AASL Toolkit

I promised to help Ann Martin, AASL President, spread the word about some new resources that may be of help to you in times of financial difficulty in your district. This release dovetails nicely with my post about When Your Job is on the Line from a few days ago. Also see Joyce Valenza's post on these toolkits and an advocacy* institute here.

To All

I want to thank Doug Johnson for bringing attention to the fact that this is the time to step forward. He is absolutely right that the only one who can save your program is you and your constituents. AASL is dedicated to helping in any way we can and should you find your program in danger please do email me. As the spokesperson for AASL I will send letters to the leadership of your district. That does have an impact. But as Doug stated it will be the grassroots support of the voters in your community, your parents, your teachers, and your students telling the decision makers that libraries are essential that will make the difference.

In addition, here are some strategies that will prove helpful. The AASL Advocacy Committee worked over the summer and into the fall to create two toolkits to help you take leadership of your library advocacy. They worked hard so that you could have these practical and useful materials for NOW which is Budget time in most school districts throughout the country.

Please read the following press release.
<http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2008/december2008/aaslecontoolkits.cfm>

Then to view and use the Toolkits follow these links.
AASL Crisis Toolkit
<http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/aaslproftools/toolkits/advocacycrisis.cfm>

AASL Health and Wellness Toolkit
<http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/aaslproftools/toolkits/slmhealthandwellness.cfm>

I hope you will never need the Crisis Kit ˆ Please take action now and start implementing the steps in the Health and Wellness Toolkit.

Many thanks to Deb Logan and the AASL Advocacy Committee for creating these useful kits.

Ann

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Ann M. Martin
AASL President
5039 Bonnie Brae Rd.
Richmond, VA 23234
804.271.6717 (H)
804.652.3700 (W)
libraryann (a) comcast.net

OK, you've got the tools. Now make the effort.

*The word advocacy makes me nervous. Please remember that one does not advocate for libraries or librarians. One advocates for students, staff and other users of library services and materials. There is a huge difference.