library teachers (locally or electronically) - Do not assume confidentiality, especially with e-mail
7. Contact allies - Faculty members
- Parents
- Community members
Keep in mind: the “target” is the material, NOT the librarian.
Further Resources
AASL Intellectual Freedom Brochure Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
http://www.ala.org/cipa
Summary of the legislation and guidelines for schools and libraries Coping With Challenges: Kids and Libraries: What You Should Know
http://www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/kidsandlibraries.html Coping With Challenges: Strategies and Tips for Dealing with Challenges
http://www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/coping_inf.html
Contains strategies and topics specifically for school libraries Intellectual Freedom Resource Guide
http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslproftools/resourceguides/intellectual.cfm Internet School Library Media Center; Intellectual Freedom
http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/free.htm#TOP Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) Internet Filtering Statement
http://www.masslib.org/internetfiltering.htm What You Can Do to Oppose Censorship
http://www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/whatyoucando.html
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 24 July 2008 )
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School Library Associations by State |
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Resources 
