Volume 29 Number 7 March 2006 Selecting a Conference Keynote Speaker: NewsletterNewsletterIt is the responsibility of the president-elect to select the conference key- note speaker and January and February are the months when the hunt is In the end, the on! For the 2005 conference, I worked with several agencies in pursuit of committee hit it that perfect speaker. As I learned, finding that perfect keynoter is a fine right on the nose art, a balancing act of conflicting suggestions and priorities. Suggestions are made by the Board, the committee, members, co-workers, my hus- with Mark Salzman band. The speaker should be from the library world, a woman, an enter- and Carmen Agra tainer, an author, someone political, my husband. Priorities require a speaker attuned to the Deedy! elementary level; secondary level; technology, politics; someone who combines two or three of the above. With all of that in mind, I try to predict who will serve our needs, who can we afford, knowing that everyone recommended is a big chance. I know that the person needs to be memorable with a breadth of knowledge that applies to our field: information literacy, love of reading, groundbreaking research, or technology. The speaker must also be entertaining and inspirational and, lastly, cheap--someone we can afford. It is an overwhelming task, but I know our membership trusts the president-elect to select the best speaker for the organiza- tion. My search begins. I speak with representatives of John Lithgow, Bill Cosby, and Garrison Keeler, but their fees were six figures beyond our means. Lesson: we can’t afford big names. A suggestion on an evaluation was to have Henry Winkler speak. I had researched Henry Winkler along the way and the fee quoted for an hour speech including What’s Inside Q&A was $37,000.00. While this is also above our limit…the committee did give con- sideration, thinking that the name would be a draw for members. What finally made our > President’s Message 1 decision to keep looking was the contract clause, which allowed the speaker to withdraw 30 > Public Relations 2 > CA Dept. of Education 2 days prior to the event. This would not work. To find ourselves one month away from the > Leadership for Diversity 3 conference without the keynote speaker would leave our year-long planning in shambles. > CYRM Nominations 3 The search continued. Other speakers I considered required first class airfare from the > Governmental Relations 4 East Coast, hotel rooms, limo service, and a hefty speaker fee. As we narrowed the search > Educational Technology 4 > Web Pathways 5 we listened to CDs, watched videos, read recommendations, and spoke with people who > Northern Notes 6 had heard live performances. In the end, the committee hit it right on the nose with Mark > Good Ideas! 6 Salzman and Carmen Agra Deedy! The fees were reasonable: Mark lived locally and would > Standards Implementation 7 provide his own transportation; Carmen’s publisher graciously paid her way. Evaluation > Calendar 8 comments from members confirm that we found two speakers who were a perfect fit! > Deadlines and Editors 8 -Kathryn Matlock PUBLIC RELATIONS CA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
LegiDay in District On the Radar
~ By Richard Moore, PR Editor ~By Barbara Jeffus, School Library Consultant
e have an interesting political situ- nline Survey: Have you heard the ation in Orange County. A State exciting news? CSLA has not one but WSenator, John Campbell, has left Otwo bills moving through the legisla- his seat as he was elected to Congress. The tive process this year. Data collected through candidates for his seat (in the Republican the CDE Online School Library Survey works primary, which is all that counts) are a sitting in conjunction with these legislative efforts to assemblyman, Tom Harman, and a local city improve California school libraries. For exam- councilwoman, Diane Harkey. ple, survey question 19 asks you to select the So a meeting with the assemblyman two library online subscription information was scheduled for February 3 and emails databases most often used by students. If the exchanged with the councilwoman resulted Hancock bill is funded and passed, the data in two possibilities: a January 27 BBQ in the collected give us a starting place for consider- park, or a Sunday home party downtown. I ing databases. Only one month left to submit decided to try the BBQ. survey numbers at
CSLA Newsletter, March 2006 LEADERSHIP FOR DIVERSITY CYRM Nominees Selected A Very Long Journey for 2006-2007 ~By Maria Byrd, LFD Scholarship Recipient
s a child, I entered school know- The California Young Reader Medal ing only Spanish. Not knowing the Committee has selected the following English language made school very titles as CYRM nominees for the 2006- A 07 school year. difficult for me. I think I finally started to understand and speak English when I was in the third grade. Even then, school was a strug- Picture Books: gle and I never did very well. Bailey, Linda. Stanley’s Party. While I was in high school, I began to Kids Can Press, 2003 work full time after school. I wasn’t geared Kasza, Keiko. My Lucky Day. toward college. I graduated from high school, Putnam/Penguin, 2003 got married, and went to work as a grocery LaRochelle, David. The Best Pet of All. clerk. I had been a grocery clerk for almost Dutton/Penguin, 2004 20 years when I decided to leave that business Sierra, Judy. Wild About Books. but first I had to learn some new skills, and Knopf, 2004 that is when I decided to take some computer Spinelli, Eileen. Three Pebbles and a Song. classes at a local community college. I also Dial Books, 2003 took a typing class through the adult school and continued to work as a grocery clerk. Intermediate: Once I acquired typing and computer Clements, Andrew. A Week in the Woods. skills, I went to work for Lodi Unified School S&S, 2002 District as a substitute clerk. While subbing I Hannigan, Katherine. Ida B…and was placed as a long-term sub in a high school Her Plans to Maximize Fun. library, and in 1996 I was hired as a library Greenwillow, 2004 assistant. While working in the library, my Wise, William. Christopher Mouse: strength in communicating well with students The Tale of a Small Traveler. and teachers earned me their respect. Being Bloomsbury, 2004 able to speak Spanish helped me contribute and serve the needs of the multicultural, mul- Middle School/Junior High: tilingual students and bridge the gap between Choldenko, Gennifer. Al Capone our Spanish speakers and information literacy. Does my Shirts. Putnam/Penguin, Working in the library also made me real- 2004 ize how much there is to learn. It motivated Ryan, Pam Muñoz. Becoming Naomi me to pursue an education and become a Leon. Scholastic, 2004 library media teacher. With the help of the Sherlock, Patti. Letters from Wolfie. Paraprofessional Teacher Training Program I Viking/Penguin, 2004 began attending college at the age of forty- two, and went year round; winter, spring, Young Adult: summer, and fall. Bechard, Margaret. Hanging on to Max. I earned my degree and enrolled in both Roaring Brook/Macmillan, 2002 the Multiple Subject Credential Program Giles, Gail. Shattering Glass. at CSU Stanislaus and the Library Media Simon Pulse/S&S, 2003 Teacher Services Credential Program through Woods, Brenda. Emako Blue. CSU Sacramento. I am currently a first year Putnam/Penguin, 2004 teacher, gaining the experience I need in the classroom through a two-year induction pro- Picture Books for Older Readers: gram. At the end of two years I will be receive Hesse, Karen. The Cats in Krasinski my multiple subject credential and apply for Square. the Library Media Teacher Credential. Once I Scholastic, 2004 have my credentials, I will be ready for a posi- Woodson, Jacqueline. Coming on Home tion as an LMT. It has been quite a journey Soon. for me and I look forward to the day when I G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2004 am back in the library. Young, Ed. I, Doko: The Tale of a Basket. Philomel Books, 2004
CSLA Newsletter, March 2006 GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY
Focusing Our Message CALIBK12 and
~By Ellie Goldstein-Erickson, VP/Legislation “Netiquette”
~By George Pilling, Listserv Moderator n the years since California School Library Association members took an active role ALIBK12 is our listserv. With over in lobbying for students and school librar- I 1500 subscribers, it is busy. As ies, we have moved from a general approach of moderator, my job is to: “School libraries are good for kids,” to more C • Control subscriptions (delete obsolete focused messages. Under the guidance of our addresses and help people subscribe.) elected officers, particularly Sandy Schuckett, • �����������������������������������Moderate discussions: I very rarely the previous vice president/legislation, and Jeff have to do anything; you all are Frost, our legislative advocate, we have adopted a unified approach so that we are all delivering excellent self- regulators. the same message. Being able to communicate It rarely happens that we have problems using our monthly newsletter and CALIBK12 on Calibk12, but we all should be aware of has increased our ability to stay in touch with the “netiquette” rules: and support each other. The results: four years • ������������������������������Refrain from publicly slamming of funding for school libraries at approximately anyone. $28 per student, a greater awareness of the • ���������������������������������Refrain from political commentary relationship between school libraries and over- (this is CSLA policy.) The only excep all students academic success, and this year tion is the CSLA legislative committee Assembly Member Carol Liu’s willingness to may announce a candidate’s favorable introduce a bill on behalf of CSLA that will position on libraries and may recom establish states standards for school libraries mend contacting legislators about Barbara Jeffus, CDE School Library and information literacy. library issues. Consultant, and Martha Rowland, CSLA Now the Assembly Education Committee • ����������������������������������Do not advertise for yourself, but President-Elect, watch as Rebecca is convening a working group, chaired by please do mention good products and Baumann, Senior Assistant to Assembly Assembly Member Hancock (D-Berkeley), services that we can all benefit from. Member Loni Hancock, submits CSLA’s which will focus on standards, accountability, With over 1500 subscribers now, legislation on a state-buy of databases and instruction. School libraries and sub- our listserv has become fairly high vol- for its bill number on the floor of the scription databases will be discussed under ume. There are some ways we can make Assembly. It is now officially AB 2540, the category of curriculum, with the goal of CALIBK12 even more responsive to our School Library Equitable Access to Digital including them in an omnibus bill the com- needs: Education Resources (LEADER). For more mittee will approve later this year. This exciting • ��������������������������������������Mark your messages in the subject line information on CSLA legislation visit news results directly from the work of CSLA “Target” or “Query” if you want CSLA’s website at www.csla.net members, Jeff Frost, CSLA’s legislative advo- responses, “Hit” if you have compiled cate and our advocacy partners from CLA and responses, and “Comment” as appropri CALTAC. Making regular visits to our elected ate. officials on Legislative Days in the District and • �������������������������������������Use a signature line on all postings. Sacramento has raised the visibility of school • �����Go to
Netiquette: Guidelines for Communicating in a Digitized World
~By Nancy Rowell, Technology Committee
he amount of e-mail exchanged on the Internet continues to grow, yet many users fail to apply the same rules of consideration and civility online as they do in their other forms Tof communication. Netiquette is the term used to describe the conventions of politeness recognised on electronic forums and message boards. There are boundless resources on the Web that provide rules and guidelines for communicating digitally. Of the many out there, however, here is a list of some of the best.
Harness E-Mail: E-Mail Etiquette
Master the Basics: Netiquette
The Core Rules of Netiquette
RFC 1855; Netiquette Guidelines we have problems on
How to Keep Out of Trouble with Your E-Mail
Netiquette
Netiquette for Kids
Cybernetiquette Comix
Wikipedia suggests a good rule of thumb to follow when beginning to participate in any discussion group is to “lurk before you leap”—get a feel for the local conventions before diving into conversation. It also recommends that you read the FAQ if there is one.
CSLA Newsletter, March 2006 NORTHERN NOTES Good Ideas! 2006 Our Winner & Our Applications for Good Ideas! 2006 are Workshops due April 15, 2006. The Good Ideas!
Newsletter contains exemplary projects ~By Barbara Scheifler, Northern Section Editor and ideas for administrators, teachers, the PTA, and school boards. The Curriculum ewel Gardiner Scholarship: Committee publishes it annually in the Congratulations to our Jewel Gardiner fall. The theme for 2006 will again be scholarship winner for the spring semes- J “World Class Teaching and Standards.” ter; Julianna Hedstrom. She is a fourth Information and application materials are year English teacher at Hiram Johnson High available on the CSLA website
Poetry Project
~By Jamie Boston, Curriculum Committee “Knowing that students Standard 3.3 Communicates and synthesizes ideas in logical and creative or novel ways. like to use technology Standard 5.2 Appreciates creative expressions in and integrate music and all formats. art into projects, I decid- etting junior high school students to ed to try having them appreciate poetry is not always the make a digital anthology Geasiest of tasks. A 7th grade English teacher was looking for a new way to excite using Photo Story 3 for her students about poetry. In the past, she had Windows®.” asked her students to read a variety of poems and then select a few favorites to include in a handmade anthology. We found that, increas- ingly, students were copying and pasting poems from the Internet and sometimes won- dered if they had even read them. Knowing that students like to use tech- Survey: nology and integrate music and art into California projects, I decided to try having them make School Libraries, Don’t forget that from now a digital anthology using Photo Story 3 for through March 31, the CDE Windows®. This free program allows users to A Bountiful Harvest Online School Library Survey create a movie using still photos. The illusion is ready to receive your library of motion is created by starting and stopping CSLA Annual Conference the focus in different areas of the photograph. information from the 2004-05 Transition effects between the slides also November 17-19, 2006 school year at http://inet2.cde. contribute to the illusion of motion. Music Sacramento Convention Center ca.gov/LibrarySurvey/pages/ and narration may also be added to the back- default.aspx. ground. It’s time to start thinking about har- To model the process, I showed the stu- vesting all those great literature resources, dents a “poem movie” I created based on strategies, integrated technologies, ideas, J.G. Magee’s “High Flight.” I presented two and plans! CSLA is looking for profes- different versions, demonstrating how chang- sionals, paraprofessionals, authors, or ing the musical background could affect the friends of school libraries to submit con- final product. In the first version I used the ference proposals for concurrent sessions Air Force Hymn as background. The students or workshops that will highlight best agreed that the poem was sad. In my second practices, innovations, and new resources version, I used an upbeat contemporary musi- for school libraries. The time has come, cal selection. Students then thought it was and the Call for Proposals is now posted more a celebration of flight. They were sur- at
March 11, 2006 NS Region 1 Workshop, Redwood HS March 11, 2006 SS Regional Workshop April 26, 2006 Legi Day, Sacramento April 29, 2006 NS Region 2 Workshop, Regency Park Elementary June 8, 2006 NS Region 3 Workshop, Fresno Nov. 16-19, 2006 State Conference, Sacramento 1001 26th Street Sacramento, CA 95816
Click here to visit CSLA’s online calendar page >>>
Volume 29 Number 7 NewsletterNewsletterMarch 2006
Editorial Board
Nina Jackson, Miriam Wiese, Information State Editor Column Editor, Leadership For Diversity California School Library Association [email protected] Newsletter, the official publication of the [email protected] California School Library Association, is published ten times a year and sent to Lesley Farmer, Cynthia Bender, all members. Column Editor, Technology Column Editor, Curriculum [email protected] [email protected] Membership: Professional ($100), Para-professional ($45), Ellie Goldstein-Erickson, Column Editor, Associate/Retired ($45), Honorary ($0), Barbara Jeffus, Student ($45), Friend ($45), Sustaining ($500) Library Consultant, CDE Governmental Relations Commercial ($100), Institutional ($125). [email protected] [email protected]
CSLA Newsletter, March 2006