I would like to suggest that library advocates share the forwarded article with *local school board members and superintendents *rather than their local school librarians. Why? Because chances are that your local schools do NOT employ school librarians. Only *8%* of Michigan Schools employ a full-time certified school librarian and only 18% employ either a full or part-time school librarian. (See chart below). Michigan ranks 47th in the nation in terms of the ratio of students to school librarians and ranks *46th in the nation in 4th-grade students scoring proficient or above in reading* as measured by the National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP). One of the SLJ articles <https://www.slj.com/2018/03/industry-news/school-librarian-art-thou/> referenced by Deb Kachel lists Michigan as one of the states that have lost the highest percentage of FTE School Librarians between 2009-10 and 2015-2016. A graph of the loss of certified school librarians in Michigan is found below. Jim Neal, ALA President, in his March article for American Libraries states: "In this environment of interdependency, we, as a family of libraries, must embrace advocacy for school libraries as foundational to the success of our collective work for students who love to read, as we prepare them for college, career, and life." https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2018/03/01/fight-for-school-libraries/ In addition, April is School Library month! This has been recognized by Governor Snyder in his proclamation of April as School Library Month in Michigan. bit.ly/MIaprilslm Thus, April would be a great time to send letters to local school board members and superintendents. A sample letter which can be personalized can be found here: bit.ly/MIslltr Michigan MUST support effective school libraries supported by certified school librarians in order to improve literacy in our state. Thank you for sharing the April 2018 *Phi Delta Kappan* article "Why school librarians matter: What years of research tell us" by Deborah Kachel and Keith Curry Lance ( http://www.kappanonline.org/lance-kachel-school-librarians-matter-years-rese...) widely; but, thank you especially for sharing it with local school boards and superintendents. If you have any questions or need additional data, please let me know. Thank you so much! --Kathy Lester Kathy Lester, MLIS, MA *Advocacy Chair, Past-President 2014* Michigan Association for Media in Education (MAME) *SIGLIB Steering Committee* Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) *School Library Media Specialist / Technology Coach* *SL21 Model Library, 2017-2018* *SL21 Exemplary Ranking - Michigan School Libraries for the 21st Century 2016-2019* East Middle School, Plymouth-Canton Schools *ISTE Making IT Happen Award Winner* *2017 MAME Michigan School Library Program of the Year* *2012 **State Librarian's Excellence Award Winner* kathyL@mimame.org 810.333.5873 <(810)%20333-5873> On Tue, Mar 27, 2018 at 3:56 AM, Christine Hage via Michlib-l < michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
Please share with your local school librarians.
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Deb Kachel <dkachel69@comcast.net> Date: Mon, Mar 26, 2018 at 9:06 PM Subject: Newly Published School Library Research
Hello School Library Advocates
Keith Curry Lance and I have conducted some recent research and hope you will help us spread this info out on your state networks and social media. Our research is gaining attention and has been published by School Library Journal and Phi Delta Kappan. Here are the links. In addition, please read the Jessen article that shows how students in our poorest communities and largely black communities have the fewest school libraries and librarians. Jessen poses this as a “canary in the coal mine” harkening of a resegregation of schools, led by the charter movement that has the least library services for students due to no oversight.
I hope you find these articles helpful in your work to ensure that all K-12 students can learn with adequate school library services.
Phi Delta Kappan http://www.kappanonline.org/lance-kachel-school- librarians-matter-years-research/
Several School Library Journal articles: Landing page https://www.slj.com/school-librarian-state-union/#_
Thank you for all your continued support, Deb
************************************************
*Debra E. Kachel*
Legislative Liaison, Pa. School Librarians Assn.
*dkachel69@comcast.net <dkachel69@comcast.net>*
717-575-3886 (cell)
Twitter @SchLibAdvocate
*PA Library Legislation Webpage <https://psla.memberclicks.net/pa-librarian-legislation>*
*PA School Library Project <http://paschoollibraryproject.org/home>*
Christine Lind Hage Director, Rochester Hills Public Library Division Councilor, United for Libraries 500 Olde Towne Road Rochester, MI 48307-2043 248/650-7122 <(248)%20650-7122>
The E's of Libraries®: Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship, E mpowerment, Engagement
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