Our Beliefs

  • We believe an effective school library, led by a certified library media specialist, is an integral part of the learning community.

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  • We believe learners should be prepared for life beyond school, whether college or career.

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  • We believe literacy is at the core of personal and academic success.

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  • We believe intellectual freedom is every learner’s right.

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  • We believe information technologies must be appropriately integrated and equitably available.

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American Association of School Librarians
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GLMA is an affiliate assembly for the American Association of School Librarians. Their Advocacy Tools page contains many resources, including a series of brochures about how school library programs improve student learning. 

GLMA
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The Georgia Library Media Association supports our members in advocating for the support of their school library programs.

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We use various forms of electronic communication and social media to keep our members informed about the state-level policies that impact their programs. We also support members in advocating for their programs at the school, district, state and national levels.

Local Advocacy
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These guidelines from GLMA are intended to help school library media specialists build grassroots support and influence decision-making at the local and district levels, as well as the state level. This document was created by our former lobbyist/executive office but still contains valuable information. 

Get Guidelines
The Art of Lobbying
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This presentation from GLMA is designed to help school library media specialists become more effective at legislators and other policymakers. This document was created by our former lobbyist/executive office but still contains valuable information. 

Get the Presentation
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Advocating for Library Media Programs, Staffing, and Funding

Background on 2021 Session
Do you know both the legislators who represent you personally as well as those who represent the families whose children you teach? A new website - https://openstates.org/ - provides direction and links on who represents a specific address. If you are interested in receiving information on legislative updates and potentially participating in advocacy when needed, please send an email with your name, school, and school district (plus RESA district if known) to gaschoollibraryadvocacy@gmail.com

 

Personal interaction with legislators, whether by email or phone, or face-to-face, with stories specific to your school’s situation is most effective.  Especially with so many new members in the legislature this session, laying the groundwork with yours now may improve responsiveness later. Please review the lists of committee members below to see if you recognize any names or towns; linking to their biographies on the General Assembly website may also provide valuable information on their backgrounds, affiliations, and interests. 

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Please also begin to consider how your library funding and staffing may have changed over the past several years.  Having this information at hand if changes are proposed in the session (or another education funding study commission is formed) may be very helpful.  

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Are you interested in how media centers (staffing and resources) are funded - and the history of funding?  Click the button below for this information.

GLMA Funding History

2021 Senate Education & Youth Committee

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Sen. Chuck Payne, Chairman

Sen. Jason Anavitarte, Vice Chairman

Sen. Freddie Powell Sims, Secretary

Sen. Matt Brass, Ex- Officio

Sen. Lindsey Tippens, Ex-Officio

Sen. John Albers, Member

Sen. Greg Dolezal, Member

Sen. Sonya Halpern, Member

Sen. Lester G. Jackson

Sen. Donzella James, Member

Sen. Sheila McNeill, Member

Sen. Elena Parent, Member

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2021 House Education Committee

Matt Dubnik, Chairman

Chris Erwin, Vice Chairman 

Dave Belton, Secretary

Tommy Benton, Member

Wes Canterll, Member

Doreen Carter, Member

Mike Cheokas, Member

Terry England, Member

Becky Evans, Member

Mike Glanton, Member

DeWayne Hall, Member

Henry "Wayne" Howard, Member

Rick Jasperse, Member

Jan Jones, Member

Todd Jones, Member

Dominic LaRiccia, Member

Mesha Mainor, Member

Bee Nguyen, Member

Randy Nix, Member

Miriam Paris, Member

Bonnie Rich, Member

Ed Setzler, Member

Will Wade, Member

Matthew Wilson, Member

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