1. Front * Line Advocacy & the School Library Connie Williams National Board Certified Teacher Librarian Petaluma High School CSLA Past President chwms@mac.com

2. Who is ‘front line’ in the school library? All school library personnel are front line.

3. Here’s what we know… Legislative advocacy needs to come from others No one hates libraries We can provide service & information

4. To whom do we advocate? Parents / community education foundations Site administrators / site council / teachers Site Council Legislators Community members / school Board members Accreditation agencies Feeder schools (above and below)

5. Comfort level of advocating? “Who am I to talk to these people?” “I’m just a clerk” “I’m the only library person in my school – no one wants to listen to me” “I don’t want to offend someone”

6. First stop: learn how to …BRAG! One book one conference: – Brag!: The art of tooting your own horn without blowing it by Peggy Klaus

7. Second step: CSLA campaign for strong school libraries “BEST SELLERS” http://bestsellers4schoollibraries.csla.net

8. How does it work? Talk to people you see every day: tell them something interesting about your job. Ask if they’d like to become a “Best Seller” Register them with CSLA and provide them with info

9. “March in March to Sacramento” Legislative days Connect legislators with strong school libraries Create new BEST SELLERS Provides a local contact

10. Third step : What is Action Advocacy? “Show don’t tell” – Take the CSLA SLL 2.0 tutorial then lead your colleagues in CL 2.0 – Create and lead an instructional lesson &/or program with students and faculty: name it & grow it.

11. 3 key messages Students deserve equitable access to libraries. School Library Standards provide blueprints for strong school libraries. Strong school libraries build strong students and lifelong learners. A strong school library = a teacher librarian and a full time clerk supported by substantial and consistent funding.

12. Best Sellers Tutorial: http://bestsellers4schoollibraries.csla.net http://bestsellers4schoollibraries.csla.net