PSLA Legislators@your Library Campaign

Kachel, Debra, Teacher Librarian

TEACHER-LIBRARIANS NEED TO INFORM LEGISLATORS ABOUT THE CRITICAL INSTRUCTIONAL ROLE SCHOOL LIBRARY PROGRAMS PLAY IN EDUCATING STUDENTS. THEY SHOULD WANT TO ELIMINATE THE STEREOTYPICAL "KEEPER OF THE BOOKS" IMAGE. EVERYONE KNOWS LEGISLATORS WANT TO INCREASE THEIR VISIBILITY AMONG THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND APPRECIATE EVENTS THAT GUARANTEE A PHOTO OP AND MAYBE AN ARTICLE IN THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER, WHAT BETTER WAY TO ACHIEVE BOTH GOALS THAN TO ORGANIZE LEGISLATOR VISITS TO YOUR LIBRARY? MAKING THE LEGISLATOR AWARE OF OUR ISSUES GOES A LONG WAY TO PRESERVE TEACHER-LIBRARIAN JOBS.

During spring 2008, members or the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association (PSLA) Legislation Committee had historic success in getting language in two educational funding acts that specifically allow funds to be used for school library resources, staffing, and extended hours. (1)

Knowing that most legislators were engaged in reelection campaigns or helping their party ramp up for the November 2008 Presidential election, PSLA's Legislation Committee strategized "what's next?" We knew that legislators maintain busy schedules but the high priority was getting their "face out there" to constantly remind the public who they were and …

Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information: Article title: PSLA Legislators@your Library Campaign. Contributors: Kachel, Debra - Author. Magazine title: Teacher Librarian. Volume: 36. Issue: 2 Publication date: December 2008. Page number: 15+. © 2008 Scarecrow Press, Inc. COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale Group.

This material is protected by copyright and, with the exception of fair use, may not be further copied, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means.