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Legislators@Your Library Campaign PSLA Conference 2012 An initiative of the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association Presented by John Emerick and Janet Malloy

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Background to the Campaign Spring 2008 Visits to PA legislators reveal that most legislators are: Unaware that 40% of PA schools have no library or librarian Unaware of age of books in school libraries Unaware of vast inequities across the state for PAs K-12 students Unaware that school libraries have no voice in PDE

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Pennsylvania School Librarians Association Legislators@Your Library Campaign Purpose: Provide members with a trained event planner to facilitate visitation Create visibility- association & libraries Help legislators understand the role of the 21 st century LMS in student learning Build a base for support in state government

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Communicate with the local legislators office to arrange the visitation Advise LMS on visitation details, activities, using checklists Arrange for media coverage, preparing press releases Debrief with LMS Basic Responsibilities of the Event Planner

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Secure permission Confirm date & time Host the visit and plan activities Provide prepared packet of information to the legislator and discuss library needs Arrange for photo ops Follow through with thank yous & PSLA feedback report Basic Responsibilities of the LMS

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Resources Lists & Checklists Big Picture Checklist for the Event Planner (EP) Big Picture Checklist for the School Library Media Specialist Suggested Activities List Initial Info Checklist ( both EP and LMS)Initial Info Checklist ( both EP and LMS) Event Planner Research (EP)Event Planner Research Contacting the Legislator (EP)Contacting the Legislator Event Planner-LMS Confirmation Checklist Event Planner-LMS Confirmation Checklist (both EP and LMS) PSLA Report (EP=Event Planner; LMS=Library Media Specialist)

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Resources Samples & Attachments Legislator @Your Library Program (handout for EP to email legislator's scheduler/aide to set up visit) Sample Formal Invitation Sample District Invite Email Sample Press Release Sample Thank You to Legislator (EP=Event Planner; LMS=Library Media Specialist) All materials can be found on the PSLA Legislation Committee webpages at http://www.psla.org/association/committee/legislation/legislatorlibrary.php4 http://www.psla.org/association/committee/legislation/legislatorlibrary.php4

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Resources: Prepared Packet Materials Packets are sent to you for the legislator. PSLA Legislator@Your Library Campaign Background of the School Library School Library Guidelines & Data Measuring Up to Standards Findings (the Pennsylvania Study of 1999-2000)Measuring Up to Standards Findings Pennsylvania's School Libraries: Key Players in Education Pennsylvania's School Libraries: Key Players in Education School Libraries Work! 3rd ed. (Scholastic, c2008) School Libraries Work! Sue Fulmer, Central Dauphin East HS, discusses issues with Senator Piccola, Chairman of the Senate Education Committee in a recent visit to her library.

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Audenried High School Library Dedication 2/17/09 Hosted by Alice Lee, LMS Assisted by Marybeth Leary, EP Press coverage- Channel 10, South Philadelphia Public Record, and South Philly Review SURPRISE! donation of funds for new books by Kal Rudman, local philanthropist PA Representatives Kenyatta Johnson talks to students at Audenried HS Library dedication.

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Seuss on the Loose at Foose Foose Elementary, Harrisburg SD 3/9/09 Hosted by Leann Cox, LMS Assisted by Lin Carvell, EP Press - local News, district website, Students produced a video to broadcast through school One-on-one conversation, tour, and use of packet with huge thank you for SKILLS support US Congressman Tim Holden, co-sponsor of the SKILLS Act talks to students at Foose.

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Senator Mike Folmer visits North Annville on April 3, 2009 Anita Mentzer, librairan Lin Carvell, EP Press release sent to local newspaper Patriot News School RoundUp article Sen. Folmer observed Anita teaching an d2nd graders using POWER Library databases Sen. Folmer serves on the Education Committee School administrators present and pleased

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Rep. Tom Creighton at Clay Elementary School, April 7, 2009 Librarian Sally Perry, Event Planner Lin Carvell 4th gr. students doing a research project Faculty luncheon planned Students gave Rep. Creighton a tour of the school Sally used packet to discuss inequities in library funding Local cable did a story for the evening news 2 local newspapers sent photographers

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Rep. Sandra Major, (R) 111th District visited Blue Ridge Elementary School Library, New Milford, Susquehanna County. She spoke about running a campaign, being in a debate and read Duck for President to third, fourth, and fifth grade students. Thanks to Sue Piorkowski, LMS

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State Sen. Leach at Penn Wynne Elementary School, Nov. 3, 2011

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Senator Daylin Leach Visits Penn Wynne Elementary School November 3, 2011 LMS: A. Brahin Tabb Event Planner: Janet Malloy

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Rep. Tony Payton, Jr Visited Taylor Elementary School on March 2, 2012 LMS Joan Greenberg hosted Rep. Payton for a read-a-loud honoring Read Across America and Dr. Seuss!

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What PSLA Needs Legislators to Understand School library funding is at the discretion of local school boards & administrators There are no requirements in PA that schools must have libraries or librarians. There are vast inequities among K-12 schools in terms of opportunities for students to access books and technology to learn how to find and use information effectively. The Costing Out Study of 2007 implied that state funding gives all students equal opportunities to learn. It does not as long as districts can decide whether to have adequate library services and programs or not.

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Results Will Happen with each Visit Legislators who visit our libraries and see what we can do and what children are learning will take that vision back to Harrisburg. We need them to hold that mental image of kids learning and creating in school libraries so that they remember that every time they vote on an educational finance bill. Building a base of support to improve staffing, funding, and access to technology in Pennsylvania school libraries

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Librarians need to reshape the perceptions [that] other educators, school board members, and legislators have of libraries and librarians. Until that happens, status, priority funding, and support will continue to elude them. Gary Hartzell Author, presenter, former principal and school superintendent, and retired educational administration professor, University of Nebraska at Omaha

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Question & Answer Session Thank you for your time! Please contact Deb Kachel at dkachel@mansfield.edu to set up a PSLA Legislator@Your Library Event at your library!