What Does It Take to Get You Involved?
For some people you only need to suggest that a problem
exists and they roll up their sleeves and tackle it with
gusto. For others they want to wait a while and see if
someone else has a good answer to the problem. When none
appears they will whole-heartedly go forth to solve the
problem. Then there are those who must experience a personal
tragedy related to the problem before they will get involved.
Their fervor becomes a crusade. For some it takes an act
of authority to move them to assist in any way with solving
the problem. They usually withdraw their support as soon
as the authority looks the other way. So what does it take
to get you involved?
Georgia Library Media Specialists are involved in a complex,
information problem at this time. Here’s a little
of the history.
The state of Georgia Department of Education with the
blessings of the Georgia Legislature has set forth a new
curriculum for Georgia. The entire focus and resources
of the state are being brought to ensure that this curriculum
is taught to and mastered by the students of Georgia. We
have long stated in our state meetings that student achievement
is the bottom line. Georgia is moving forward to ensure
that that is true in our state. They are working hard to
make sure that no child and no teacher is left behind.
That’s where the problem starts. Are Library Media
Specialists teachers? Before you start trying to justify
why we are teachers, let’s consider some questions.
Are the lessons which you teach to individuals, small groups
and whole classes based on the new Georgia Performance
Standards(GPS)? Have you evaluated your collection to see
how well it supports the new standards that classroom teachers
must teach? Are you well-versed in the new “best
practices” that teachers are being required to use
in the classroom? Are you using technology to its fullest
potential to provide information services to your school’s
community and teaching others to do the same? If you can
document positive examples to support a yes answer to each
of these questions, then I doubt that anyone in your community
will question that you are a teacher. If you can not, then
you are evidence for the naysayers who say that SLMS are
not teachers. This then brings us to our information problem.
What can School Library Media Specialists do in their
individual schools to prove that they are teachers and
do affect student achievement?
GLMA has started a blog to allow you to express your ideas
on this subject and to express your ideas on how we can
effectively utilize the GPS in our activities with students.
To access the blog, go to www.glma.worpress.com .
You will not need to login in order to post a comment.
If you have a file you would like to share with others,
please email it to Michelle Rivera at michellerivera@georgiasouthern.edu and
she will be happy to upload it for you.
The first step to solving any information problem is
to correctly identify the problem and the possible alternatives
to solving it. Then formulate a plan to reach the solution.
Please roll up your sleeves and join us in this most important
cause as it may well determine the future of Media Specialists
in Georgia.
Greetings from Rosalind Dennis
President-elect
On June 6-7, excitement filled the air as participants
engaged in dialogue with session leaders and colleagues
at the annual GLMA Summer Institute. 115 library media
specialists (LMSs) gathered from around the state at Macon
State College to attend concurrent sessions that included
GPS, Library Advocacy, GALILEO, Orientation Tips, DOE Update,
GPB Videostreaming, and Special Interest sessions (District
Chairs, LMSOTY Committee). To members who attended the
two-day institute, thank you for your willingness to participate
and share in discussions on library practices and procedures.
It was particularly exciting to observe those new to the
profession as they passionately expressed their opinions
to the veteran LMSs. A sincere thanks you to our presenters
for very informative presentations and handouts. A special
thank you to Lynn Strickland, Summer Institute Coordinator,
who worked untiringly to coordinate the entire event, and
to Donna Milner, our hardworking and dedicated President,
who worked closely with Lynn to plan and implement program
activities.
As the end of summer break approaches, I encourage you
to begin to think about the new school year and what you
want your library program to be. It is more important now
than ever that we communicate our roles as educators who
can increase student achievement. Advocacy is not an option;
it should be a necessary component in every library media
program.
GLMA is your professional organization, and I encourage
you to be an active part of it. Encourage other LMSs in
your district who have not joined GLMA, to join our professional
organization. Working together we can make a difference,
and it takes all of us working together to achieve our
goals.
Best wishes for a rewarding school year. I look forward
to seeing you in September at GaCOMO in Athens.