SLS Weekly Update
January 22, 2021
Council meeting
If you were not able to make the Council meeting, there are some very important pieces that we need to take care of. The state requires that we submit Member plans from each school, signed by the librarian, principal and superintendent, by April 1st (once every 5 years and this is the one). I also have to submit a 5 Year Plan of Service to the state by April 1st. Council spent a lot of time on these on Tuesday. If you were not able to attend, PLEASE reach out to me so that we can set up a time to work on this together.
The survey for creating the new Plan of Service
Old SLMPE and New SLP pdfs on NYSED website
News Literacy Week Jan 25-29
The events of the last two weeks have shaken our nation to its foundation, and many educators are scrambling to address tough and divisive issues in the classroom that are occurring in real time. Uncertainty and anxiety are unavoidable, but NLP is here to support you.
Next week, we again team up with The E.W. Scripps Company for the second annual National News Literacy Week (Jan. 25-29) — which could not come at a more important moment in time. To kick things off, we’ve launched a national public awareness campaign that promotes news literacy and the role of the free press in American democracy and underscores the theme of the week — how to become NewsLit Fit. The campaign is part of a series of efforts to establish news literacy as a fundamental life skill and to provide educators, students and the public with the tools needed to be informed and empowered.
We are also excited to showcase a new and urgently needed Checkology lesson on “Conspiratorial Thinking” during National News Literacy Week. It teaches students how and why conspiracy theories develop, what makes them seem so compelling and how to avoid falling into their cognitive and emotional traps. Check out the preview!
We hope that you are excited to participate in National News Literacy Week. Here are several ways you can get involved:
- Visit NewsLiteracyWeek.org to test your “news literacy fitness” and take the pledge to become more news-literate.
- Join the conversation on social media at #NewsLiteracyWeek and help to amplify our messaging. Check out this social media sharing kit designed for educators.
- Monday, Jan. 25, 3 p.m. ET: Participate in a live Twitter chat with Ebonee Rice, NLP’s Vice President, Educator Network, and several of our NewsLit Nation ambassadors on at #NewsLiteracyWeek.
- Tuesday, Jan. 26, 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. ET: Attend our free, virtual NewsLitCamp with CNN Worldwide — a unique professional development experience. Register here.
- Wednesday, Jan. 27, 4 p.m. ET: Join us for an edWeb session, Avoiding the Rabbit Hole: How to Recognize and Understand Conspiratorial Thinking, with NLP’s education team. Register here.
Introducing NewsLit Nation
To highlight the critical role teachers play in the fight against misinformation and to achieve our goal of embedding news literacy in the American education experience, NLP is introducing NewsLit Nation: the virtual home of the News Literacy Educator Network. The NewsLit Nation community will encourage you and your fellow educators to learn from one another in a shared space, gain a sense of belonging, exchange best practices with others in the field and enjoy perks and incentives to support you in the classroom. The network will provide ongoing training via professional development opportunities and support through online forums and message boards. Join NewsLit Nation starting Monday, Jan. 25, at www.newslit.org (click the “For Educators” tab) as part of the kickoff to National News Literacy Week.
NewsLit Nation Speaks
Because we need your input to better understand your needs and to design materials that work best for you, please complete this brief anonymous survey about the civic impact of NLP resources. And when you do, we’ll enter you in a drawing for a $100 gift card. Survey will remain open until Feb. 16, 2021.
Professional development
NewsLitCamp® Feb. 5: Illinois educators, please join us on for a virtual, teacher-centered NewsLitCamp in partnership with the Chicago Public School Libraries. The day will feature breakout sessions with journalists from Block Club Chicago, the Better Government Association, ProPublica Illinois, and more. Sign up today to reserve your seat.
These FREE programs are part of a series of NewsLitCamp events held in collaboration with a diverse group of news organizations around the country. If you are interested in a NewsLitCamp in your area, please feel free to let us know via this form.
Resources
TRUST ME Documentary and the importance of news literacy: Don’t forget, the TRUST ME documentary and classroom viewing guide are still available. The documentary delves into manipulation and misinformation by exploring human nature, information technology and how news and media literacy can engender trust. Use password “NLP-Teacher” to access the film. Our classroom viewing guide helps you use the film as a teaching tool and can be adapted to your needs. You can find the registration link, and more information on Page 7 of the viewing guide.
Register for Office Hours — held the last Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. PT/ 4:30 p.m. ET — for tips and updates on using our Checkology® e-learning platform and to get answers to your questions. This month’s topic is News Literacy: How Librarians and Media Specialists use Checkology with Students. Come and learn from NLP ambassadors K.C. Boyd (Washington, D.C.), Cathy Collins (Boston) and Samantha Solomon (Bay Area) during this special edition of the Office Hours series.
Best regards,
Ebonee Rice
Vice President, Educator Network
LJ and SLJ Equity in Action: Fostering an Antiracist Library Culture
Join us for our online Equity in Action: Fostering an Antiracist Library Culture course starting February 23 and learn how to transform your library services to better meet the needs of your users—and bring in new ones. Over three weeks, you’ll hear from library leaders about the actions they’re taking to make their libraries antiracist and learn the tools that make it possible. You’ll complete assignments to build your own equity-based initiative in an interactive online classroom environment with personal coaching from an expert in the field. The speaker program runs on February 23, March 2, and March 9, 2:00-4:00 pm ET (recordings available) with an ongoing workshop over three weeks. Learn more about our keynote speakers below.
Register before January 31 and save 15%
Opening Keynote on Tuesday, February 23 | 2:15-3:00PM ET Speaker:
Making Implicit Biases Explicit
Serving diverse and marginalized populations is rewarding but complicated work. Among the barriers to inclusive service is implicit bias. It is important for information professionals to examine and acknowledge their own privileges and biases and recognize their role in creating and sustaining a welcoming environment in the library for every person who seeks access to the library’s materials, services, programs, and spaces. In this session, you'll unpack the concept of implicit bias, as well as the closely related concepts of stereotypes, microaggressions, and cultural competence, and walk away with ideas for how to use this deeper understanding to enhance your critical information practice.
Nicole A. Cooke, PhD, MEd, MLS, Augusta Baker Endowed Chair and Associate Professor, School of Library and Information Science, College of Information and Communications, University of South Carolina Closing Keynote on Tuesday, March 9 | 3:30-4:15PM ET Speaker:
Anti-Oppression, Allyship, and Emotional Labor
Librarians committed to building strong and diverse collections and programs may wonder what else they can do to be positive agents of change in their communities. While there is far more than can be and is being done than we can cover in a single session, we’ll look at what it means to be an “ally,” how librarians can strive for social justice in their spheres of influence, and make space for marginalized voices and viewpoints. Anastasia Collins, librarian at Simmons College, will explore the experience of emotional labor and offer ways that diverse coalitions of professionals and advocates can support each other's efforts in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Anastasia Collins, Research & Instruction Librarian at Simmons University Library
All sessions will be available to you “on-demand” following the initial broadcast. Group rates are available. Please contact us at libraryjournal@edmaker.co to learn more about our discounted rates.
Send your team and increase your impact!
TeachingBooks Virtual Teaching Ideas January 2021
Explore resources for jumping-off points that deepen discussions, inspire reading interest, and support virtual connections to books and authors. Easily share and include in your instructional plans, newsletters, and social media.
Don't forget to explore our newly added February Timely Topics.
For more, see all of our Virtual Teaching Ideas.
Best Wishes,
The TeachingBooks Implementation Team
Why Diverse Books Matter FREE Webinar from SCLRC
Upcoming Webinar: Why Diverse Books Matter
Webinar Description: During this session, Dr. Aronson will share her research and thinking about why racially/culturally diverse books matter, including her research on this topic. She will also share information about the Diverse BookFinder and its Collection Analysis Tool (CAT) and be available to answer questions about how to utilize CAT reports to enhance collection development. About the Presenter: Krista is an Associate Dean of Faculty and Professor of Psychology at Bates College. Her scholarship focuses on illuminating how people come to understand complex social constructs like race and ethnicity, including how children process and understand race as well as appropriate, effective and productive ways to discuss this topic with them; specifically, the effective use of picture books to enhance intercultural relationships and self-understanding during childhood. Her own identity as a biracial woman deeply informs her work. The Diverse BookFinder and associated work are the focus of her active research, which represents a substantial portion of the professional effort of faculty at Bates.
Newsbank New Database- Black Life in America- Free 3 month trial
Hi all,
Newsbank has developed another database called Black Life in America. They have offered us a 3 month trial. I encourage you to check it out and share with your staff as you see the fit for them.
- Comprehensive coverage of the African American experience from the early 18th century to the present day
- Sourced from more than 19,000 American and global news sources, including over 400 current and historical Black publications
- An easy-to-use online resource—updated daily—for every institution working toward social justice and racial equity
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/easy-search?p=AAHX
Schools should be able to click on the link and use their normal Newsbank password assigned to get into the preview. Please let me know if the link does not work for you.
Please let me know if you are interested in a webinar for training.
See attached informational PDF
ALA Media Literacy FREE Guide and webinar series
Are you concerned about media literacy in your community?
“Media Literacy in the Library: A Guide for Library Practitioners" contains information, program ideas and conversation starters on topics like misinformation and disinformation; architecture of the internet; civics; media landscape and economics; and media creation and engagement. The 30-page guide also explores ways to “meet patrons where they are” by integrating media literacy into reference interactions and existing programs. Download the guide for free here.
A series of one-hour webinars will explore concepts from the guide. Led by project advisors, the webinars are free for all library workers. View a full list of the free webinars and register now!
ALA and Dollar General Store Grant
Applications close on Friday, January 29.
The American Library Association and Dollar General Literacy Foundation invite public libraries to apply for grants to expand services for adult English language learners or adults in need of basic education and workforce development. Up to 16 grants of $5,000 each will be awarded. Public libraries are eligible if they serve adult English language learners and are located within 20 miles of a Dollar General Store, distribution center or corporate office. Visit the Dollar General Store Locator.
Read the project guidelines and apply online by Friday, January 29, 2021.
View a webinar on how to apply.
The American Dream Literacy Initiative strives to develop tools and resources for libraries and library staff to provide effective literacy services to adult English language learners in their communities and across the country.
The grants allow libraries to augment their print and digital English as a second language (ESL) collections; increase computer access and training; provide job training; hold English language learning (ELL), general educational development (GED) and citizenship classes; and raise the visibility of services for immigrant populations. American Dream libraries build replicable programs, develop coalition-building strategies, and provide annotated lists of vetted resources for libraries across the country.
The American Dream Literacy Initiative is made possible through the generous support of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. It is administered by ALA’s Public Programs Office and Office for Diversity.
Cayuga Onondaga BOCES SLS
Email: psweeney@cayboces.org
Website: https://www.cayboces.org/domain/28
Location: 15 Eagle Drive, Auburn, NY, USA
Phone: (315) 255-7609
Twitter: @plsweeney1