KASL

Here is Stephanie Vance's website (Advocacy Guru cited in my report):  http://www.ala.org/advocacy/advleg/federallegislation/getinvolved/onlineadvocacy

Kansas Legislative Push Card

Here is the Kansas Library Association Governmental Affairs' "Kansas Legislative Push Card".  The card outlines library issues that we feel will need advocacy.  Download the push card and share if you can. This document is intended to educate us all (not just legislators) about upcoming Library issues in the Kansas Legislature.

Diane (KASL Member on the KLA Governmental Affairs Committee)

Evaluating the Effects of Eliminating the Kan-ed Program

Gwen Lehman sent the KASL list this link to Reports Released at the Most Recent Meeting of the Legislative Post Audit Committee Kansas Board of Regents: Evaluating the Effects of Eliminating the Kan-ed. The summary report is worth a look. As Gwen says, ". . . interesting results and recommendations . . . ."

2011 Fall Education Summits

Attending these, and getting community "movers & shakers" to attend these meetings is worth your time.  Know what these people have to say about "Education, the Kansas Way". KASB - USA/Kansas - KSSDE - KBOR are sponsoring 2011 Fall Education Summits at the following locations: Dodge City - Wednesday, October 5 Colby - Thursday, October 6 Topeka - Wednesday, October 12 Concordia - Thursday, October 13 Girard - wednesday, October 26 Wichita - Thursday, October 27 Topics of Interest: 21st Centruy Learning Skills College Readiness Advocacy Common Core Standards Parent Involvement Effective Teaching Panel Discussion Dr. Andy Tompkins/Dr. Diane Debacker/Dr. John Heim/Sheryl Semmel and more Details coming soon at http://www.kasb.org & http://wwwusakansas.org   Diane Leupold KASL Governmental Affairs 785-295-3941 [email protected]

 

Legislative Watch

Be watching the activities in the Kansas House of Representatives and let your library supporters know that unless their Representative sits on the House  Appropriations Committee, they and their interests will not likely be heard.  The House voted to change several procedures and rules, making it difficult to even bring forward changes to any bills coming out of the Appropriations Committee.  Follow the action or non-action...  

You can get information on rule changes and other activities from the Topeka Capital Journal.

You can get information from the KNEA website.

You can get information from the KASB website.

You can find your Representative's contact information at the Kansas Legislature website. Drop down the page to "Find Your Legislator".

In this year of extremely tight budget concerns, it is important for you to be aware of actions being taken in the Legislature and to voice your opinions to those who are representing you. 

Diane Leupold
KASL Governmental Affairs 

KASL Representation at ALA

The American Library Association 
2010 Annual Conference
took place on June 24-29, 2010 in Washington, D.C.

 

Debbi Maddy, President and President Elect, Juanita Jameson

 

Cindy Pfeiffer and Linda Roberts

 

Kansas Librarians Rally on Capitol Hill
 
 Photos: Linda Roberts

Legislators @ your library

Invite Legislators to

Your School Library During National Library Week

What is foremost in legislators’ minds?  Finance & Budget

How can teacher-librarians link up to legislators’ agenda?  With One Key Message

Legislators @ your library ®

Your legislators must know 

• • Networked school libraries and fully licensed school librarians have a positive impact on student learning and achievement.
• • Students learn 21st century learning skills through state-of-the-art school library media programs.
• • Interactions with a school library media specialist aid children and teens in becoming confident, competent, and independent learners.
• • Students achieve more academically when their teachers and fully licensed school library media specialists collaboratively plan and deliver instruction.
• • There is data to support these statements, which has been collected over the past decade in studies across the United States.
• • Stimulus money (ARRA) can be spent to benefit school libraries and to hire fully licensed school librarians in every school building, e.g., Title I; Enhancing Education Through Technology; and State Fiscal Stabilization Funds.

AASL Resources  

The SKILLs Act  http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/aaslissues/SKILLS_Act.cfm 

Improving Literacy Through School Libraries http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/wo/woissues/schoollibraries/lsl/lsl.cfm 

Know Your Stimulus www.ala.org/knowyourstimulus

School Library Media Month 2009 http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/aaslissues/aasladvocacy/schoollibrary.cfm 

AddItUp:  Libraries Make the Difference

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/advocacyuniversity/additup/index.cfm 

Results

Act quickly. Put together a needs list for your district.  Share it with your local school administrators and legislators.  Take pictures.  Write news releases.  Let us know how it goes.  Send your story to AASL Legislation Committee Members:  Mirah Dow [email protected] or Mary Moyer [email protected]