As I wrap up my year as GLMA President and move into the
position as Past-President, I am going to take on the
duties of the GLMA Communications Chair which includes
the editor of the online newsletter. In my position as GLMA President I have
had the honor of traveling and representing the organization in different capacities
at a variety of events. Below are the highlights. I have included a website
after each for further information. Feel free to contact me if you have further
questions, suggestions, or comments on any of these or other GLMA related events
and issues.
Georgia Library Day at the Capital— Atlanta,
Georgia
January 24, 2006 is this year’s Library Day at
the Capital. Read Millicent Norman’s (Government
Relations Chair) article on the GLMA Legislative priorities
for this year. GLMA has been very successful in the past
with the help of the GLMA Lobbyist, Lasa Joiner and her
staff, and the previous GLMA Government Relations Chair,
Pat Pickard, in staying informed of the issues that affect
Georgia Library Media Programs. Make plans now to attend
this important day. www.glma-inc.org
GLMA Summer Leadership Camp— Macon, Georgia
The GLMA Summer Leadership Camp has been a highlight of
June for many years under the capable guidance of Cindy
Thompson, GLMA Organizational Maintenance Chair. She handed
the reigns over to Lynn Strickland this year. Read his
article about this year’s Summer Institute and make
plans now to attend this informative event in 2006. www.glma-inc.org
ALA Conference— Orlando, Florida
I attended my first ALA conference in Orlando. I was amazed
at the huge exhibit area of library related products and
services. While there I attended the AASL state affiliate
gathering with Millicent Drake Norman, GLMA President 2004.
One of the highlights was sitting in during the Quick Picks
for Reluctant Young Adult Readers committee meeting. The
choosing of these award-winning books is an interesting
process. I attended the Michael L. Printz Award reception
and heard the winning author, Angela Johnson, and the honor
authors speak. All library media specialists should try
to get to at least one of these conferences during their
career. www.ala.org
Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program
I applied for this all-expense-paid study tour of Japan
and was excited to actually be chosen along with five other
Georgia teachers to be included on the November 2004 trip.
Sherry Grove, GLMA District Chair and Merita Ott, GLMA
member, applied and were accepted for the November 2005
study tour. I hope that Georgia Library Media Specialists
will continue to apply and be represented on this wonderful
opportunity to experience the Japanese culture, people,
and educational system. www.fulbrightmemorialfund.jp
www.iie.org/fmf
National Board Certification
This intense process was is rewarding professionally.
I found out that I had passed my National Boards while
in Japan (November 19 at 3 AM). Some of the rules have
changed for Georgia, but if there is an opportunity to
pursue National Board Certification it would be well worth
the time and effort. Rebecca Amerson, GLMA Treasurer, and
I traveled the NBCT road together. A big “Thank You” to
her. Find a mentor, buddy, friend, group to help make this
goal attainable. There are many different avenues towards
finding success in this process so use your information
skills in searching them out. Join the almost 100 Georgia
Library Media Specialists who are now recognized as National
Board Certified Teachers. www.nbpts.org
School Library Leadership Summit— New York
School Library Journal gathered leaders from across the
United States to discuss the current reality for school
librarians. I realized that even with the budget cuts and
other hurdles we face in Georgia that all-in-all we actually
have it better than many states. GLMA is very active during
the legislative season to protect school libraries from
further funding cutbacks. Pay attention to the legislative
alerts as they are issued. This national school library
summit was an eye-opening event. www.slj.com
Internet Safety for Students— New Zealand
I received a call from Sue Dowling, GBI Children’s
Internet Safety Coordinator, to see if GLMA was interested
in participating in a visit to New Zealand to take an in-depth
look at their Internet Safety Program. In June I traveled
with representatives from the Georgia Department of Education,
Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Tech, and a Georgia
Elementary School Principal to view and participate in
New Zealand’s NetSafe program. While there I was
able to visit many school libraries and one their national
school library headquarters. www.familyinternet.infowww.gaicac.us
Library of Congress— Washington DC
Nancy Bower (GLMA District Chair), Rebecca Amerson, and
I enjoyed learning about the LOC materials available for
use with instruction and developed lesson plans on Immigration.
Read Rebecca’s article on the Library of Congress
summer workshop. If you have the opportunity to attend
one of these and see the behind-the-scenes workings of
the LOC, it is definitely well worth it. www.loc.gov
AASL Conference— Pittsburgh
This was my first AASL conference. I roomed with Lynn
Strickland, GLMA Summer Institute Coordinator. Read Rosalind
Dennis’ (GLMA Secretary) article on the AASL conference.
Barbara Hallstrom (Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Coordinator)
exhibited the Georgia Reading Bowl model. The next AASL
conference will be in Reno, Nevada. If you have the chance
to attend this is one national conference that is totally
devoted to the school library program and your chosen profession
as a library media specialist. www.aasl.org
Georgia Council of Media Organizations Conference— Columbus,
Georgia
GLMA was the conference chair for the 2005 GaCOMO conference
in Columbus. As president I assumed the duties of leading
the conference committee. Thanks to the many who helped
to make the conference a great success. This annual conference
is in conjunction with the Georgia Library Association
and the Georgia Association of Instructional Technology.
Read Donna Milner’s (GLMA President-elect) article
on the 2005 GaCOMO conference. www.glma-inc.org
Thanks to all who have made my tenure as GLMA President
a success. Please continue to support GLMA with your membership
and participation. Donna Milner, GLMA President 2006, will
lead the organization capably and I wish her and the other
officers a tremendously successful year!
Cawood Cornelius
GLMA President 2005