You need to be visible, everywhere! Advocating for Portuguese school libraries Ana Novo UAb Advocacy for Libraries, th September 2014

Presentation plan 1.Some school library challenges 2.RBE: brief overview 3.SL impact student success 4.What is SL advocacy and who should be an advocate 4.1 TL’s role in advocacy 5.Some steps/ways to advocate as a SL advocate 6.Visibility: one of the key strategies 6.1 Physical visibility 6.2 Virtual visibility 7.Portuguese SL virtual visibility 8.Ontario School Library Association Video contest Ana Novo Advocacy for Libraries, th September

1. School library challenges  Society increasingly complex and competitive  Information and Knowledge society  Students need skills – academic and educational success  Increase of information available  Development of ICT  Places of access to diverse information/various formats  Basic resources of the educational process  Key role: reading; ability to search, select and use information; development of study methods Ana Novo Advocacy for Libraries, th September 20143

2. RBE – brief overview  Portuguese School Library Network – 1996/97  Help creating new SL and develop existing structures  After 18 years:  more than 2400 SL: innovative learning spaces;  staff specialized training: LLL courses, PG Diplomas and Master degrees  In 2009 – (Portaria 756/2009) – profile, competencies and criteria for TL selection Ana Novo Advocacy for Libraries, th September

3. SL impact student achievement  Increase national SL research – number of Master thesis  Huge number of international studies – correlation between SL and student success: – USA, Canada and Australia – quantitative studies – UK – qualitative studies The existence of a qualified TL impacts and increases students’ academic success, their performance and learning in its broadest sense. Ana Novo Advocacy for Libraries, th September

3. SL impact student achievement (cont.) USA research: – Higher academic success in any king of school with a TL – SL staff devoted time to IL – True collaboration between TL and curriculum teachers – Teachers trainning in access to information – Students make frequent visits to the SL – Full time TL: More instruction activities - IL SL open for a longer period Build a strong relationship with Public Libraries Ana Novo Advocacy for Libraries, th September

4. What is SL advocacy and who should be an advocate “ Advocacy is a planned, deliberate, sustained effort to raise awareness of an issue. It’s an ongoing process in which support and understanding are built incrementally over an extended period of time and using a wide variety of marketing and public relations tools.” (Canadian Association of Public Libraries, 2001) Ana Novo Advocacy for Libraries, th September

4. What is SL advocacy and who should be an advocate (cont.) There is a great need to advocate for SL - Risk of SL being left out when making decisions SL advocacy: Promoting awareness and value of SL and TL Ensuring students have well stocked and well staffed SL with strong collaborative program Making a difference in student’s live as learners Ana Novo Advocacy for Libraries, th September

4. What is SL advocacy and who should be na advocate (cont.) But a good program does not matter when money is tight and awareness is low TL proactive promoting value of SL programs Need to be visible, everywhere! Ana Novo Advocacy for Libraries, th September

4. What is SL advocacy and who should be an advocate (cont.) TLTeachers School directors APBAD staff BN staffTechnology/Book vendors Book/ Magazine authorsPublishers Web developers There is a role for everyone in SL advocacy! Ana Novo Advocacy for Libraries, th September

4.1 TL role in advocacy TL are key players: Provide access to books and online resources Teach students and teachers online research, cyber safety skills and digital citizenship Are IL specialists Reach thousands of students every year Are teachers of the largest classroom in school Publicize that good SL impact student achievement Ana Novo Advocacy for Libraries, th September

5. Steps to advocate as a SL advocate 1)Set goals 2)Get organized 3)Deliver your message 4)Identify communication strategies 5)Select your communications mechanisms 6)Speak out! 7)Deal with bad news in a positive way 8)Talk, talk, talk! 9)Keep informed 10)Work on your SL print or online newsletter 11)Make and distribute handouts 12)Plan a SL event 13)Get press 14)Build your network Ana Novo Advocacy for Libraries, th September

5. Ways to advocate as a SL advocate (cont.)  Share your ideias  Be on the alert for good SL user stories  Use a SL message as part of your signature  Thank everyone involved – a thank you is powerful  Don’t give up! Advocacy is about persistence  Don’t wait for it to happen – Make it happen! Ana Novo Advocacy for Libraries, th September

6. Visibility - physical visibility Ways to increase TL physical visibility: a.Being involved in curriculum planning b.Attending parent association meetings c.Contributing to school events d.SL is represented on local/district meetings e.Teach courses on using computers f.Must document all professional activities on a daily basis g.Monthly report – There is power in numbers! h.Meet regularly: address informational needs, identify concerns and suggest remedies i.Assume leadership role j.Writing for professional journals / educational newspapers Ana Novo Advocacy for Libraries, th September

6. Visibility – virtual visibility You can’t be everywhere…….Or can you?  Use technology as much as you can to showcase the SL program  Virtual visibility extends 24 /7 /365  Some Web 2.0 tools for SL omnipresence: SL virtual presence needs to be active + engaging + welcoming + with personality Ana Novo Advocacy for Libraries, th September

6. Visibility – virtual visibility (cont.) SL virtual presence can promote the library with little attention – it is a great time saver for busy TL BUT… A.Put on a Happy Face on the SL website/blog Ana Novo Advocacy for Libraries, th September

6. Visibility – virtual visibility (cont.) B. Include photographs of friendly spaces C. Include links to research on impact of SL on academic achievement Ana Novo Advocacy for Libraries, th September

7. Portuguese SL virtual visibility  According to some academic national research:  The portuguese panorama regarding the introduction of Web 2.0 tools in SL is not easy to characterize because there are no nationwide studies due to the complexity and size of the universe of study  SL virtual presence is still weak, being blogs the Web 2.0 tool most used and developed  RBE – SL videos Ana Novo Advocacy for Libraries, th September

8. OSLA video contest Across Canada and US SL are facing closures. OSLA wants people to tell their story about why SL matters. One of the 2014 OSLA Video Contest Winners Mohawk Gardens PS, Burlington, Ontario Ana Novo Advocacy for Libraries, th September

Ana Novo Advocacy for Libraries, th September Thank you!