Dear MASL Member,
As MASL President, I am writing
to share the pro-active approach that the Maine Association of School Libraries
is taking on the various proposals to consolidate school districts in Maine. MASL has developed a position statement
informing legislators and educators of the value to students of having a
professionally run school library program.
We are emphasizing the
important role that library media specialists serve in their schools and suggesting
that any school administrative reorganization plan should acknowledge the
necessity of library media specialists at each building level. As you know so very well library
media specialists teach students, collaborate with classroom teachers and serve
as information specialists.
We are also pointing out that coordination within each reorganized
school district can establish consistent selection of quality print and digital
materials, cost effective resource sharing, and the leadership necessary for
professional learning communities in all schools.
Along with the position
statement MASL is sending a copy of ?School Libraries Work!? the
Scholastic Research Foundation Paper (published in 2006 and reprinted in 2007)
to each legislator. It brings together position statements from a variety of
organizations and findings from nearly a decade of empirical studies that cite
the measurable impact of school libraries and library media specialists on
learning outcomes. The report shows that school libraries administered by
certified library media specialists are a powerful force in the lives of
America?s children.
We have included a copy of
the report with this letter so that you will have the research too.
We feel that Maine children deserve
access to a certified library media specialist in their schools and will continue
to advocate for inclusion of certified library media specialists in any
consolidation program adopted for Maine.
Please do not hesitate to
contact me by email at tcaouette@yahoo.com
if you have any
questions, comments or if you would like to volunteer.
Sincerely,
Teri Caouette
Teri Caouette, President
Maine Association of School
Libraries (MASL)