Electronic Newsletter of The
Oregon Educational Media Association
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Volume 19 No.3
November,
2006
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CONTENTS:
the "official" letter
----- Allan Kopf
1. Legislative Day ---- Jim Tindall
2. OEMA Silent Auction --- Gregory Lum
3. OEMA Author --- Sybilla Cook
4. "Battle of the Books" Could Win the War for School Libraries --- Emily Crawford
5. From Newport to Saudi Arabia --- Doug Hoffman
6. Librarians brave conference hotel fire --- Linda Ague
WHAT'S NEW! WHAT'S GOOD! WHAT'S FUN!
1. State Library's library science collection --- Arturo Guilllero
2. From the state librarian on libs-or ---- Jim Scheppke
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FROM THE
PRESIDENT --- Allen Kopf
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During the fall conference OEMA received good news. The Oregon State Library Board of Trustees approved funding for OEMA's LSTA
grant application for "Oregon Battle of the Books." The Oregon Battle of the Books Committee, an OEMA ad hoc committee, will have
met for the first time on Saturday, November 4, 2006.
If you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact me.
kopf@umatilla.k12.or.us
This year the OEMA Full Board is working on five goals. They are:
Plans and strategies are also underway to meet the other goals. Those of you who answered the survey at the conference told us that goal #2 was most important to you. The Board spent time at Fall Board meeting developing plans to work on this goal. The OEMA Awards committee is working on the goal to honor districts who have met staffing on QEM. Another committee, chaired by Gregory Lum, OEMA President-elect recently held a conference meeting on the web with a vendor who can provide software for us that will help us meet goal #4. The legislative committee has been working on goal #5 and announced that the Oregon Library Legislative Day is on Wednesday, February 7, 2007. Please put that date on your calendar. If you can attend, please contact Jim Tindall.
I want to wish all of you the best as you take a few days with your families to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Allen
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OSLIS UPDATE --- Patty Sorensen
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I recently attended the yearly Oregon/Washington conference of ACRL (Association of College Research Librarians). It was titled, "Resistance is Futile: Academia Meets the NeXt Generation." I wish every one of you could have been there. There are many topics that were relevant to both K-12 and university librarians.
1-Information Literacy
Rather than using the Big6 information literacy model, many universities use the Information Search Process (ISP)
by Carol Kuhlthau.
Check it out at: http://eduscapes.com/info/isp.html
" Knowledge is constructed, not borrowed." This statement really caught my attention. Rather than giving students basic assignments that they complete by borrowing information from others, students should be spending more time in the background research model. Instead of coming up with a topic and then researching it, research tasks focus should be on coming up with a topic of interest and then exploring it. Taking time to gain background information. This is the time when a tool like Wikipedia can be used. The next step is to refine the research topic to an "essential question". At this point then students should begin their research for authoritative, reliable information sources that help them answer their question. They should move past resources that provide general information on their topic. Another key component is to be sure to include checkpoints either via conversations or journaling, etc. which ask the student to explain the process they have gone through to gain their background information and how that differed from their actual research. This will allow the instructor to ensure that students actually do the background search and research.
2-New Technologies
Presenters also spoke on using the newer technology tools such as instant messaging used for reference librarians similar to L-Net,
podcasts, wikis, blogging, etc. Basically the conversation continued to emphasize the fact that librarians do not have to be
well-versed users of these technologies. They may be if they find one of these tools to be beneficial in their professional or
personal life. We need to basically understand what they are used for so that if the need arises, we will know which of the newer
technology tools will be best suited to fill the need much like we do with all of our reference tools and other technologies.
To learn more about some of these newer technology tools, check out the resources at:
http://tep.uoregon.edu/workshops/events/year06-07/fall/blogswikispodcasts.html
Enjoy! --- Patty Sorensen
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1. Legislative Day
----- Jim Tindall
Oregon's Library Legislative Day has been set in stone and our Legislative Liaison is seeking your involvement in a day of meeting legislators who have an impact upon school, public, and academic libraries. Please look at your calendars: Wednesday 7 February 2007 in Salem. If you might be able to join OLA and OEMA in Salem that day-or for just a half a day- your energy and effort would benefit OEMA's ability to communicate effectively with Oregon's elected officials.
If, at this time, you are able to commit to participating, please let Jim Tindall know.
tindallj@nwasco.k12.or.us
wk phone (541) 296-4616 ext 1212
hm phone (509) 493-2495.
2.
OEMA Silent Auction ----- Gregory Lum
Thank you to all the participants of the OEMA Silent Auction at the fall conference in Salem. Some of the great items included the Captain Underpants Bag with books and bookmarks, wooden cutting boards in the shape of books, a one night stay in a hotel along the Columbia Gorge, and a beautiful print of a book. Over $1,000 was raised to benefit the legislative efforts for OEMA.
3. OEMA Author ----- Sybilla Cook
Some of you may remember former OEMA member Penny Clark, who used to be the library assistant at Elkton, She has just written a darling little picture book. Sadie, the Happy Little Green Frog , a bedtime story for preschoolers, is beautifully illustrated by Clark's niece, Randi Smith. There's enough repetition to make it an easy to read book, too.
The book can be ordered from:
Penny Clark at PO Box 565 Elkton OR 97436 for $13 including shipping.
4. "Battle of the Books" Could Win the War for School ----- Emily Crawford
Jim Scheppke, librarian of the Oregon State Library, received a grant to get 50 schools statewide to participate
in "Battle of the Books" next year. If enough schools participate, Oregon will have a state championship.
He feels "this is part of the answer to bringing librarians back so districts can see what we're doing."
Could this be the answer to cutbacks in the school library world?
Although school librarians have been working hard for some time to change their image and promote school libraries, progress seems slow. I have often thought we needed something "big" and newsworthy to get noticed but have been unable to come up with an idea that could be applied statewide.
This is the best idea I have heard for getting positive publicity for what we do every day in the school library. It is simple and practical, it has been done in other areas long enough to know it is successful, and there is support from the state library for schools that are just starting.
Although I am familiar with "Battle of the Books," I had not seen it in this light until I attended the OEMA's workshop presented by three Salem-Kaizer school district teacher-librarians, Lori Pederson, Libby Hamler-Dupras, and Karen Osborne. Between the three of them, they have over 75 years of experience in education.
Lori Pedersen has been a teacher-librarian for over 20 years and has been doing "Battle of the Books" for 13 years. She addressed one concern about students who are not avid readers being left out by saying, "Non-readers are motivated to become readers because they want to participate." Modifications can be made for students with special needs, "Hearing-impaired students were able to participate because "they can see the buzzer light up, " explained Lori. One side benefit of the program is building a sense of teamwork and cooperation, "It's more about "can you work together and take turns and let others answer" than individual attention," said Lori.
Scheppke added that this program could bring about a change in attitudes about the value of the school library and teacher-librarian among citizens with political clout, such as school board members, mayors, superintendents, principals, and so on. If the right people see the impact teacher-librarians have on students, they will be energized to tell their peers and add their support to school libraries.
This is how Scheppke got involved, "When you invite people to judge the championship, you invite people for political reasons to give them a chance to be a part of it and see for themselves what is really happening. How do you think I got involved?" He has been judging the Salem-Kaizer district championship for several years.
As I sat listening to all of this, I began to get very excited picturing the possibilities and what we could accomplish as a state and as districts if this initiative is successful. I knew this was something I had to be part of. When a sign-up sheet for more information was passed around, I was one of the first to sign it.
5. From Newport to Saudi Arabia ----- Doug Hoffman
Doug Hoffman, the Lincoln County School District's Media Specialist, has been invited to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
for a two week visit November 14-28th, 2006. The trip, hosted entirely by ARAMCO (Arabian American Oil Company) for their
"Educators to Saudi Arabia Program" will include twenty-five Social Studies teachers and Media Specialists from across the nation.
Hoffman will be traveling with the fourth group of American educators and future trips are being planned if others are interested.
http://www.iie.org/programs/aramco/
Hoffman, a teacher in the LCSD for his entire 28 year career, will be the sole Oregonian traveling. Having been a Social Studies teacher for most of that time and a librarian the last six years, he was a natural candidate for the Educators to Saudi Arabia Program which aims to cultivate a greater awareness and understanding of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in U.S. primary and secondary schools and communities. Additionally, the Educators to Saudi Arabia Program seek to encourage teachers to establish creative means of sharing this understanding with their students, colleagues and communities. The Educators to Saudi Arabia Program will examine Saudi education, culture, history and global relations through site visits, panel discussions and cultural activities in the cities of Dhahran, Riyadh and Jeddah. Upon returning to the U.S., participants will implement an interdisciplinary impact plan drawing on their program experiences.
Throughout his sojourn, with laptop and digital camera along with Internet connectivity, Hoffman hopes to interact with students in the twelve Lincoln County schools through his BLOG http://saudi-arabia-2006.blogspot.com/ and school district webpage http://www.lincoln.k12.or.us/page.asp?navid=1124. Upon return, he plans to visit schools and classrooms as well as community groups that would like to learn more about the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and share his experiences.
6.
Librarians brave conference hotel fire ----- Linda Ague
Things turned exciting for conference attendees lucky(?) enough to sleep in the conference center hotel. At about 5:00 Sunday morning we were awakened to the sound of the fire alarm. Grabbing whatever we thought important, we took to the stairs only to discover that all stairs led to the rainy outdoors. No one seemed too excited and no flames were visible so we spent a few minutes admiring each other's sleepwear and waiting for someone to take roll - we are school librarians after all. And exactly what did we grab on the way out? Most remembered to grab our room keys, a few grabbed purses - especially if the purse contained family pictures. But my favorite image was the row or folks in warm jammies sitting on the low hotel retaining wall and - you guessed it - reading their books!
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WHAT'S NEW! WHAT'S GOOD!
WHAT'S FUN!
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From Debbie Straw - http://snowflakes.lookandfeel.com/. It's just too much fun! Officially, it's for elementary. Unofficially, it's just the ticket for a creative zone-out for library teachers who need a little down time!
From Laura Friesen - One book to add to the middle/high school wish list is AIRBORN by Kenneth Oppel. I loved it and my husband finished the whole thing (first fiction book he's read in years!) I'm looking forward to reading the sequel SKYBREAKER.
From Meg Miranda - I wanted to do something special for Halloween in the library that would not take too much work on my part (I was not about to set up a haunted library!). Several years ago I read a not too creepy Steven King short story to some lit classes and they enjoyed the story. This year I decided to offer tickets to students who wanted to listen to the story "Battleground" during lunch time. Students signed up for a ticket the day before the event. I ordered bag lunches for those students who normally get their lunch in the cafeteria. And I brought in some extra treats for the kids. The library was open to other students who had school work but not those who just wanted a place to hang out.
The students enjoyed the story and being allowed to eat in the library. I have decided that I will find other short stories to read aloud and have more story times to celebrate other holidays and celebrations. If anyone has ideas for twisted or amusing stories that middle schoolers would enjoy please send your suggestions my way - Meg.Miranda@corvallis.k12.or.us - and I'll be sure to share the list.
From Janet Setness - Instead of fighting the Halloween controversy, I just did a Murder, Mystery, and Mayhem month with displays of books that fit, some decorations like skulls, tombstones, and much of what was in my Halloween decoration box that worked (though not a pumpkin in sight), and my TA's outlined the Library door with the theme done in appropriately gruesome font. Understated, yet right down the alley of my high schoolers.
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1. State Library's library science collection
----- Arturo Guilllero
Be sure to check the State Library's library science collection for resources to help support you and let us
know if there are additional resources that you would like to see in our collection. To access the collection,
head to http://oregon.gov/OSL. On the lower left, click on Online Catalog.
This takes you into the search screen. Enter your search terms.
A search for "library science" resulted in 688 items.
Results are not listed by copyright date so you'll have to do some browsing or narrow your searches. Resources are listed
in two categories. One is for library use onsite only and other materials are available to be loaned. If items are marked
as "checked out" you can also request they be checked out to your library and sent to you a soon as they are returned.
Items may be requested from Interlibrary Loan by faxing your contact information:
Your name, title, address, phone number, etc.
and the item requested: Title, Call number to (503)-588-7119.
The item will be checked out to your library and mailed
to you for 28 days use.
Prior to the return date, you simply mail the item back to the State Library.
2. from the state librarian on libs-or
----- Jim Scheppke
I hope many of you are planning, in the next couple months, to write a letter to your U.S. Representative and our two U.S. Senators about the harm that the Delete Online Predators Act (DOPA) could do to library services in our state.
If you are like me, you will need to resist the temptation in your letter to be cynical about DOPA. There are many reasons to be cynical, from the goofy name, to the fact that it was railroaded through the House with little debate in an election year so that very few Congressman (15 brave souls) dared to vote against it. All five of our Oregon delegation voted for DOPA, I am sorry to say.
DOPA was apparently mostly about politics, and was not based on any substantial evidence that young people were
connecting with online predators in libraries and schools.
According to CNET News, DOPA was "part of a new, poll-driven effort" to address topics that are important to
suburban voters in an election year (http://news.com.com/2100-1028_3-6071040.html).
For awhile it looked like DOPA might breeze through the Senate, just like it breezed through the House, but according to the ALA Washington Office, the Senate has no plans to consider DOPA this year, which means that the legislation will die at the end of the current session that ends this year. So we dodged this bullet, but chances are that DOPA will be back next year.
So putting the cynicism aside, what should we be telling our Congresspersons is wrong with DOPA? DOPA amends the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) to require schools and public libraries receiving E-rate discounts to "protect against access by minors without parental authorization to a commercial social networking website or chat room." It requires the FCC to define "social networking website" and "chat room" for the purposes of the Act and gives the FCC wide latitude to decide what websites would need to be blocked by schools and libraries receiving the E-Rate.
One argument against DOPA is that it is unnecessary, since CIPA already requires schools and libraries receiving the E-Rate to block sites that are "harmful to minors." But a stronger argument is probably based on the fact that if the FCC does not define "chat room" narrowly, schools and libraries in Oregon might have to block access to sites like L-net, our chat-based e-reference service, and other valuable educational resources like the Multnomah County Library and Eugene Public Library's live homework help that uses chat.
L-net does about half its business with K-12 students. Many students probably access it from home, but most learn about it at school. The Oregon School Library Information System that is used in all our public and private schools has a prominent link to L-net. If DOPA were to pass and the FCC were to ban access to any form of chat room from schools that get the E-Rate (which is nearly all of them, I believe), I think it might be the end of L-net.
It would be tragic if the CongressŐ attempts to protect children from online predators had, as its major impact in Oregon, the elimination of valuable and widely-used educational resources for our students.
That's what you need to tell our Congresspersons. -- Jim Scheppke