By
Susi Grissom
April approaches, and with it comes a
terrific advocacy opportunity for you and your community -- the celebration of
School Library Month (SLM)! Sponsored by
the American Association of School Librarians, this month offers many
opportunities to focus on “the essential role that strong school library
programs play in transforming learning” (SLM web site). Acclaimed
actress and recent Academy Award winner Julianne Moore serves as spokeswoman
for this year’s SLM, and the website features a heartfelt tribute to the role
school libraries played in her development as a child.
Texas
librarians still have time to encourage their students to participate in the
Digital Storytelling Festival with students creating digital artifacts that
illuminate the month’s theme, “Your School Library: Where Learning Never Ends.” The digital artifacts should be created with
tools from AASL’s Best Websites for Teaching and Learning and vary in
requirements according to age categories.
The digital artifacts should be submitted on a web form, accessible from
the AASL website, by Friday, March 6 – around the corner but within creative
reach. Check out this web page for more
information on the Festival.
Details
on a variety of professional development webinars, as well as free and
downloadable resources for publicizing SLM, can also be found on the website. AASL has made
it easy for librarians and their advocates to tell the story of the countless
ways school libraries impact learning.
Do
you have plans for SLM? Bulletin boards? Celebrations? Proclamations? Special teaching/learning activities?
Collaborative projects with your PTA/PTO? Tweet your ideas to @TxASL to share
with other school librarians across the state! Also
tweet your successes through social media to anyone who will listen - on your
campus or in your district. Use SLM to get folks talking about the great things
happening at your library!
