Available on the website at <http://www.oasl.info>
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Volume 20, Number 7 March, 2008
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FROM THE MEMBERSHIP
1. Speaker for Fall Conference ---- Carol Mackey
2. OASL Awards deadline ----Erin Fitzpatrick-Bjorn
3. 2008 Fall Joint Conference - Elect to Lead - at the Oregon Convention Center.
---- Sheryl Steinke
4. Sad news ---- Barbara Guerrero
5. Display suggestion ---- Janet Setness
6. News from OBOB:---- Debbie Alvarez
7. Four Ways to Reach Out to ESL Students ---- Betsy Powell
8. Portland State Spring Schedule ---- Ruth Murray
FROM THE STATE
1. EVELYN SIBLEY LAMPMAN AWARD NOMINATIONS ----- Stephanie Miller (OLA Hotline)
2. Library - Achievement connection ---- Diedre Conkling (Libs-OR)
3. ALA Washington Office Debuts Legislative Scorecard 2007 ---- Diedre Conkling (Libs-OR)
4. Reflections from the state librarian ---- Jim Scheppke
FROM ALA and AASL
1. Rally for School Library Reform Held in Olympia, Washington ---- AASL Hotlinks
2. Improving Literacy through School Libraries ---- AASL Hotlinks
3. Recut, Reframe, Recycle ---- AASL Hotlinks
ADDENDUM
1. OSLIS 2 Debut ---- Patty Sorensen
2. Flood Relief Book Drive an Enormous Success ---- Andrea Keifer
3. ILTSL deadline reminder ---- Steve Baker
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FROM THE PRESIDENT --- Gregory Lum
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From the President's Desktop Laptop
By Gregory Lum, OASL President
Last month I attended two regional conferences. Thank you to Chris Myers, Oregon Episcopal School; and Carol Dinges, Lebanon High School for hosting their respective regional conferences. If you live in regions 5, 6, or 7, you still have the opportunity to learn about OSLIS 2.0 and other library topics. The Region 5 conference will be at Grants Pass High School in Grants Pass on March 15th; and Region 6 & 7 joint conference will be at Westside Elementary School in Madras on April 5th. Whether it is the JSEA conference in Phoenix or an OASL regional conference, I enjoy connecting with fellow library personnel, learning about new technologies, checking out the new products with exhibitors, and listening to authors and special speakers at these smaller venues.
Last Saturday, the first of several regional Oregon Battle of the Books competitions was held at West Orient Middle School in Gresham. Thanks to Erin Fitzpatrick-Bjorn for hosting Region 4's competition. Upcoming regional competitions include Region 1 competition at Jesuit High School in Portland on March 15th; Region 2 competition at Linus Pauling Middle School in Corvallis on March 15th; Region 3 competition at Roseburg High School on March 15th. Teams in regions 5, 6, and 7 will not participate in regional competitions, but advance directly to the state battle on April 19th at Chemeketa Community College in Salem. If you would like to volunteer at the regional competition in your area, please contact Debbie Alvarez, OBOB chair, at Deborah_Alvarez@beavton.k12.or.us.
Happy Belated Birthday, Dr. Seuss! Spring Break is just around the corner. Keep smiling!
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FROM THE MEMBERSHIP
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1. Speaker for Fall Conference ---- Carol Mackey
Pulitzer Prize winner Frank McCourt is the Friday night dinner speaker
for our 2008 Joint OASL/WLMA Conference in Portland. McCourt received the
Pulitzer (1997) and National Book Circle Award (1996) for his memoir Angela's
Ashes, which details his childhood as a poor Irish Catholic in Limerick,
Ireland. 'Tis (1999) continues the narrative of his life, picking up
from the end of the previous book and focusing on life as a new immigrant
in America. Teacher Man (2005) details the challenges of being a young,
uncertain teacher who must impart knowledge to his students.
Be sure to put the evening of Friday, October 10, 2008 on your calendar
so you don't miss the speaker of the year! You might also want to stay
around and attend McCourt's concurrent session and/or book signing on
Saturday morning.
For pictures and more information go to:
http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/mcc1bio-1
2. OASL Awards deadline March 7 ----Erin Fitzpatrick-Bjorn
Nominees for OASL awards: remember your application packets must be completed and postmarked by March 7th. A postmark of March 7th is also the deadline for nominations for Administrator of the Year. To nominate your building or district level administrator, write a letter of no more than two pages describing why he or she should get the award.
3. 2008 Fall Joint Conference - Elect to Lead - at the Oregon Convention Center. ---- Sheryl Steinke
This year's fall conference promises to be a special event that includes a lineup of presenters that you would hear at a national conference such as AASL. Frank McCourt will entertain us at the Fri. night banquet with an Irish lilt in his voice. Authors include Naomi Shihab Nye, Todd Strasser, John Green, Pete Hautman, Kevin Hawkes, Nina Laden, Justina Chen Headley and more. Extended sessions presenters include Debbie Abilock, Toni Buzzeo, Judy Freeman, Doug Johnson, Patrick Jones, Janet Murray, Peggy Sharp, Carol Simpson, Aaron Schmidt and more.
And here's where you come in. Concurrent sessions proposals are being accepted at the conference website http://oemawlma2008.org/. You are encouraged to submit a proposal. The committee has received a total of 11 proposals (5 from Oregon and 8 from Washington). Remember how much you learn from your peers when you attend conference sessions. You have just as much to share with others. The deadline for submitting proposals is March 31.4. Sad news ---- Barbara Guerrero
Carol Fewx, one of the two former owners of Jackson's Books, died last week. She had a fall in her home. The Statesman Journal referred to her as one of Salem's literary lions.
5. Display suggestion ---- Janet Setness
LOVE LOVE LOVE All You Need is Love..6. News from OBOB:---- Debbie Alvarez
High School Survey: If you are in a high school, would you please take this survey? Thanks very much, it will help the OBOB team make vital decisions.
SURVEY LINK : https://web.memberclicks.com/mc/quickForm/viewForm.do?orgId=oema&formId=40436
The OBOB Committee selected dates for OBOB Regional Competitions and State Competitions for 2008-2009:We still have these events coming up:
March 1, 2008- Region 4 Competition: Anyone who would be able to come and help manage we'll take the support!
March 15, 2008- Region 1, 2, 3 Competitions: Anyone who is able to come and help at one of these to manage we'll take the support!
April 19, 2008- State OBOB Competition: Location: Chemeketa Community College: Anyone who would be able to come and help manage will be welcomed. We need the support!
The OBOB website and the OBOB WIKI are constantly be updated.
The latest update on the OBOB website was the list of OBOB Grant recipients for
2008-2009 and a calendar of future events- including links to directions/maps.
The WIKI has the newest selection of titles for 08-09 (not complete, will be done in April) and
others we are reviewing. Please drop in and view them:
http://www.oema.net/OBOB/ and http://oboblsta.pbwiki.com/FrontPage
7. Four Ways to Reach Out to ESL Students ---- Betsy Powell
8. Portland State Spring Schedule ---- Ruth Murray
Spring Library Media Classes- Some great classes coming up at PSU- Online, half and half, or face to face, weekend, there are a variety of choices. The online registration period runs from Feb. 18 through Apr. 6, 2008. Go to Spring Library Media Classes- Some great classes coming up at PSU- Online, half and half, or face to face, weekend, there are a variety of choices. The online registration period runs from Feb. 18 through Apr. 6, 2008. Go to www.pdx.edu. Questions contact Deanna Draper at draperd@pdx.edu or Ruth Murray at murrayr@pdx.edu.Literature for At-Risk Students
Instructor: Dolores Johnston
F 4:30pm-8:30pm May 9
Sa 9am-4pm May 10 +TBA
Graduate or Undergraduate
You will develop an understanding of the themes and characteristics of the at-risk student in children's and young adult literature and gain a broad knowledge of superb youth literature (K-12) in the last five years. You will experience a variety of techniques for engaging the at-risk reluctant and/or struggling reader through this poetry, fiction and non-fiction literature.
Picture Books and Information Literacy
Instructor: Cindy Reed
F 4:30pm-8:30pm Apr 4
Sa 9am-4pm Apr 5 +TBA
Graduate or Undergraduate
Develop strategies in using fiction and nonfiction picture books to integrate information literacy skills into curriculum areas. Create interdisciplinary units of study integrating library skills and content areas. Please bring 3-4 of your favorite picture books to class on Saturday to use as the basis for your individual project.
Children_s Literature K-5
Instructor: Dolores Johnston
Mar 31-Jun 14 Fully online
Materials grades K-5.
Traditional genres such as picture books, traditional tales, modern realism, romance, adventure, mystery, historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, biography, poetry, and nonfiction. Study of literature that illustrates cultural diversity. Resources for selection; awards and honors.
Computers and Advanced Technology
Instructor: JoAnn Klassen
Tu 6:30pm-8:30pm Apr 1, May 6, Jun 10 +online
Analyze and study the role of computers and advanced technology in the library media center and classroom. Administrative uses as well as curriculum development are studied for the technology.
Contemporary Children's and Young Adult Literature
Instructor: Barbara Rubens
W 4pm-6:30pm Apr 2-Jun 11- On Campus
Analyze and study contemporary children's and young adult literature as well as study trends and styles in modern literature. Includes picture books, fiction, and nonfiction featuring contemporary authors and illustrators.
Graduate-level course may be used as an elective in the ReadOregon Endorsement program
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FROM THE STATE
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1. EVELYN SIBLEY LAMPMAN AWARD NOMINATIONS ----- Stephanie Miller (OLA Hotline)
If you know an Oregon author, librarian or educator who has made a significant contribution in the areas of literature and/or library service for the benefit of the children of Oregon, nominate her or him for the 2008 Evelyn Sibley Lampman Award.To be eligible for the award:
*The person shall reside principally in Oregon.
*The award shall be given for personal accomplishments to recognize the individual's contribution and shall not be conferred upon an individual representing the accomplishments of many.
*Only living persons may be considered for the award.
2. Library - Achievement connection ---- Diedre Conkling (Libs-OR)
PRESS RELEASE from the Washington Office -- New study reaffirms link between school librarians, academic achievement
(NO DUH! _ editorial comment)
Language test scores in New York State schools with certified librarians
are higher than in those schools without librarians, according to preliminary
research findings from Syracuse University's School of InformationStudies.
The research was conducted on schools giving the English Language Arts test,
which is administered by New York State to fourth graders [...]
To view this post in its entirety, please follow the link below:
http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=376.
3. ALA Washington Office Debuts Legislative Scorecard 2007 ---- Diedre Conkling (Libs-OR)
ALA members often inquire as to how their Members of Congress voted on issues of particular importance to libraries. In response, the ALA Washington Office has created the Legislative Scorecard. Covering votes from 2007, the scorecard lists several key pieces of federal library-related legislation that ALA supported, and places a check mark beside the names of [...]4. Reflections from the State Librarian ---- Jim Scheppke
(The following comments were taken from a letter Jim Scheppke wrote in the February "Letters to Libraries Online" in which, in the spirit of Valentine's Day, he explores why he finds librarians endearing.)I think it is because librarians are so endearing that we were named one of 31 Best Careers for 2008 by U.S. News & World Report: "Librarians these days must be high-tech information sleuths, helping researchers plumb the oceans of information available in books and digital records. It's a underrated career." Unlike attorneys, physicians, and architects, careers U.S. News considers "overrated".
And then there is the best evidence of all that librarians and libraries are endearing and beloved, respectively. The cover story in the February issue of WIRED magazine is "Why Things Suck, the 33 Things that Make Us Crazy." And there, much to my delight, in a sidebar entitled, "Things that Don't Suck" are public libraries! That the uber-hip, high tech editors of WIRED would put libraries in this category is a real breakthrough, I think. We are right in there with farmer's markets, Netflix, Guitar Hero, bicycles, and ice cream, no less.
Feel the love. Æ Jim Scheppke>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
FROM ALA, AASL and BEYOND
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1.Rally for School Library Reform Held in Olympia, Washington ---- AASL Hotlinks
A rally was held February 1 in Olympia, Washington, in support of school library funding and staffing reform, which would give all Washington students full-time access to school libraries and certified school library media specialists. The rally called for equitable funding, citing data that shows that funding for school libraries and the media specialists who staff them is declining as their value is more fully documented.
The Washington campaign, known as "Fund our Future Washington," is the creation of three determined Spokane mothers who have worked to make school libraries a state funding priority. Beginning with a petition drive, the mothers created an organization called the Washington Coalition of School Libraries and Information Technology.
For more information on the rally and the history leading up to the event, please see: http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/currentnews/newsarchive/2008/february2008/spokanemoms.cfm.
2. Improving Literacy through School Libraries ---- AASL Hotlinks
The U.S. Department of Education's Improving Literacy Through School Libraries (LSL) Program focuses on providing funding to public school libraries in districts with 20.00 percent or more family poverty. Funds are used to improve reading achievement through updating the library collection, expanding Internet connections, purchasing new technology, providing professional development for library media specialists, and extending school library hours.
More information about this program can be found on the program's Web site at:3. Recut, Reframe, Recycle ---- AASL Hotlinks
The Center for Social Media at American University has published a report titled "Recut, Reframe, Recycle: Quoting Copyrighted Material in User-Generated Video." The report demonstrates that many uses of copyrighted material in today's online videos are eligible for fair use consideration.
View the report at: http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/recut_reframe_recycle>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
ADDENDUM
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1. OSLIS 2 Debut ---- Patty Sorensen
The OSLIS team would like to thank all of you for your patience!
The much awaited OSLIS 2 debut is getting closer and closer. As we address the final tasks necessary for all the various functions
to work together, we've been running into conflicts that have to be resolved for OSLIS 2 to have the dynamic power of being interactive.
Various testers have provided input that we are using to ensure a better site for users. We are sure that once you begin working on
the new site, you'll understand how complex it is in terms of interactions. Watch for an article in the upcoming Interchange
which will explain many of the bells and whistles that make OSLIS 2 such a complex technology tool. The OSLIS website has actually
been divided into four different sites: one for elementary students; one for secondary students; one for elementary educators; and one for
secondary educators. We tried to keep many of the functions similar so the resources link to the EBSCO, Oregonian, L-Net resources is
still on the right side in a colored box. The search box is still on the site and works even better than before. It is
now near the top of the screen and when you begin typing in your query, it starts showing you possible resources
that you might be looking! There is a FEEDBACK link on each screen so that if you are on a page that has a problem
such as a dead link, misspelling, etc. you click on the Feedback at the top of the screen and it provides you with
a form to quickly fill out. Then the OSLIS contact receives an email with the exact link to the page that has
the problem!
You just won't believe all that you will be able to do with OSLIS 2.0! After OSLIS 2 debuts the current OSLIS
website will be available to users until July of 2008 at the website address of http://old.oslis.org.
2. Flood Relief Book Drive an Enormous Success ---- Andrea Keifer
Thanks to all the generosity of what must be thousands of people! I am surrounded in my workplace by a few tons of books - and
that is probably not an exaggeration!
The Vernonia kids are back now on their own campus; many are attending school in modular buildings sent from all
over the state. The high school library mod is small but will soon house many donated items. Efforts to process
the mountains of books are slow but NWRESD staff and volunteers are making progress.
There is still a need for current, relevant nonfiction materials at the high school level in particular. I recently
costed out a replacement collection of just their history materials. The total cost of 393 shelf-ready books is
just under $10,000. This is only a fraction of the need there.
I would like to you to encourage monetary donations from this point forward.
Donations can be sent directly to :
the Vernonia School District Office,
care of Marie Knight at 475 Bridge St, Vernonia, OR 97064.
3. ILTSL deadline reminder ---- Steve Baker
The ILTSL's ( Improving Literacy Through School Libraries) has a deadline of Friday March 7.
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Monthly NewsletterOregon Association of School Libraries