Alabama Library Media Update
August 2019 Back-to-School Edition
Library Enhancement Funding - Update & Information
School Library Enhancement Allocation
If you have not heard, libraries will be receiving $157.72 per state funded teacher unit for fiscal year 2020!
Budget Committees & Expenditures I encourage you to advocate for the library’s needs to your colleagues to ensure your voice is heard. Also, lobby to be on your school’s budget committee to help ensure the needs of the school are met through the approved expenditures for the library enhancement funds.
Additional Library Funding (One-Time Allocation/Infusion) In addition to the typical money you will receive, each system/district will also receive a portion of the $6M one-time allocation for library enhancement that will be divided per pupil, which comes out to about $8.25 per student. I have been told these funds will be up to the discretion of the system to allocate these funds as necessary for the enhancement of library media programs. The allocation is to follow the same guidelines as far as expenditures as outlined in the Administrative Code. Yet again, I suggest you speak with your library media contact/supervisor at the district level to have the needs of the school library be heard.
Quick Note & Welcome Back!
Welcome back to school!
Many of you I have had the chance to visit over the summer or over the last week during professional development. I am excited for the opportunity to visit more library media specialists across the state to provide not only professional development but also advocacy and support at the state level.
Remember to always view yourself as the professional that you are as the library media specialist. I have said this many times over the summer:
Do not refer to yourself as “JUST” the librarian. Drop the just, embrace the instructional expertise, knowledge, and skills you bring to the table to positively impact student success.
There are (typically) only three people in a school building required to have an advanced degree and certification: administrators, counselors, and library media specialists. Embrace the opportunity to step out and lead.
Advocate everyday. Advocate for the students in your school to have access to information, learning experiences, and an inclusive space - the library!
If you have new library media specialists in your district, please forward this newsletter to them! Also, if you have a new library media coordinator/contact at the central office, please forward this newsletter along. It would be greatly appreciated.
NEW LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALISTS - Use the following Google Form to ensure your email is on the mailing list (even if you are new to your system!)
Herman Moore Outstanding Library Media Specialist Award
Administrators should be receiving communication concerning nominating deserving library media specialists for the Herman Moore award.
The Alabama Library Expo annually recognizes outstanding Librarians who have made considerable contributions to Alabama libraries over an extended period of time. If you would like to nominate the librarian or media specialist in your school for this recognition access our on-line form via the link on our web site:
http://www.alabamalibraryexpo.com/lamp_awards
Please submit your nomination by Saturday, August 31, 2019. Additionally, feel free to forward the link to our form to other supervising personnel within your school or school district who may be interested in making a nomination.
If you would like more information, visit the website or contact David Burrow.
Submit any shout outs, events, photos, etc to cdillard@alsde.edu to be featured in the next newsletter shout outs. I will share both August & September shout outs and spotlights in the September newsletter
First Fridays returning in September!
First Fridays will be back in September. The September newsletter will include information regarding the First Friday session(s) available.
Alabama Library Expo 2019 - September 23 - 26
Visit https://www.alabamalibraryexpo.com/ for more information and registration.
FREE Professional Development opportunity for librarians - authors & vendors.
Tuesday, September 24 - Taylor Road Baptist Church
Wednesday, September 25 - Bessemer Civic Center
Thursday, September 26 - Calhoun Community College
Reach out to Legislators
I encourage you to reach out to contact community leaders and legislators to invite them into your library. Contact them - even on social media - with photos of materials you've been able to acquire in part to the increased funding. It's important these individuals see what our schools need in addition to the positive impact school libraries are making on student success.
Cristin M. Dillard, Education Specialist for Library Media
Also, don't forget to send in shout outs and publicity to be included. Alabama School Libraries are amazing with many great events, instruction, and projects going on. I would love to share that with others.
Email: cdillard@aslde.edu
Website: http://bit.ly/ALMO1
Phone: 334.694.4768
Twitter: @Mrs_Dilly