Given by: Jacquelyn Lamoureux Library Media Specialist
34 Lantern Lane Greenbush Elementary School
North Kingstown, RI 02852 West Warwick, RI 02893

Past President, RI Educational Media Association (RIEMA)

Good evening and thank you for the opportunity to speak. As in many of you know I have been following and commenting on the revision process and was very interested in reading the regulations you are intending to adopt.

I am pleased at the 21st century approach which is philosophically similar to the American Association for School Librarians (AASL) Standards for the 21st Century Learner. The overall outcome for both documents is students becoming capable, creative and responsible lifelong learners. The BEP draft includes information literacy, independent learning and social responsible as part an effective Library and Media program. Elsewhere in the document the importance of integrating literacy (reading, writing and oral communication) as well as applied learning and the use of information and communication technology across all content areas is stated. That these are important components of the Library and Media program should be acknowledged and emphasized.

Language about Library-Media resources and an area that provides access to them is included in the proposed BEP. Why not call this a library or library media center?

I am aware that this BEP was developed to avoid what many perceive to be unfunded mandates and to allow the LEA’s the flexibility to develop plans which address their local situations. My biggest concern and I know many of my colleagues share this concern, is how the LEA’s will develop and maintain systems to accurately measure compliance with the Library and Media standards. What criteria will the LEA use to ensure that the library media program adequately address information literacy, independent learning and social responsibility? What criteria determine whether resources to do this are adequate?

The LEA’s are charged with the responsibility for recruiting, supporting and retaining highly effective staff. For Library and Media programs this means certified library media specialists, who education, training and continued professional development bring 21st century learning skills, dispositions and responsibilities to our children. Will LEA’s recognize this?

When the LEA’s develop their plans please endorse those which require library media professionals and programs that provide students with the essential literacy and critical thinking skills to become productive and informed citizens. RIEMA members are ready to contribute to establishing criteria and working to provide the best for our students.

Some neighboring states mission statements:
Mission of MSLA

MSLA advocates for school library programs that have a significant and measurable impact on student achievement. It supports licensed, highly qualified library teachers at all levels and endorses school library programs that have strong leadership, resources, and instructional components. MSLA provides its members with growth opportunities, research, publications, and public relations activities.

Mission Statement:
CASL is committed to excellence in education by ensuring that students are active readers and effective users of ideas and information to become lifelong learners. The Association provides leadership, professional development, publicity, networking and support to the Connecticut school library community. CASL supports licensed, highly qualified library media specialists and fully funded library programs in all K-12 schools. CASL promotes collaboration between classroom teachers, library media specialists, administrators, and curriculum specialists for the benefit of student achievement especially in information literacy and technology literacy. CASL serves as a cooperative agency bringing together the profession, the State Department of Education, regional associations, national associations, and the general public.

NHEMA’S mission is to ensure that all members of the New Hampshire school community become effective users of ideas and information, and school library media programs are an integral part of the teaching/learning process in every New Hampshire school.

The ideas of advocacy, leadership, teaching/education, reading, and technology have been articulated.

The mission should include the purpose:
Advocacy can be a purpose. We can’t advocate for school libraries, though. I’m not sure about focusing on student achievement (the way MSLA does). Maybe student access or life-learning development? Another purpose would be to provide leadership in the area of best teaching practices.

The mission should include how we’ll do this:(http://www.tgci.com/magazine/How%20to%20Write%20a%20Mission%20Statement.pdf)
through communication with the board of regents/ride, public relations, professional development activities, networking opportunities, standard/curriculum development?

Lastly, the mission should include our values:
Life long learners who find and evaluate information, read and use info., collaboratively share info…?

I also agree with Peter that we probably should create an advocacy group, but what would it be? A lobbying group? A group that would show up at school committee meetings around the state?

I think that what we need is not a tweaking of our mission but providing more professional development since our technology changes so rapidly. And what I would like is some real learning. Case in point: I just read a blog piece by Will Richardson in the December 2008 District Administrator where he asks “How do you find out who owns a particular domain address or website.” “What steps would you take to decide whether information you found on a blog is worthy of inclusion in a presentation you are creating?” And does he answer this – tell you how? No! I am so tired of people telling us what we should do without telling us how to do it! I would like to see demonstrations, not hear lectures about what LMSs should do – show me, like I show my kids. Do it. Show me the steps.
Lastly – you know what? RIEMA does a fabulous job, between our listserv, our prof. development opportunities, our conferences – I mean, I think we do a great, great job supporting each other, sharing, helping, educating – let’s celebrate what we do and step back and say, hey, job well done.