News for PA School Librarians
Volume 7, Number 3-- January 2024
Connect, Communicate, Create Community
Welcome to the News. Our goal is to connect, communicate, and create community for school librarians in Pennsylvania.
IN THIS ISSUE: WHY SHOULD I BECOME A PSLA MEMBER?
NOT THE RIGHT TIME TO BECOME A MEMBER? NO PROBLEM..THE NEWS is for EVERY PA SCHOOL LIBRARIAN! READ ON!
THE BENEFITS of a PSLA MEMBERSHIP
A PSLA Membership costs $60/year. It is a little more than $1/week. What a BARGAIN!
Here is what you receive for being a Pennsylvania School Librarian Association MEMBER:
- Discounted Conference Rate-Everyone knows that..BUT there is so much more than this once a year offering
- Exclusive Emails at the beginning of every month (First Fridays)
- Unlimited Professional Development Opportunities with Act 48 credits
- Network with school librarians across the state
- Belong to the PSLA Listserv and receive HELP instantly..Need a resource? It can be found immediately--We see this happen every day!
These are only a few of the MANY BENEFITS that our organization offers.
Our Association is celebrating its 50th Conference (April 11-13). We are a strong organization with dedicated volunteers who continue to strive to ensure excellence in our school library programs. However, we know we can only be as strong as our Membership!
WE WANT YOU to help us maintain this excellence.
Read On and consider becoming a member of the PA School Librarians Association!
ONE BOOK, ONE ASSOCIATION is BACK!
Exclusively for PSLA Members!
RECEIVE A FREE COPY of When You Wonder, You're Learning: Mister Rogers' Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids by Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski
A great example of a Members Only event is our book club. PSLA is awarded a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant each year. These funds will be used for The One Book, One Association book club as a means to CREATE COMMUNITY,.
THREE (3) VIRTUAL MEETINGS: Wednesday, March 13; Wednesday, March 20; Wednesday, March 27
How can you become a PSLA Member? Click Here: Join/Renew Your Membership
SIGN UP BY FEB. 9 for the One Book, One Association event: ONE BOOK 2024
Learn More about the book From the Publisher:
JOIN US and REIGNITE your WONDER and SPARK your CURIOSITY!
What can a PSLA Membership Do for Me?
2024 Maximizing Your PSLA Membership
FOR CURRENT and PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS!
JOIN US on February 8, 2024 at 7PM and learn how to get the most out of your PSLA membership!
During this webinar you will learn how to access events, find contact information, post listserv emails, join PSLA groups, and learn ways to be more involved.
Stay Updated on Current Events and Practices
First Fridays
Have you noticed a NEW email on the FIRST FRIDAY of every month? Our Communications Committee has been working hard to keep our school librarians in the know. The First Friday emails contain information about the following:
- PSLA events
- Committee Work
- Lit Reviews from our Teaching & Learning Committee
- Library Resources to help you with your students and staff
- PSLA Affiliates
This is another MEMBER ONLY PERK! "Join Now so you can be in the know"
PSLA Intellectual Freedom Task Group is here to help
New School Board Members in your district?
The Intellectual Freedom Task Group works with ALL PA SCHOOL LIBRARIANS!
If your school district has new school board members - they might be considering implementing new Selection Policies for school libraries, editing existing policies or possibly even rolling back recently revised policies.
If you foresee ANY changes to your board approved Selection Policies, Challenge procedures OR Administrative Regulations to selecting and purchasing resources, the PSLA Intellectual Freedom Task Group is here to help!
Email: pslaintellectualfreedom@gmail.com We have exemplary policies and procedures and can help you navigate changes as well as gather community support! All shared information is confidential.
Free People Read Freely
Check out our WEBSITE for more information!
50th Anniversary 2024 PSLA Conference
Get ready for a momentous occasion! We're thrilled to invite you to our 50th anniversary conference, a celebration of five decades of dedication, innovation, and passion in school librarianship. Join us for a couple days filled with learning, sharing, and connecting (plus a few anniversary surprises!) with fellow librarians from across the state at Kalahari Resorts in the Poconos!
Here's what you can look forward to:
Amanda Jones as our keynote speaker and Mike Curato as our keynote author; renowned authors; engaging workshops and sessions; networking opportunities; exhibits and giveaways; and so many 50th anniversary celebrations!
Don't miss this chance to be a part of history! Register today and save your spot at this unforgettable event.
Early bird registration for MEMBERS and NON-MEMBERS is now open!
Register by Feb 27 to get the best rates.
We can't wait to see you there!
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
The Snapdragon Book Foundation (https://snapdragonbookfoundation.org/) is accepting applications for library books with processing due by end of day February 11.
FAQs at https://snapdragonbookfoundation.org/faq/
Application at https://snapdragonbookfoundation.org/2024-application/.
Depending on the funds the Foundation has to distribute, grants typically range from $2,500 to $10,000.
Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is thrilled to share that our annual Matching Grant program is returning, enabling RIF to help double the impact you make on children's literacy within your community. RIF will be accepting grant applications for our 2024 Matching Grant program from January 29th through February 29th, 2024.
Informational Webinar (FEB 1): REGISTER HERE
You can apply for any grant amount; however, RIF expects that the average award will be between $5,000 and $15,000. Please note that RIF cannot guarantee that all applicants will receive a grant, and we reserve the right to award a lower level than was requested after reviewing applications. Grant awards are anticipated to be announced the last week of March 2024.
CONTACT YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR
Let your voice be heard!
Use the “one pagers” for PA Representatives and Senators. They are updated and ready to go (special thank you to Deb Kachel!).
Have you located your legislators and subscribed to their mailing lists?
Consider scheduling a visit, or stop by one of their scheduled events, to drop off a Valentine’s Day / “Love Your Library” card with a P.S. to co-sponsor HB 640 and/or SB 610!
These bills are stalled in committee and we really need our legislators' support to bring attention to them!
Governor's Advisory Council on Library Development: Meeting
The Governor’s Advisory Council on Library Development will hold a virtual business meeting on Thursday, February 1, from 10AM until 12PM. The meeting is open to the public.
Those interested in attending are required to pre-register here: https://forms.office.com/g/kw3tv0JkWK
The agenda for the meeting is available here: https://www.statelibrary.pa.gov/Libraries/LawsRegulations/GovernmentAdvisory/Pages/Meeting-Dates-and-Minutes.aspx
All are welcome!
Be the Next PSLA Spotlight Librarian
Be the Next PSLA Spotlight Librarian!
Are you innovative and creative? Is your library welcoming and engaging?
Do you love sharing what's happening with your community?
Then, consider being a PSLA Featured Librarian.
Each month PSLA Communications hands over their Twitter or Instagram to the featured librarian to highlight all of the awesomeness happening in PA School Libraries.
If you're interested in being a featured librarian, please contact ecommunications@psla.org.
Thank you, Candice, for your January Takeover! If you missed Candice, head to our social media and grab some inspirational ideas.
Our NEXT Spotlight Librarian will be Danielle Corrao! We can't wait to see what AWESOME teaching and learning is happening in her school library.
PSLA is on Instagram!
Be sure to follow us at @PSLA_News and like our posts, share to your stories and save all of the great school library ideas you see!
MISSING OUT ON THE NEWS? PSLA EVENTS?
We have noticed that some emails are being blocked. Have you considered changing your primary address to your private email? Be sure to whitelist our corresponding addresses or check your Spam folders: (pslaboard@psla.org and psla@memberclicks-mail.net).
Be sure to pass along The News to other school librarians in your school district, region, and IU.
The News is intended to reach EVERY PA School Librarian regardless if you are a PSLA member... although we'd love you to join us!
Access Pennsylvania News - Discover Layer Beta-Testers Needed
EBSCO Discovery Service Implementation Beta-Testers Needed!
Search the e-book collections and many of the e-resources in POWER Library simultaneously? That's correct! We are working to implement a discovery service for POWER Library that will simultaneously search POWER's subscription e-resources, and are pleased to report that work has been moving along. We will be ready to share additional details and previews in February, and would love your feedback. We would love to have your assistance!
Do you have 1 hour you can offer to provide us with feedback on the site design?
ALA Project Look Sharp Course
As a benefit of AASL's partnership with Project Look Sharp on the IMLS project ML3: Librarians as Leaders for Media Literacy, K-12 school librarians are eligible for the complimentary online course "Empowering All Students Through Media Decoding." This 9-week self-paced course is designed to teach school librarians how to lead effective media decoding with students and colleagues. The course begins March 7 and those who complete the course will earn 15 hours of PD (which may be eligible for CTLEs or the equivalent) and a letter to their principal or superintendent about the training. To apply, email looksharp@ithaca.edu.
Get Involved with PSLA
PSLA Members Benefits Survey
How can PSLA better help you? Send us some quick feedback through the linked Members Benefits Survey - open to nonmembers and members alike. Please be aware that PSLA advocates for all school librarians across the state regardless of membership status. Thank you for helping the Association grow and develop.
PSLA Calendar
Join one of the 4 regional affiliates
PSLA has four regional affiliates, all of which provide valuable professional development for school librarians. Information about how to join and upcoming events can be found on their websites:
- Beaver County Association of School Librarians (BCASL): http://bcaslpa.weebly.com/
- Lancaster/Lebanon School Librarians Association (LLSLA): https://llsla.weebly.com/
- Western Pennsylvania School Librarians Association (WPSLA): http://www.wpsla.net/
- Westmoreland County Association of School Librarians (WCASL): https://sites.google.com/view/wcasl/home
Are you interested in starting an affiliate around you? If you meet with other librarians in your area a couple of times a year, and most are members of PSLA, you could become an affiliate. Visit this site for more information https://www.psla.org/local-affiliates
Want more of The News?
Do you want to be the point person for your school district? Please complete this short google form to be the contact person for your district and distribute The News to your library team! https://forms.gle/t4RQq2BhyPzDA84eA
News archive available
Do you have news for The News?
PSLA Steering Group
- Aimee Emerson, PSLA Immediate Past President
- Yvonne English Roebuck, LSTA Project Director
- Leah Lindemann, PSLA President
- Catherine Horan, PSLA Board Member
- Anne Bozievich, PSLA Member
- Sarah DeMaria, PSLA President-Elect
This project is made possible in part by Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Governor, Josh Shapiro.
The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed do not necessarily represent those of the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services or the Department of Education, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.