Journal of the Washington Library Media Association
Winter 2013
Volume 37 Number 2
Empowering Student Learning
Information Literacy
It started as an idea over coffee
Images trump words, so Let's create a 3-5 minute video showing what TL's deliver.
We started filming with Lynne Greene, Davis HS Librarian...
I went to my Principal and said I wanted the library open as much as the gym is.
now open 3-8PM Mon-Thurs. for students from throughout Yakima, the Davis HS library is a vital part of their lives.
our kids know they are wanted here.
it's bursting and its loud and kids are there all the time...
we captured multiple views on "What do school librarians do these days?"
we need to be all about student outcomes...
share this video with parents,staff, administrators, school boards and legislators to ensure that they have an up-to-date understanding of how teacher librarians ensure that all students are effective users and producers of ideas and information. http://wlma.org ...that's the whole point!
...full of High-Level learning and critical, creative thinking...
Winter 2013
Volume 37
Number 2
Empowering Student Learning: Information Literacy Take Note: Note-Taking Options in a Digital Age
by Leah Griffin...............................................................................................................................................................6
Washington Library Media Association Honors Those Who Make a Difference for School Libraries.......................................................................................... 8 Teacher-Librarian: A Common Core Cadre
by Morgen Larsen....................................................................................................................................................... 10
The Unconference Discourse Model
by Greg Bem................................................................................................................................................................ 12
Department From the Editor: Alice McNeer Is the MEDIUM Dead? What do You Think?.......................................................................................................2 President: Leigh Lohrasbi Library Information and Technology: The Road Ahead................................................................................4 President-elect Anne Bingham Getting to Know Washington Library Media Association............................................................................5 New Video: Teacher-Librarians at the Heart of Student Learning...................................................................7 Nominate a Deserving Person for a WLMA Award...............................................................................................9 Legislative Liaison: Sara Glass A New Year’s Resolution: Get More Involved................................................................................................ 11 Advertise and Reach a Large Target Audience!..................................................................................................... 14 Library News...................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Emeritus Member William (Bill) C. Towner Nine Teacher-Librarians Become NBCT New WLMA Opportunity: MEDIUM Editor Position Planbook.............................................................................................................................................................................. 16
Journal of the Washington Library Media Association
From the Editor: Alice McNeer
Is the MEDIUM Dead? What do You Think? I think there’s a future where the Web and print coexist and they each do things uniquely and complement each other, and we have what could be the ultimate and best-yet array of journalistic venues. David Eggers
“David Eggers’ heartbreaking work of staggering reality” by Andrew O’Hehir. Salon. July 9, 2009.
The first part of the title asks, “Is the MEDIUM dead?” This question is not new nor is it a reflection on behalf of this issue being late. This issue is late due to a number of unforeseen events and circumstances. The question however, has been floating around since I started the position of editor ten years ago. The MEDIUM has served as the professional journal of the Washington Library Media Association (WLMA) for many years, and it has had its fare share of editors and other staff members. It has flourished and it has struggled. During my years as editor, I fought hard to keep the MEDIUM as one means of professional communication for WLMA. Now, the question is coming forth with greater magnitude and here in my editorial column, I am bringing it to you. When I took this position, the MEDIUM only had a print option. As technology grew over the past 10 years, the MEDIUM grew with it and soon it arrived via ISSUU in digital format (E-MEDIUM). Many issues now come in both formats. Some, such as this one, come only in digital format. Why only digital formats? The answer is simple— costs. In the past, the MEDIUM received funding from membership dues and advertising. With economic hard times, both dropped creating a huge dent in the budget. At one point, the WLMA Executive Board wanted to cut an entire spring issue of the MEDIUM. Instead, I suggested doing only a digital issue with a cost of zero. It was tempting at this point to continue doing only a digital issue, but I fought hard to keep at least two issues in print—winter with all award winners and fall with the conference information. So why is this issue digital only? This issue is digital only not only because of cost, but also due to the lack of contributions. Before this issue, the smallest issue had 20 pages. This issue only has 16 pages, not counting the four cover pages (front, inside front, inside back and back). The winter issue always faces a challenge in obtaining articles partially because the due date for submission comes only a month after conference and at a busy time of year (parent teacher conferences at schools and the holidays). This year, the MEDIUM Associate Editor solicited articles from presenters at conference and sent out messages via the listserv multiple times. Yet, this issue only has three short articles.
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In addition, past winter issues contained pages filled with photos from conference and pages celebrating those honored by WLMA with an award. As you flip through this issue, do you note the lack of both? In this issue only five awards appear, yet WLMA offers eight awards each year. There are six leadership awards available: Superintendent, Principal by level (elementary, middle school and high school), Small District/Private School Administrator, and Supervisor. In 2012, the following leadership awards went without recipients: Principal of the Year for middle school, Small District/Private School Administrator and Superintendent. In addition, WLMA has an outstanding teacher-librarian award, the WLMA President’s award and emeritus membership award. The Teacher-Librarian of the Year award in the past went to two recipients (one from each level: Elementary-Middle School and Secondary). This year, the award does not appear because no one submitted the information. However, according to the “WLMA Outstanding Library Media Specialist/TL of the Year winners 1990 – present” page on the website, Alyse Fritz received the award. The President’s Award appears but without photos again because no one submitted them (even though requested). In addition to lack of contributions, this issue lacks advertisements. The MEDIUM has never been overwhelmed with ads, but it always had enough ads to help with the cost of printing. This issue holds only one ad. Thank you Mackin for always being supportive of WLMA and to Jennifer Maydole for helping get the ad at the last minute. I do need to clarify that part of the reason for less ads in this issue resides with the fact that WLMA did not have an Advertising Manager for the past year. Fortunately, I also can report that Jeanne Staley stepped forth and took over the position, which should help resolve this problem in the future. Why do I want to see it continue? You might think it is because of my position as editor. The answer to this assumption is no. In fact, I have already submitted my resignation as the editor of the MEDIUM. I love doing the MEDIUM and it forced me to expand and increase my skills as editor as well as a graphic artist. When I started, I only knew the basics of putting together a journal and someone else did the cover art. Over the years, I pushed myself to learn more about putting together a journal VOL 37 NO. 2
and when the person who did the covers resigned, I learned how to create them. All of this experience and growth contributed to my applying and accepting the new position of Communication Director at my current school. I could not have done it without my experience with the MEDIUM and serving WLMA. As I move on, it is now time for the MEDIUM to move on as well. The MEDIUM should continue because it serves WLMA in a multitude of ways. For members it serves as a resource providing information about the association while offering relevant articles from fellow teacherlibrarians and others in the library information and technology (LIT) field. However, the professional reach of the MEDIUM goes beyond its members. It serves as an advocacy tool for the association. In the past, senators, representatives and other professional groups received the MEDIUM as a way of introducing and promoting WLMA as the professional association of teacherlibrarians and Library Information and Technology (LIT) programs. Did you know the MEDIUM appears in the EBSCO database? In fact, I have received e-mails from college professors that used articles from the MEDIUM in their class reading packets. Just this year, a citation in an American Library Association’s published book is a MEDIUM article! Therefore, while members often regard the MEDIUM as reading material for
members only, in reality its reach goes way beyond; this is why the Executive Committee voted to move it from behind the members firewall to public access and why I feel strongly that it should continue. Now back to the original questions in the title: Is the MEDIUM dead? What do you think? You are the only ones that can provide the answers. Do you want the MEDIUM to continue? If it continues, should it be in print, in print and digital or in digital format only? If it ends, should it be replaced with something else or just quietly buried? During the Board of Directors meeting in March, the members there will address the future of the MEDIUM and they need your input. Contact Board of Director members now, in person or via e-mails (found on the WLMA website), and let them know what you think. Is it time to quietly bury or resurrect the MEDIUM? Thank you for the past ten years. It has been an honor and delight to serve as your MEDIUM Editor!
Alice McNeer is the Communications Director at the Eton School, an Independent School in Bellevue. E-mail: mediumeditor@earthlink.net.
MEDIUM Journal of the Washington Library Media Association (ISSN 0889-00773) Alice McNeer, Editor Cathy Grant, Associate Editor Craig Seasholes, Advertising NEW NAME, Business/Subscriptions
Publication Information
As an official publication of the Washington Library Media Association, the MEDIUM is published three times annually (September, January, and May) and included in the WLMA membership dues. Nonmember subscriptions are available and can be obtained by contacting the WLMA Treasurer at the following address: WLMA, Attn: Merrilyn Tucker, 10924 Mukilteo Speedway PMB 142 Mukilteo, WA 98275.
Editorial Policy
Washington Library Media Association reserves the right to make the final judgment on all submitted material. Inclusion of an article, photo, graphic, or advertisement does not necessarily express the opinion or constitute an endorsement by WLMA. All responsibility and liability for the content of advertising rests with the individual advertiser. Unless otherwise stated, copyright is retained by each contributor. WINTER 2013
Copyright
The Washington Library Media Association retains electronic representation and distribution rights to the contents of its publication the MEDIUM. Furthermore, WLMA reserves the right to use text, photos, and artwork from the MEDIUM in subsequent editions, with notification to the submitter if possible. Otherwise all rights revert to the creator author of the work. The contents of the MEDIUM appear electronically in EBSCO’s LISTA database (beginning Fall 2004 issue).
Advertising
For information about WLMA’s advertising policy for the MEDIUM or to place an ad, please contact the Advertising Manager Jean Staley (staleyj54@gmail.com ) or visit the MEDIUM web page.
Upcoming Issues/Themes Spring 2013 Reading Advocacy Fall 2013 Conference Issue Winter 2013 Technology Submission dates and additional guidelines please go to: http://wlma.org/Default.aspx?pageId=1533085. MEDIUM | 3
President: Leigh Lohrasbi
Library Information and Technology: The Road Ahead Following the guidance of our members responding to the Conference Survey (sent out in February), Washington Library Media Association (WLMA) put on a well-attended conference at the Yakima Convention Center on October 11, 12 and 13. WLMA provided free registration to District administrators and teacher-librarian/administrator collaboration served as the conference platform. There were many opportunities to take away advocacy tools for Library Information and Technology (LIT). One of the highlights of the conference was the “unkeynote” given by Mark Ray, WLMA member and 2012 Washington State Teacher of the Year. The Advocacy Panel with National Principal of the Year Trevor Greene, Mark Ray, Majority Leader of the Washington House of Representatives Pat Sullivan, WLMA Supervisor of the Year Ryan Theodoriches, and Yakima Herald Education reporter Dan Catchpole, provided insight into the steps teacher-librarians need to follow in order to provide a long term active library media program. The administrators asked for data from teacher-librarians about their library programs. They also asked teacher-librarians to participate on District Strategic Planning Committees. Members crowded the Common Core sessions provided by the K-12 Advisory Committee for the Washington State Library, which caused the closing of the sessions due to lack of space! Our Banquet Speaker, Dr. Rick DuVall, gave an enlightening talk about neuroscience filled with simple strategies to transform our classrooms and libraries into learning laboratories. Several teacher-librarians went home with information to share at their building staff meetings. Our authors, S.A. Bodeen, Kate McMullan and Dana Reinhardt shared insights into the writing of their books and their everyday lives. You may have noticed in the background, teacher‑librarians involved in interviews by the filmmakers. In addition, the filmmakers also visited Davis High School Media Center—all for an advocacy film project funded by WLMA.
Survey Results
During the past year, WLMA members responded to a survey about our annual conference. Some teacher‑librarians expressed an interest to merge with Northwest Council for Computers in Education (NCCE) in order to have our annual state conference
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under the umbrella of the NCCE March Conference. Members responded very strongly—284 out of 444 members at the time (roughly 64%) from across seventeen counties. The location along with cost of the conference were strong determining factors for attendance. The conference held in Yakima was cheaper and much more feasible for WLMA as an organization than either the SeaTac Conference (2010) or the Spokane Conference (2011). The Yakima Convention Center Crew was very cooperative with our Conference Committee. The wireless worked well, and was not an added cost. The Conference Survey sent out to attendees of the conference at Yakima revealed that the majority of attendees felt the conference was a value for their money.
Conference Dates Crucial
In the member survey, the most telling response came from the question, “What time of year is best for conferences?” Overwhelmingly, the largest response was Fall. Of all of the choices, Fall is the time when WLMA members want their professional development. While the idea of joining with NCCE was on the table, the question of changing the timing of their conference was addressed by our executive committee to NCCE’s governing board. NCCE would not consider changing the time. Of the members I spoke with, Fall is the time teacher-librarians need new ideas and fresh approaches for their ever-changing curriculum; Spring is too late.
Major Attendance Factor
In addition, the WLMA member conference survey revealed that for half of the responders, the days off from work served as a major factor in deciding whether they would attend a conference. While we investigated extending Saturday afternoon, the conference committee proceeded with the standard WLMA conference format for 2012--Thursday Preconference, Friday and half of Saturday as conference days. At the March conference committee meeting, it was determined that the extra planning involved in extending conference on Saturday was too much work with too few hands given the limited time – the conference committee had been delayed in planning by a budget freeze passed by the Executive Committee at their November meeting. In addition, the [ continued on page 14 ]
Leigh Lohrasbi is the Teacher-Librarian at Lewis and Clark Middle School, Yakima SD. E-mail: lohrasbi.leigh@yakimaschools.org.
VOL 37 NO. 2
President-elect Anne Bingham
Getting to Know Washington Library Media Association I am pleased to be writing my first column as Washington Library Media Association (WLMA) President-elect. My assignment is to give an overview of what I am doing, and how I am starting the year off with WLMA. Mostly I am doing a lot of reading, talking, and e-mail.
Reading
I have been reading a lot of WLMA documentation. One of the first things I read was the WLMA mission statement on our website: The Washington Library Media Association is a volunteer organization that provides networking opportunities and professional support for teacher‑librarians, library paraprofessionals, parents, teachers and administrators.
This is an important statement. The word “volunteer� jumps out at me. I am struck by the number of volunteers and volunteer hours that contribute to the success of WLMA. In reading a binder and a couple of inherited thumb drives full of past committee reports, meeting minutes, regional and conference planning documents and correspondence, I realize the necessity and depth of contributions. All of these positions are essential to providing networking opportunities and professional support, from table arrangements at conference to webmaster and advocacy chair. All of these tasks add up to our professional network. WLMA is a large and complex organization, but it is structurally flat, without a vertical hierarchy. I feel the position of president (or president-elect) is no more important than any of the other, numerous contributors to WLMA. We might be the cog at the center of the wheel, collecting, collating, and distributing information, but all working on the same plane. If you suspect this analogy is a set up so I can tell you how easy it is to volunteer for WLMA, you are right. It is my job this year to ask you to step forward and offer your talents, and to reassure you that you will have all of the tools needed for success. A lot of behind the scenes work will be done this year to improve the organization of WLMA documentation. We are off to a substantial start with the Coker/McNeer 2012 revisions to our bylaws, policies and procedures. Although this revision is meant as an annual event, a browse through the archives shows that it is usually overlooked for several years after each revision. With the revisions, Leigh Lohrasbi was able to compose a document of officer responsibilities. It is much easier to start with WINTER 2013
clear responsibilities defined for everyone. We plan to continue tracking lists of tasks for all positions. This will make it easier to recruit new volunteers, and for extra help to step up as needed. We are in the planning stages to revise the navigation of the website. Feedback from the conference survey and our own experience prompted a discussion about easy access to WLMA information, and systematic updating of documents. As an organization of librarians, the ability to improve our website structure is one of our obvious strengths. Like the bylaws revisions, the need for website revision is something that incrementally increases like dust bunnies under the couch. When we sweep it out, it will be so much easier to breathe.
Talking
I have been talking, especially with past-president Craig Seasholes and current president, Leigh Lohrasbi. Both of them reassured me that WLMA has strength in numbers and plenty of people will step forward with talents that I do not have. Leigh Lohrasbi counseled me that each volunteer for WLMA brings her or his own strengths to the work. There is no need to try to be as strong and wonderful in the same way as the last person who did your job. That is a relief, and allows volunteers to bring singular strengths. Our talent, insight, and energy will help us redefine and streamline our goals as an organization. Out of respect and appreciation for everyone involved in WLMA, we should make the best use of volunteer time.
If you have an inbox, then you know there is no end to readings, listservs, feeds, etc., available online, and they all invite you to improve your library game. WLMA uses and reviews webinars and online opportunities at our conference and through our listserv. Now is a good time for us to explore the best way to provide networking opportunities and professional support to all of our members. After discussion at our last Executive Board meeting, Leigh Lohrasbi authorized a committee to research and brainstorm possibilities for future training and connection. Our conferences for the next three years [ continued on page 14 ]
Anne Bingham is the Library Director at University Prep, Seattle. E-mail: abingham@universityprep.org.
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Empowering Student Learning: Information Literacy
Take Note: Note-Taking Options in a Digital Age by Leah Griffin In fifth grade, I remember writing my first research paper on the great horned owl. Mrs. Funk showed me how to write a different fact on each of a small stack of note cards, and hot to organize them into an outline on the tabletop. For many of us, note-taking and organization is most effectively done manually, but tomorrow’s students will take notes in a new and exciting way. Note-taking is expanding beyond 3 x 5” cards and the lines of a college ruled notebook into an interactive and sophisticated digital world with innumerable possibilities. This article introduces you to a variety of web and tablet based note-taking applications. Even in this far from exhaustive list of reviews, it will become clear that while there are many wonderful tools available, the ultimate note-taking app, the one with every possible function needed, does not yet exist. Tablets and other personal devices provide a plethora of note-taking applications at a variety of price points and for a range of abilities. Notability ($0.99), available on iOS devices, allows users to take handwritten notes, typed notes, and to annotate PDF documents. Its microphone feature allows students to record a lecture while taking notes. Users can highlight, copy, paste, and mark text. A palm guard prevents stray marks on the page. While note-taking itself on Notability is a breeze, organizing notes is more difficult. The tool’s file system includes two fields (category and subject), but does not explain the organizational relationship between the two fields. This app has features that might be too complex for younger users. It is best suited to high school students and older. Students should also utilize the app’s ability to export notes into Dropbox and Google Drive in order to organize documents elsewhere. For Middle School students, Noteshelf ($2.99) is considerably easier and more fun to use. Notebooks appear on a virtual shelf in this app whose organizational structure is effortless and intuitive. Students lose the important abilities to import PDF documents and to synchronize documents with Dropbox or Google Drive, but gain a more intuitive interface (and a bunch of fun emoticons). Noteshelf does zoom in for easier handwriting, but for neatness, students would benefit by using a stylus. Noteshelf is a great note-taking app for younger students and students who prefer to draw on their notes. Need an option for all of your students toting around a Microsoft Surface? OneNote (also available for iOS and
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Android) comes integrated into Windows RT devices (mobile devices) and synchronizes to the cloud with Skydrive (Roll, 2012). It is a general organizational tool rather than a designated in-class note-taking application, but can be used to type simple notes. GNotes (free) synchronizes automatically with Gmail. The tool has minimal in-app organization. Users can record, draw and insert photos, but the best part of GNotes is the handwriting tool. While there is no zoom, GNotes allows users to write words and letters as large as desired on the tablet’s surface and then the application shrinks and standardizes the size of the characters. In the end, GNotes is a moderately useful note-taking app, but a surprising tool ideal for writing complex characters. Its handwriting tool would be a great application for students of an Asian language. GNotes fully functions on Android devices, but has difficulties with iOS. A favorite in the world of digital note-taking is Evernote (free). Evernote is available on iOS, Android, along with the web and allows users to easily map notes (shows users where they were in the world when they took that note), insert photos of paper documents, and synchronize between devices. A PDF file can only be added with a full computer and there is no handwriting feature. Users can download Penultimate ($0.99), another application from the Evernote team, which has a handwriting tool, but lacks the essential zoom feature that would make it useful. Skitch (free), also from Evernote, enables more artistic and graphic note-taking for both iOS and Android devices. Skitch creates its own folder within Evernote whose documents can literally be drawn on. Still, the ability to hand-write notes is minimal. While Evernote makes it easy to produce and organize notes, its utilitarian design manages to do so with no reference to VOL 37 NO. 2
the fun and whimsy that would inspire a student to use it. In the web-based world, our old friend Easybib.com has integrated a notebook feature for Pro members. Students can create virtual note cards, drag them around and group them on a virtual desk. Notes can be color-coded, tagged, and linked directly to a source listed in the bibliography. Students can also create an outline by merely dragging their note cards into a panel on the right of the browser. Easybib works best on a full computer, but is surprisingly functional in the browser of an iOS device. Functionality varies by device when using Android. Whatever machine you or your students use, the quintessential digital note-taking application for that device does not exist. Students have varying needs depending on personality, learning style and coursework. It would behoove educators to consider that assigning one universal note-taking tool might not benefit students. Rather, students should have and know how to use a variety of note-taking tools so that their changing needs can be met. Pedagogically, we must teach students how to decide what tool they should use and not how to use tools. When are handwritten notes important? What notes can be saved locally, and what notes necessitate export? Is recording notes important for my learning style? These are the questions our students should be able to answer. Even with all of the technology available now and in the future, sometimes the answer to these questions is still pencil and paper.
Works Cited Roll, Oliver. “OneNote and Lync Come to Windows Store.” Office News. October 26, 2012. Accessed November 12, 2012. http://blogs.office.com/b/officenews/archive/2012/10/26/onenote-and-lync-come-towindows-store.aspx.
References “GNotes.” Google play. 2012. Accessed November 15, 2012. https://play.google.com/store/apps/ details?id=org.dayup.gnotes. “Microsoft OneNote 2010.” Office. Accessed November 15, 2012. http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/onenote/. “Notability Note Everything.” Notability. 2012. Accessed November 15, 2012. http://www.gingerlabs. com/cont/notability.php. “Noteshelf.” iTunes Preview. Accessed November 15, 2012. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/noteshelf/ id392188745?mt=8. “Notes & Outline—Brand New EasyBib Notebook!” EasyBib. 2012. Accessed November 15, 2012. http://www.easybib.com/products/notebooktour. “Penultimate.” Evernote. 2012. Accessed November 15, 2012. https://evernote.com/penultimate. “Remember Everything.” Evernote. 2012. Accessed November 15, 2012. http://evernote.com/.
Leah Griffin is the Librarian at University Prep in Seattle and serves as WLMA Middle School Chair elect. E-mail: lgriffin@universityprep.org.
“Skitch.” Evernote. 2012. Accessed November 15, 2012. http://evernote.com/skitch/.
New Video: Teacher-Librarians at the Heart of Student Learning School library and information technology programs are a vital resource for student learning. Teacher‑Librarians at the Heart of Student Learning highlights the essential role teacher-librarians play in information and technology literacy instruction, reading advocacy, and information management. Let’s get the word out by sharing this vital video! Share it via the Washington Library Media Association website or YouTube. Many thanks to the teacher-librarians, administrators, Dr. Loetscher, Dennis Small from Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and Mr. Trevor Greene, National Principal of the Year appearing on our video. We are so proud of the job done and thankful to Craig Seasholes, Washington Library Media Association’s Past-President and White Noise Production Company.
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WLMA Awards
Washington Library Media Association Honors Those Who Make a Difference for School Libraries Elementary School Principal of the Year Susan Petterson Robert Lince Elementary School Selah School District Susan Petterson knows the skills required to be a successful teacher‑librarian and knows she can depend on hers to advocate reading through school wide programs, build parent relationships, provide professional development, and teach necessary Library Information and Technology (LIT) skills. She spends countless hours reading
educational blogs, along with other professional articles and is diligent in sharing them with the appropriate audience—one example, being “The Joys of Children’s Literature” as part of her farewell for the summer address. Sarah Petterson embraces advancements in technology (Twitter, Kidblog, and Facebook), while insisting on informed, safe and appropriate communication for her students. As an administrator, she has used technology to make herself much more accessible to her staff and parents.
High School Principal of the Year Garth Steedman Eatonville High School Eatonville School District Some of the strengths of our 2012 Outstanding High School Principal have been described as “his ability to see the big picture, lead with consistency, and confidence and embrace new ideas to enrich our school community, AND he values the library as an integral piece of our school community.” He shows his commitment to Library Information and Technology (LIT) student standards by fully budgeting and staffing the library’s extended hours, despite cuts to funding. Over the last 2 years, Eatonville High School has remained ahead of the curve in their development of Power Standards investigation of standards-referenced grading, and balanced assessment. From the start, Garth
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Steedman included the library in the process, regularly creating involvement opportunities for his teacherlibrarian, which demonstrates the value he places on the teacher-librarian as leader. He encouraged his teacherlibrarian to create power standards for the overall library program, referencing at least seven sources of information literacy standards. This work, while tying the library to the work of the school through goals and evidence, continues to strengthen the library program. In addition, Garth Steedman supports a new program where student library assistants may earn CTE credits and even college credit is now in place because of Mr. Steedman’s leadership. Thanks to Garth Steedman’s leadership, the library, once an area of sporadic use for last minute needs, is now one of intentional, meaningful work, where students and teachers jockey for opportunities provided by the LIT program. VOL 37 NO. 2
WLMA Awards
Supervisor of the Year Ryan Theodoriches Evergreen Public Schools Vancouver, WA Ryan Theodoriches serves a very large district in which he wears many hats. He worked hard to understand the true role of a teacher-librarian along with the importance of a vital library program, and he has done what is best for the education of our students and library patrons. He has been instrumental in positive change through, among other things, his coordination of the revamping of the teacher‑librarian role in his district. He engages his teacher-librarians to teach workshops and provide in-services. In addition, he coordinated at
least eight technology trainings for his teacher-librarian staff, which demonstrates his commitment to their professional growth. In the eight nominating letters received for Ryan, these words were consistently used to describe him: servant leader, respectful, proactive, calm, professional, objective, an inspiration, a gift, and a blessing. During National Library Week, Ryan addressed the school board and shared his personal understanding of the importance of a strong Library Information and Technology (LIT) program. During his address, he likened libraries to the beating heart of a school—without which learning suffers and a school is not truly alive.
Washington Library Media Association President’s Award Suzanne Carney, Barb Engvall and R. Jean Gustafson Selah School District Suzanne Carney, Barb Engvall and R. Jean Gustafson, teacher-librarians from Selah, received the Washington Library Media Association President’s Award at the annual conference held in Yakima on October 12. Association President Craig Seasholes presented the award declaring, “These three teacher-librarians go the extra mile for Selah students and their schools.” President Seasholes continued by sharing how early last summer, after school had adjourned for the year, Suzanne Carney, Barb Engvall and R. Jean Gustafson spotted an opportunity to advocate for Library Information and Technology (LIT) programs and mobilized ideas, information and allies to attend
the local school board meeting. During the meeting, the group they rallied together spoke in support of maintaining and strengthening library services for all of Selah’s students. In addition, their efforts dovetailed with the article “Librarians defend position in school in face of budget cuts” by Dan Catchpole that was published on July 5, 2012 in the Yakima Herald Republic. During the presentation, Seasholes noted, “The Selah librarians are a great example of the essential role of teacher-librarians in today’s educational environment. Skilled teachers, savvy technologists and tireless advocates for student learning Jean, Barb and Suzanne deserve this award and support as they continue their work in Selah public school libraries.”
Nominate a Deserving Person for a WLMA Award Every year, WLMA recognizes individuals like the ones listed above and we need your help. Take a few moments to review the WLMA awards, reflect on those people you know that make a difference in school libraries and then nominate them for an award. Get started by viewing the “WLMA Awards” web page.
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Empowering Student Learning: Information Literacy
Teacher-Librarian: A Common Core Cadre by Morgen Larsen
School districts statewide are working quickly to meet Common Core Cadre (TLC3) training sessions. All the curricular, instructional and technological challenges materials and supplies will be provided by Washington of Common Core adoption. What is Common Core State Library and clock hours will be available free and what does it mean for educators in Washington of charge. If you are interesting in receiving more State? Common Core State Standards (CCSS) provide information about these regional training sessions, a consistent, clear understanding of what students are please visit WLMA’s Common Core Standards web expected to learn. These standards currently focus page for links to resources, contact information and to on Math and English Language Arts (ELA) and are join the TLC3 cadre. designed to be robust and relevant to the real world. Unlike previous educational movements, CCSS do not dictate how and what teachers teach. Instead, CCSS establish building blocks of learning that spiral throughout a student’s K-12 education, preparing students for success in college and the workforce. CCSS is not a Federal initiative or mandate. Common Core is a collaborative effort between 46 states and Western Samoa. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) established a CCSS Implementation Timeline in 2010. We are now in Phase 3: Building State & District Capacity and Classroom Transitions (Fig. 1) preparing our districts and schools for full-scale adoption and student assessment during the 2014-15 Figure 1. Washington State Common Core State Standards Implementation Timeline, Office of school year. Superintendant of Public Instruction: Teaching and Learning (2012) Washington State Library with the support and cooperation of the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), Washington Library Media Association (WLMA) and state-wide Educational Service Districts (ESDs) are References working together to maximize Common Core training “Common Core State Standards” Washington Library and awareness while simultaneously identifying areas of Media Association. Accessed January 1, 2013. need by region. http://www.wlma.org/ccss Starting with the WLMA regional meetings in March and April of 2013, and continuing in ESD summer institutes in the summer of 2013 and 2014, Morgen Larsen is the Teacher-Librarian at Greenacres Elementary in teacher-librarians throughout Washington will be the Central Valley School District. E-mail: Mlarsen@cvsd.org. able to participate in several 3-hour Teacher-Librarian
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VOL 37 NO. 2
Legislative Liaison: Sara Glass
A New Year’s Resolution: Get More Involved
Last year I made a New Year’s resolution to get more involved in Washington Library Media Association (WLMA) and to proactively promote my school library more. Now looking forward to my new role as a WLMA Executive Board member working with YOU for WLMA advocacy, I wanted to share what worked for my library program in case you can use any of these ideas in 2013. First, I want to assure you these can be done within our busy schedules. I teach six classes/day (ADK-6) for 43 minutes Monday-Thursday and on Friday, I teach technology (from the standards) to six classes for half an hour. I spend my planning period shelving and repairing books and being interrupted constantly! So, these tips are guaranteed to be FAST!
#1 Invite decision makers in to see your library in action at least once a semester. I did this as part of the 4th grade Civics CBA by having one elected official for each of the four classes. The elected officials had the option of coming for a single class or for all four. The photographer from our local newspaper attended one session. Others to consider inviting are your mayor or your local Chamber of Commerce (tie to math collaboration for older students). Inviting decision makers into your library helps make sure your library comes to mind when they think, “school library.” In addition, it is positive public relations for the officials (and your school administrators escorting them) to be seen out and about in school libraries!
#2 Take small, practical steps towards a bigger goal Despite teacher evaluations looming and the need for evidence of all we do for our schools, it seemed daunting to create fancy templates for my lessons. Instead, I made notes or scrawled a big star right in my plan book if something worked well (or did not work well!), and jotted quick notes for possible reflection later. I used a sticky note and left it sticking out so I could find the page again. Then I made the more elaborate template and/or wrote a better reflection for if/when needed.
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#3 Promote and improve your library website After that dynamic Library Girl session at the WLMA conference, I asked permission to add a Twitter feed to the library home page. It is up and running, and even though I only have two followers (one is a relative) it is a start. Do you have a photo app for your website? I started keeping my camera at school to take quick candid photos. I do the uploading at home since there is not time at school. This works well because there is now a dynamic “action” mood created when viewing the bottom of the home page because it showcases what we do every day.
#4 Washington Library Snapshot Day 2013 is April 7–20! Choose a date that works best for your school and district and invite others to get onboard. Resources and tips to help you promote this annual ALA sponsored grassroots advocacy event are available on Washington Library Snapshot wiki.
So, this was my resolution for last year and perhaps could be yours for 2013! Please e-mail me (address below) and share your ideas for promoting your library. In addition, visit the WLMA Advocacy and Outreach web page for useful links and updates.
References Snapshot: One Day in the Life of Washington’s Libraries, April 17-20, 2013. Accessed January 1, 2013. http://walibrarysnapshot.wikispaces.com “Advocacy and Outreach” Washington Library Media Association. Accessed January 1, 2013. http://wlma.org/advocacy
Sara Glass is the NBCT Teacher-Librarian at Peter G Schmidt Elementary, Tumwater SD. E-mail: sara.glass@tumwater.k12.wa.us.
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Empowering Student Learning: Information Literacy
The Unconference Discourse Model by Greg Bem
Let me sing! Because singing I will not see the shadowy buttes or the flock in the depths with no shepherds. Singing I will see the one star that doesn’t exist. Coming up to the mountaintop . . . singing. From “Mountaintop” by Federico Garcia Lorca The paradigm of the presenter and audience is historical. Most organized discourse models in education that we are familiar with (and comfortable experiencing) encourage the bifold instance of the single presenter, such as a teacher, speaker, or performer, and the single audience. In this short article, I argue the need to rethink this model not only for ourselves as educators and librarians learning from one another, but also for our models of education within our communities. Let us take a step back and think about the effectiveness of the staged presentation. While in many cases, the artful educator effectively brings out the most from an audience (a group of individuals learning together), we have all experienced the shortfalls. I encourage you to take a moment and turn away from the stage. Some of the greatest learning comes from the mouths of our peers through casual modes of communication. In grade school, students gather in the lunchroom, before and after class, on the bus or the playground or sports field, and share news and knowledge with one another. For the past ten years, with the normalization of extremely affordable mobile computing technology, and Internet access for a large and continually growing population (across the board), the discourse away from the stage transforms once again. Online digital environments, through horizontal empowerment and the penetrating functions of anonymity encourage new and natural discourse in constantly evolving digital spaces.
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Learning on the Internet is learning occurring away from the traditional presenter-audience model. The individual as learner and the individual as teacher, through the vortex of the Internet and group dynamics, are stronger than ever. Organized education and discourse models previously optimized by the presence of the stage are still relevant, but also not authoritative, not necessarily as effective or relevant as they were in the 20th Century. With the shifts of the Internet, we are required to disband the stage conceptually in favor for a more open engagement model. As the title of this article suggests, I am in favor of the unconference model and think it suggests or even holds the essence of the response described as necessary in the preceding paragraphs. Conferences are intense learning experiences. For professionals, they are a chance to socially engage contemporaries, experience advancements within the field or subject matter of the conference, and challenge assumptions of previous and current bodies of knowledge. The conference, as I am sure readers are familiar with, typically occurs across several days and is broken down into previously‑established sessions that can either provide A) a stage with a single presenter or groups of presenters in front of an audience, or B) moderated discussions groups pertaining to particular interests. The unconference is similar in scope of content and time constraints; however, its goal is equality of presenter and audience through a smooth disbanding of both. There are multiple variations of the unconference, just as there are for the traditional conference, but I am only versed in two—InfoCamp Seattle and American Library Association. The first unconference I went to was in fall of 2011 and was InfoCamp Seattle. This unconference occurs over an October weekend on the University of Washington campus. It begins with an introduction by one of the founders/organizers, followed by a keynote presentation by a relatively influential Information Professional. After the general programming occurs, they invite conference attendees to spontaneously come forward with sessions they want to host. No one formally establishes sessions before the conference itself, which makes for an exciting and generative space of creativity and impromptu surprises. VOL 37 NO. 2
The individual sessions, run by all manner of person from all manner of perspectives and experience, occur in blocks throughout the course of the two days. Each day is broken down into two halves with the first half of the sessions established after the keynote, and the second half of the sessions organized and announced immediately before lunch. Sessions are short (roughly 45 minutes to an hour), and range from think tank style brainstorming breakouts to group discussions to PowerPoint presentations. During each of the sessions I attended during that first InfoCamp as well as the 2012 InfoCamp, the focus was always on the body of individuals operating on a similar spontaneous playing field. Individual perspectives were constantly reinforced and empowered. At InfoCamp, anything is possible and anything goes. Moreover, just like a traditional conference, if you are unimpressed by a particular session, you are allowed and respected if you leave it to find a more suitable session. Every session I went to was awe-inspiring in the meta qualities of discourse, and I never felt the need to find a replacement session. In June 2012, I attended my first American Library Association (ALA) conference in Anaheim, California and experienced my second unconference. Having already experienced the glory of InfoCamp Seattle, I found myself drawn to the unconference session at the beginning of the conference. ALA’s Unconference is much different than InfoCamp, but with similar tenants of discourse. The session occurs within a single large room. Approximately one hundred people showed up at the beginning of the unconference. A moderator described the unconference model and then listed topics that the audience wanted to discuss on a display. After announcing roughly ten topics and assigning each to tables in the room, participants had the opportunity to join a table of their choice. The first conversation period of the unconference was limited to twenty minutes. Latecomers to the session had to find their way to an open table and join the open conversation naturally. At any point in time, a participant could move from table to table if they found the conversation uninteresting or different from what they expected. Topics ranged from library marketing, digitization, intellectual freedom, library websites, to name a few. After the first round of conversations met the time limit, the moderator called the room together and pulled a new list of topics for conversation together. The unconference lasted two full conversation periods. Like InfoCamp, I found myself glued to my seat and enthralled in the spontaneous conversations and the discourse engagement occurring at each of the tables. Witnessing each participant’s perspective provided incredible inspiration and encouragement to present my own. I was an empowered learner and an empowered educator. As educators and stakeholders of education, we are by duty, implicitly bound to enhance the lives WINTER 2013
of others. The easiest way to identify experimental discourse models that challenge preconceived notions is to attempt and, potentially, adopt the models first. The unconference model in any form it ultimately takes, accommodates the growing importance of communication via the Internet and the need to redefine discourse in real life. I encourage educators and Washington librarians to consider the unconference. Consider it not only as a potentially beneficial mode of communication for yourself in a conference environment, but as a gateway into transforming how you personally influence the processes of formal and informal education in your communities.
Works Cited García Lorca, Federico. 2002. Collected poems. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
References InfoCamp Seattle. “InfoCamp 2012.” InfoCamp Seattle. Accessed February 23, 2013. http://seattle.infocamp.org/blog/. American Library Association. “Annual 2012 Unconference.” American Library Association. Accessed February 23, 2013. http://ala12.scheduler.ala.org/node/1650. Greg Bem is an MLIS Student of the iSchool, at the University of Washington, which is the subject of his blog, The Wet Info Track: My rainy adventure as an online MLIS student at the UW iSchool (http:// wetinfo.wordpress.com/ ). Greg also serves as the WLMA Student Liason and is a poet with his own website Seattle Poet Greg Bem (http://gregbem.com/wordpress/). E-mail: gbem419@uw.edu.
WLMA Scholarships Available Washington Library Media Association offers several scholarships for teacher-librarians, library paraprofessionals and for teachers intending on becoming teacher-librarians. All application documents must be submitted and received by the Scholarship Chair, Susan Kaphammer, by April 5, 2013. For more information, please visit “2013 WLMA Scholarships.”
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President… [ continued from page 4 ]
justification for following the standard conference format was that Preconference had always paid for itself and had always been well attended. With the 2012 conference behind us, extending the conference on Saturday needs to be addressed.
Restructuring Ahead!
Another important question was “If WLMA Conference were restructured, what would you advise?” Overwhelmingly again, with 156 votes, members voted for preconference to take place on Friday, with Saturday being a conference day. You may wonder, “Why didn’t this happen in October 2012?” The WLMA conference, as it is currently, is set up to allow for a full board meeting, a business lunch, and three author meals. The three author meals have been major reading advocacy events for each work level. Repositioning those five events in March at such a late time period was impossible for the volunteer conference committee. We hope this year with more time and a fluid vigorous budget that those considerations may be honored.
We are Listening
Members voted overwhelmingly that WLMA conferences should not be discontinued beyond 2012. Just recently, at the November 17, 2012 Executive Committee meeting, the decision was made to hold the 2014 conference in Yakima. Our members voted in the survey to have WLMA maintain a presence at future NCCE Conferences. This was a focus at our January Executive Committee meeting. We have a history of working with NCCE and both organizations have benefitted from our collaboration. There have been many changes over the years concerning our conferences. Just by talking to long established WLMA members who have been involved in conference planning, one finds out that the past 5 years’ format has not always been the standard. We need your input and your willingness to volunteer in order to turn our annual conference into what you would like it to be. Our Conference Chair this year is President-elect Anne Bingham. Please contact Anne to volunteer your talents for an extraordinary conference in October 2013.
President-elect… [ continued from page 5 ]
are all scheduled in Yakima--a central and successful conference venue. This stability gives us the opportunity to imagine and experiment with alternate conference models at other times of the year. I am chair of this committee and will be putting out a call for members. I would appreciate it if you would join this discussion of how WLMA can serve all its members, how to bridge geographic and funding challenges, and how we can use social media and digital tools to connect people in relevant trainings.
Conference 2013
The 2012 conference in Yakima was extremely successful, well attended, with high-quality programs
and lots of excitement and enthusiasm. When I think of WLMA and conference planning, I imagine many people and whirling dervishes of activity magically working together with everything falling finally in place. For this reason I have chosen a colorful image of gears for our conference logo with our triumvirate strengths of “Library, Information, and Technology: Working Together” as our theme. I imagine this works on three levels: showcasing our primary functions as teacherlibrarians; highlighting our central importance to the success of the school community; and emphasizing the strength of our professional network. I am looking forward to developing the conference and its theme, and to working with all of you.
Advertise and Reach a Large Target Audience! Washington Library Media Association (WLMA) offers space in each issue of the MEDIUM for advertisers. The print issues of the MEDIUM go out to all WLMA members. The E-MEDIUM reaches all WLMA members, any visitors to our website and anyone that visits the WLMA Journal on ISSUU. The advertising guidelines and contact information are listed on the WLMA “MEDIUM Guidlines” web page. Place your ad now for the Spring issue and reach your target audience!
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VOL 37 NO. 2
Library News
Emeritus Member William (Bill) C. Towner On February 14, 2013, Washington Library Media Association member Bill Towner passes away. Bill worked in the Seattle School District starting as a classroom teacher at Harrison Elementary and then as a librarian at Lake City Elementary, Eckstein Middle School and then Kimball Elementary School. In 1993, Washington Library Association (WLMA) honored
Bill with Library Media Specialist of the Year award. Upon his retirement, Kimball Elementary honored Bill by naming the school’s library the “William C. Towner Library Media Center.” In addition, WLMA honored Bill for his devotion to school libraries by bestowing upon him Emeritus status. Although retired, Bill continued to attend WLMA’s Annual Conference and he touched the lives of many with his love for libraries and literature. Online obituary: http://www.legacy. com/obituaries/seattletimes/obituary.aspx?n=william-ctowner&pid=163247791#fbLoggedOut.
Nine Teacher-Librarians Become NBCT Did you know that Washington state ranks fourth nationwide with 6,739 National Board Certified Teachers? In addition, 131 of the National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) are teacher –librarians with 9 of those earning their National Board Certified Teacher in Library Media/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood in 2012. Congratulations to the following nine teacher-librarians for becoming National Board Certified Teachers in 2012:
Debbie Hitchcock-Rock, North Kitsap School District 400
Catherine Buchanan, San Juan Island School District 149
John Sadzewicz, Mt. Vernon School District 320
Kevin Erickson Suenkel, Evergreen School District 114
Mary VanderPloeg, Vancouver School District 37
Shana Ferguson, Vancouver School District 37 Janet Griffin, Lake Washington School District 414
Hallie Johnston, Tacoma School District 10 Kathleen Pazaski, Lake Washington School District 414
New WLMA Opportunity: MEDIUM Editor Position In December, we received the news that Alice McNeer accepted the position of Communication Director at her school. While we congratulate her on her new position, Alice has decided to step down as Washington Library Media Association (WLMA) MEDIUM Editor. Alice has been a great credit to our organization, working with the officers of WLMA to create our association’s professional journal over the past ten years. The MEDIUM provides an effective instrument of communication to the membership. This year, the Executive Committee voted to make the MEDIUM available to anyone who visits our website. We believe that sponsors will appreciate having their MEDIUM advertisements available to visitors. We also want to share information of our organization and use the MEDIUM along with the website as an instrument for advocacy. The position of MEDIUM Editor allows a WLMA member to: • Confer with the President and President-Elect • Confer with the Advertising Manager, Associate Editor and Webmaster WINTER 2013
• • • • • •
Network, follow up leads and delegate Accumulate and write information of interest Determine cover art ideas Gather art ideas Work with both print and digital formats Confer and collaborate with the conference committee and local arrangements
Qualifications: Strong English and editing skills. Experience using InDesign and Photoshop Understanding of print and digital publishing requirements. Other graphic art/design and editing skills strongly desired. The Medium Editor serves on the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors and the Conference Committee. Serving in this manner affords the person a great network with other teacher-librarians and insight into the cutting edge of policies, advocacy and educational issues in regards to school library programs. For more information or to volunteer, please contact WLMA President Leigh Lohrasbi (leigh.lohrasbi@gmail.com). MEDIUM | 15
Planbook
Conferences
Calendar
WLMA
WLMA
2013
Meetings
2013 Fall Conference
March
Executive Committee Meetings
April
April
October 17–19 Title Yakima, WA
19 – 22: International Reading Association San Antonio, TX www.reading.org
June
27 – July 2: ALA Annual Conference Chicago, IL. www.alaannual.org 23 – 26: ISTE 2011 Conference San Antonio, TX www.iste.org/conference.aspx
October
27 – 30: AASL Conference Hartford, CT www.ala.org/aasl
2014 January
24 – 28: ALA Midwinter Meeting Seattle, WA www.ala.org
March
12 – 15: NCCE Conference Seattle, WA www.ncce.org
01: Read Across America 15: Evergreen Young Adult Book Award ballots due. School Library Month 01: Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award and Sasquatch Reading Award ballots due. 07 – 20: Washington Library Snapshot Day 14 – 20: National Library Week and Washington Library Snapshot Day 15: Young Reader’s Choice Award ballots due.
July
01: WLMA Administrator/Special Recognition of the Year and Outstanding Teacher‑Librarian Award nominations due.
September
01: WLMA Emeritus Award nominations due. 30: Banned Books Week Begins
October
13: Teen Read Week Begins
2014 February
01: Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award and Young Reader’s Choice Award book nominations due.
May 18, Central Washington University, Ellensburg September 8, Central Washington University, Ellensburg
Board of Directors Meetings
March 16, Central Washington University, Ellensburg October 17, 2 Fall Conference Yakima, WA
Executive Committee President Leigh Lohrasbi, Yakima President-Elect Anne Bingham, Seattle Immediate Past President Craig Seasholes, Seattle Vice President Sharyn Merrigan, Olympia Treasurer Merrilyn Tucker, Shoreline Secretary Alyse Fritz, Eatonville Medium Editor Alice McNeer, Bellevue Membership Chair Pat McKinley, Cheney Elementary Level Chair Jan Copeland, Bethel Middle / Jr. High Level Chair Carrie Willenbring, Bethel Senior Level Chair Eileen Ray, Toppenish Higher Education Co-chairs Lorraine Bruce, UW Leaona Lindvig, CWU Small Dist. / Private Schools Chair Anna Wiggs, Seattle Webmaster Trish Henry, Spokane OSPI Liaison* Gayle Pauley, Olympia Legislative Chair/Advocacy* Sara Glass, Tumwater Listserv Administrator* Lisa Gallinatti, Auburn *Advisory/non voting positions
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VOL 37 NO. 2
Washington Library Media Association
2013 Fall Conference October 17, 18 & 19 Yakima Convention Center Yakima, Washington
Attn: Merrilyn Tucker 10924 Mukilteo Speedway PMB 142 Mukilteo, WA 98275
MACKIN
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
800.245.9540