by Sandy Kelly, LMS NBCT

As I gather my thoughts for my final “President’s Message,” I am in awe of how quickly two years can pass. In June, I hand over this position to Gerri Fegan and continue to remain enthusiastic that school library programs will grow and flourish throughout Massachusetts. I know Gerri’s experience and vitality will continue to move the mission and goals of our organization forward.

New educational leadership in our state and nation has brought new vision and new opportunities for school librarians to be recognized as educational leaders that reach every student and teacher in their school community. We are experts on the skills that are required for a 21^st century education, the very skills needed to build the future. We provide the resources and knowledge that our students need to gather information, utilize informational technologies and create new understanding. In this day and age, the school library with a skilled library teacher’s expertise is as fundamental to a student’s education as the acquisition of basic reading, math and technology skills. We provide the building blocks for future learning. Of course I am singing to the choir, but perhaps you are singing with me in other places too.

When a youngster enters our schools they are provided paper, pencils, crayons, glue and a trained teacher to begin building their skills. Continued use and practice brings their creativity, thinking and accumulated knowledge to higher levels. Good school libraries are equally vital for the growth of their learning. We provide the resources for research, creativity and global understanding. Our books and computers are the paper, pencils and crayons needed for information, practice, critical thinking and building expertise. The skills we teach them provides the glue to allow learners to bring meaning to the skills they acquire in their education.

Equally important, the school library is the learning lab, the center of the school that provides the space for building a community of learners. It creates a safe environment for every child, from the focused and driven learner, to the one that thinks or acts differently or “out of the box.”  These children are our future innovators, business owners who will grow our economy and world leaders. Every child receiving a free public education deserves the building blocks and skills a good school library provides.

We all know that the economy has provided stumbling blocks across the country and our world. School libraries and their teachers are not the only ones being affected by budgetary decisions. That is why it is more important than ever that our organization remains strong, cutting edge and forward thinking. When my car breaks down I look for an expert to fix it. I still like the fellow where Dad used to bring his car, but if he hasn’t kept up with the technology, bought new manuals, has the skills and equipment to repair my new 21^st century gadgetry, I am going to drive by. I cannot risk wasting time and my money with him. Yes, I listen to him, like him and feel sorry that he had to lay off his help, I know he has a hard time keeping up with all the little things that need to get done…but I still can’t bring my car there. 

My message to you is one of survival of the fittest. Stay involved with your professional network via MSLA. Membership and attending annual conference are the best opportunities to remain viable, informed and cutting edge. Be proactive not reactive. Promote your good work with your constituents; the parents who pay taxes and your salary, the principal who touts your work to other staff members, encourages integration and recommends your rehire, and the students who love coming to your library because they feel focused, engaged and safe there. No one is indispensable, but it sure is difficult to replace that skilled mechanic that you’ve built your rapport with.

Life in the school library world is moving slowly at this time. We face difficult decision-making daily. We are all so busy trying to keep up that sometimes we do not see the forest for the trees. MSLA needs to keep growing and moving forward too. I have been proud and honored to work with such intelligent, hard working, forward thinkers on our executive board these past few years. Each one has a fulltime job, family  obligations and the need for downtime. Yet each so values the work of our organization that we continue to run to meetings, continue our professional development, manage our libraries knowing that our jobs and those of our colleagues are at risk. MSLA has exceeded 800 members this year and continues to grow. We have built positive networks of communication with state legislators, the Governor’s office, the Department of Education including our new Commissioner, Dr. Mitchell Chester, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Partnership for 21^st Century Skills, the Massachusetts Library Association, MassCUE, NEASC, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the Parent Teacher Association. Every constituent we meet supports and values our mission and goals. We are all on the same page yet face the same difficult, decision making situations. To survive we must continually make clear our value and remain a positive force with a unified, positive voice.

It is vital to continue our work individually and as a collegial group. Though I leave the presidency I will continue on the MSLA board as past president. I have accepted a position on the AASL (American Association of School Librarians) Advocacy Committee and am applying to the committee to revise guidelines for the Library Media Specialist National Board certification. I encourage each of you to explore the national certification. It brings prestige and credibility to our profession and is respected and recognized by President Obama and his new Education Secretary, Arne Duncan.

Finally, it is up to each of us to join the team, continue the effort, and maintain the institutional knowledge and history of the MSLA board’s work. Participation in board activities has brought me a broader understanding of the importance of our job, greater appreciation for the dedication of our colleagues and continued enthusiasm to do more when I feel tired. I am excited to welcome new members to our board next year and look forward to more of you stepping up to the plate so that all of our efforts continue.

I leave you with thoughts of the two car repairmen…the nice guy who is a little old school, maybe even a little less expensive or the one who can fix my car. Which one would you choose? How about your principal?

Best wishes for a wonderful sun filled and rejuvenating summer.

Sandy Kelly is the Library Teacher at Carlisle Elementary School in Carlisle MA