**UPDATED: Rock Star Advocacy

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Changing expectations to influence outcomes.

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“Only 47% [of principals] believe there is direct link between effective librariesand increased student achievement.” - “School Library Journal’s Survey or Principals” (Lau, 2002)

“[Many] tend to rely on their own image of school libraries and librarians from their youth.” - “A Report of Findings From Six Focus Groups with K-12 Parents, Teachers, and Principals, as Well as Middle and High School Students” (AASL, 2003)

“[Many] do not see librarians as educated professionals who play an active role in the academic community.” - “A Report of Findings From Six Focus Groups with K-12 Parents, Teachers, and Principals, as Well as Middle and High School Students” (AASL, 2003)

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“By the time they

come for your job, it’s already

too late.”

Keep a “story file” and be ready to share.

Write a column in your PTA newsletter.

Hold a library open house _______ night.

Create amission statement for your library.

Do more than just attend meetings.

Prove that you know about more than books..

Technology

Curriculum

You

Collectand

share dataabout your work.

Problems?or

Solutions?

What do you bring to the table?

Every Policy

Every Purchase

Every Decision

Every Interaction

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Invite schoolboard members,local politicians,reporters, community leaders, etcto visit your library.

Speak atlocal events:Ed sororities,PTA Councils,

Chambers of Commerce,clubs and organizations.

Offer towrite articlesfor districtwide publications:PR, PD, Finance, HR.

Submitarticles toyour local

newspaper BEFORE there

is a crisis looming.

Addyour events tolocal communitycalendars/bulletins.

Be abusiness

card bomber:Pass your cards

out Ninja style.

Elevatethose who support youand your students.

Harnessthe

powerof

Social Media.

Stepoutside

the echochamber.

Joinand helpgrow yourprofessionalorganization(s).

Getyour

studentsinvolved in

national contests.

Getoff yourduff andrespond torequests to advocate.

Helpcultivate

moreRock Stars!

Kids First.Everything Else Second.

Share.

You’re not tooting your own horn.

It’s not bragging if it’s true.

Don’t advocate for librarians or libraries.

Advocate for kids.

“Be not afraid of going slowly. Fear only standing still.”

- Chinese Proverb

www.librarygirl.net

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