In this article, the author reflects on the accomplishments made by American Association of School Librarians (AASL) this year. Some of the AASL's accomplishments include: (1) the launch of its first-ever Digital Institute; (2) the release of the first-year results of the "School Libraries Count!" longitudinal study and the initiation of the…

Whether it is a small group who shows up at school board meetings to defend a program cut or a group of parents who, via website, blog, e-mail, phone calls, and visits, challenge a state legislature to provide funding for school library programs and resources, parents are the strongest advocates for school library programs, writes the President of…

In this article, the author discusses the new "AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner"--a map for student learning. The new standards focus on the learner. They outline the content and process that students need to learn now and will need in the future, a process taught through the school library program by a school library teacher. The…

"When you start your new job as a school librarian, one of the first steps you must take is to ask to see the district's book selection policy. If there isn't one, write one. Right away. It protects you, the teachers, and the district." That advice was part of the author's school library administration course at the School of Library and…

School librarians work with people of all ages, abilities, and personalities; those people are the puzzle pieces that make advocacy for libraries effective. School librarians contribute to and use the resources of their state and national organizations' advocacy efforts. The completed picture of the puzzle is an excellent program with…