Bookmark
November 2019
November President's Message
NJASL Members,
Chills and thrills - that’s what I felt when Iveth Mollinedo first showed me her NJEA commercial. Iveth visited our NJASL booth at the NJEA Convention to show me the video - I was moved to tears. If you haven’t seen the videos featuring Iveth and Dee Venuto, I encourage you to stop what you are doing (well, after you finish reading Bookmark) and head to the NJASL website to see them. The commercials were the spectacular culmination of over a year’s worth of dreaming and planning. Our President-Elect, Beth Thomas, saw the School Nurses commercial and asked why school librarians couldn’t have something like it. It turns out they could! Beth and current Past-President Christina Cucci began brainstorming, and with a helpful introduction to Sean Spiller by Tara Weiss-Cooper, an idea and hope became a reality.
The NJEA/NJASL campaign represents the best of us. Collaboration, support, and advocacy - that’s what gets things done. While Iveth and Dee are the faces of NJASL in this campaign, they stand for all of us. They exhibit how so many of us feel about our role and the hard work we are doing on behalf of our students. So many NJASL members were willing to share the magic that’s happening in their libraries, and we don’t want to lose that momentum. Throughout the year, we will be finding other ways for our members to showcase their best practices. We hope you will consider sharing yours. The most dynamic place to find out what’s happening across New Jersey’s school libraries is at our Fall Conference, meeting in just a few days. We are looking forward to seeing you there!
Jill Mills
President of NJASL 2019-2020
Important News and Information
Better Together NJASL Fall 2019
Time to Shop!
IMPORTANT: Attention ALL MEMBERS
Members-
NJASL's mailing address has changed. Please send our new address to your business office so that your purchase orders for membership and conference are sent to the correct location.
Time to Renew Your NJASL Membership!
NJASL membership runs from August 1 through July 31 each year. Don't forget to renew! If your school district purchases your membership, consider submitting your requisition before the end of this school year to keep your membership active and be ready to register for the Fall conference at the member rate. You can register with a credit card or PayPal using the online application here: https://njasl.org/page-1863117
Or you can print and submit your application with a purchase order or check: https://njasl.org/page-1863125
Support the organization dedicated to providing you with relevant professional development resources and programs and advocating for every New Jersey student to have access to school librarians and school library services.
Mary Lewis
NJASL Membership Committee Chair
JOB OPENINGS!!!
NJASL Advocacy
PR for All
by Pat Massey
By the time this is published, Thanksgiving 2019 will be over but it’s never too late to be thankful for our partnerships with a number of organizations that include the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), the NJ Department of Education (NJDOE), the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), the Association for Educational Communications & Technology (AECT), the NJ Library Association (NJLA), and NJ Education Association (NJEA). Have you seen the recent videos that were created with NJEA? Check out videos with SLMS Dee Venuto and Iveth Mollinedo and please share them.
NJASL is working hard to promote professionally staffed school libraries for every student in New Jersey and a great deal of information and inspiration will be shared during our annual conference that is quickly approaching. This year the conference will be held at the East Brunswick Hilton and the theme is “Better Together.” Hope to see you there December 9 - 10, 2019.
NJASL Legislative Highlights
- Mary Moyer Stubbs
Legislative Highlights -
November 2019 Bookmark
NJASL Advocacy Efforts
Ongoing Advocacy
Promoting Your School Library Program through Social Media
One way to generate advocacy for your school library is through social media. Just remember to
tag NJASL @NJASL and use the Hashtags #njasladvocacy #necessitynotaluxury. This will allow NJASL to retweet and like your posts.
Eliminated Positions - Other Districts
NJASL needs your help! If you know of a New Jersey school system lacking a certified School Library Media Specialist or a librarian that is planning to retire in the near future, please fill out this form. Link: https://goo.gl/forms/8BvCemOY6f9zZuI33
Not sure what constitutes a "certified" school librarian? click here
NJEA Convention Update
President Jill Mills attended the State Board of Education and the Commissioner of Education session at the NJEA Convention and was able to ask the following question:
2019 Question for Commissioner of Education and State Board of Education
At last year’s NJEA Convention, NJASL asked what the State Board of Education and the Department of Education could do to strengthen the administrative code and regulations related to school library media specialists. At this time, school districts are still viewing school librarians as an expendable budget item and eliminating those positions, while looking for ways to circumvent the QSAC requirement for school library services. Equity is a term that is used frequently by Department of Education and State Board of Education members. However, where is the equity when it comes to a school library services? Some students have little or no access to state-certified school library media specialists, although the research is clear that students who have access to library resources and to certified school library media specialists have increased academic achievement including better ELA scores on standardized tests and success in their post-secondary life. Again, what the State Board of Education and the Department of Education do to strengthen the administrative code and regulations related to school library media specialists leading to equity of access and equity of experience for ALL students in NJ?
Response from Commissioner of Education and SBOE Members:
SBOE Members affirmed their support for school libraries
Commissioner Repollet spoke about the landscape analysis of certification and reviewing the role of SLMS. At the end of their remarks. NJEA Vice President Sean Spiller asked NJASL President, Jill Mills what her specific request was and she was quickly replied. Her reply: "NJASL is asking to have a school library media specialist in every school." Her response was perfect and spot-on!
Follow-Up: At the conclusion of the event, Jill Mills was able to have a few minutes with the Commissioner Repollet and he indicated that the DOE was willing to discuss the roles of SLMS with NJASL so that SLMS positions could not continue to be eliminated and that he would like to be included in that discussion. Possible meeting with Rani Singh, Director of Certification and Induction and Diana Pascuilli, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Assessment.
Meet Jacquelyn Tasker, our new NJASL Student Affiliate
Attending the annual conference as a student was one of the highlights of my preparation to become a school librarian. Like many of you, I left feeling energized and excited about what I planned to accomplish in the future. My involvement in NJASL, in county networking groups like the Morris County School Media Association, and in student groups like the Rutgers Association of School Librarians helped me make connections with other students and working media specialists. Those face-to-face connections were invaluable, as I was a busy online student who was also working full time and starting a family. Many school library preparation programs are hosted online, so we need to mobilize organizations like NJASL to include pre-service librarians in our community. Without networking and advocacy groups, I fear I would have felt isolated and detached from the realities of job searching and working as a school librarian. Without NJASL job postings, I would not have found my current job. And finally, without conversations with my field experience mentor and other librarians I met through MCSMA and RASL, I would not have felt as prepared for my job interviews or for teaching and running my library every day. As the Student Affiliate I want to help library students and recent graduates bridge the gap between their education and involvement in NJASL as working, successful school librarians. I look forward to meeting more of you and working with you this year!
Library News from YOU!
Check this out at the NJASL Conference!
For questions you can contact Mr Richter at peter.richter@wwrsd.org
Successful Collaboration with the PTO
Over the years, I have worked in schools with a PTO and without one. I have learned through this that having a PTO is the best asset a library can have. My current district's PTO incorporates the entire district and is extremely active. I have become an asset to the PTO which also allows them to help me.
I volunteer to help at their events, offer guidance when they need it, and they know they can always count on me for support. Because I am willing to help them, they are more than happy to purchase books, volunteer their time, and help me in any way they know I need. I have learned that by saying “yes” when they ask for help has given the library more books and materials and help when I need it.
When I first started at this district, the Book Fair and the Holiday Bazaar were run by parents, who did an excellent job. When they decided to step down, I was asked if I could run it. I saw this as my opening and said yes, as long as there was a co-chair. I have been doing this for several years, and have improved the book fairs and the bazaar with the help of my co-chair. During this time parents come in to help the students shop and also to shop for their children. I use this time to learn about the parents and their families. When they come back for each event I make sure I follow up on our discussions and that they are doing well. This has led to parents giving the administration excellent feedback on what I do and how I do it.
As we all know, parents want what is best for their child. I take the chance at this time to ask what I can do to best help their child. The parents are always impressed with this question and are more than happy to tell the little things I might not know when I only see their child once a week for 40 minutes. The parents also tell me about events in the community and how I can reach out to other community groups to help them.
The PTO realizes through this collaboration what a librarian does and how we are there not just “for the books” as one parent said, but for the best for their child. Remember if the PTO asks you for help say yes, even if you don’t have time. It will be the best relationship you can make, and they will teach you what you need to know for the project you are helping with.
Professional Practice & Development
Save the Date!!
NJASL Spring Meeting: Building Our Community
Saturday, March 7
Hightstown High School, Hightstown NJ
Join us for a morning of practical takeaways and inspiration for elevating our school librarian community!
Saturday, Mar 7, 2020, 12:00 AM
Hightstown High School, Leshin Lane, Hightstown, NJ, USA
NJASL Affiliate News
The AASL Conference Take-Aways
by Hilda Weisburg
For two and a half days, 2,300 school librarians came to Louisville, Kentucky and immersed themselves in programs and exhibits all focused on what we do. This is what makes this conference so special. While I love the ALA Conferences (I am a conference junkie after all), this is the only national conference that’s all about us. Every book exhibitor, tech vendor, and program is aimed at us. Everything is relevant. The only challenge is what to choose.
I personally have two big over-all take-aways from the conference. The first is ways to embrace and deal with diversity. The second is how well the new (not so new anymore) AASL National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries connect and support all our roles.
Ellen Oh, the President and Co-founder of We Need More Diverse Books was the speaker at the opening Thursday General Session. Having diverse books develops empathy which is necessary for understanding those who are different from us. Books are one way to teach it. Some think having one book on a marginalized community (Disney’s Mulan) means you have taken care of diversity. That doesn’t begin to deal with the issue.
Her talk reinforced what I have been learning about Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors. Children need to see themselves reflected in books. And they need to see those who are different from them, so they develop tolerance and understanding and not think they are special. Too much of our diverse collections consist of the “Four F’s”: folklore, festivals, food, and fashion. Much of African American books are about slavery or the Civil Rights movement. Books for white kids reflect ordinary, daily life. Do your diverse books do that?
The speaker for the Friday General Session was the remarkable Dr. Adolph Brown III. A man who started at the bottom. He was raised by a single mother in an inner-city housing project. His older brother was murdered when Dr. Brown was 11. He spent summers with his grandfather, a rural farmer who only had 3 years of schooling but taught him much. He was the first in his family to graduate high school, and go to college, getting multiple degrees.
Dr. Brown ‘s big message was “anytime your brain deals with another human being, challenge your thinking. Confirmation bias kicks in.” He proved it, first by wandering around outside the exhibit area with dreadlocks and a long white smock. People asked him if he needed help. Security stopped him. Looking at him they decided he didn’t belong and acted accordingly – without evidence. His mission in life is to bring kindness into the world. We all need to do the same. It’s what makes the library a safe, welcoming space.
Our Friday the General Session speaker was Jarrett J. Krosoczka. He focused on graphic novels as being “real books.” He discussed other aspects of diversity, reminding us boys can read books about girls. If you think a book about a parent using drugs is inappropriate does that mean a kid with a drug-abusing parent is also inappropriate. What are you doing for that kid?
He also brought up the subject of author visits. When you look for someone, think of getting an author who looks like the marginalized kids in your community. It’s good for the kids who feel different, and important for the kids who don’t think about anyone who is not like them.
There was soooooo much more. There’s not enough space to begin to cover it. However you can go to this link to a Google doc that does an amazing job of capturing most of it.
Best Books of the Year!
Morris County School Library Media Specialists present
Best Books of the Year!
Wednesday, January 15 (Snow Date January 23) Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library 449 Halsey Road Parsippany, NJ 07054 (973)-887-5150
Meeting starts at 4:30 pm – Join us for snacks and conversation at 4:00pm!
Join us to hear the top book selections from the past year or so. The Children’s and Teen staff of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library System will present their picks in two concurrent sessions, one for elementary school staff and one for middle school and high school staff. After the presentations, you will have the chance to look over the books, and annotated booklists will be available for both sessions.
In the event of inclement weather, please call the library or check the website (www.parsippanylibrary.org) for closing information. If you are unable to attend the meeting and would like to receive the booklists, please send an email to rose.schulman@parsippanylibrary.org.
This meeting is free for members and $10 for nonmembers. You can join or renew your membership at the meeting. Professional development certificates will be available.
THANK YOU! Looking for submissions...
Don't forget that we are always looking for entries from ALL membership. Deadlines for the year are on the 15th of every month. Check out more information about our deadlines here. Please share articles with me at the bookmark@njasl.org email address by sharing a Google Document or PDF.
Check out more information about deadlines and submissions on the Smore linked below!!
NJASL
Email: bookmark@njasl.org
Website: njasl.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NJASL/
Twitter: @njasl