Post 3 of 3 on this issue... NOTE: Sample letters will be posted to this blog shortly.
And finally…
“Last night my school site [Taft High School] with reduced funds did not fund the Teacher Librarian for 2011-12 school year. Although the principal is supportive, I have found an extreme lack of knowledge regarding the critical need for our students to have skills taught by Teacher Librarians. I believe that the district intends to close all school libraries. I shared the Ed Code clearly stating the requirement for a Teacher Librarian-a dually credentialed teacher especially at the high school level.
Last year, after some negotiations the District centrally funded Teacher Librarians at the high school level but not the middle school. In reading my letter you can learn what happened given that reality--I believe a civil rights violation.
I'm attaching two letters that I've written and will be sharing with advocacy groups. Please use the information and share.
Thanks for your assistance!
Best,
Kathy
Kathleen Sheppard
Teacher Librarian
Taft High School
5461 Winnetka Avenue
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
krsheppard814@gmail.com
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Post 2: 85 Teacher-Librarians laid off-Los Angeles Unified School District
2 of 3 posts...
More from Kathleen Sheppard, Taft High School:
“…As a class code of dually credentialed teachers we believe
that the intent is to close the libraries. And eliminate us. Our
layoffs hit teacher librarians who have worked for the district for 22
years. That's much greater we believe than other district teachers.
Last year both MS [middle school] and HS [high school] were possibly going to get RIF. Though negotiations, the district funded Teacher Librarians at the high
schools but not middle schools. Most middle schools were able to
"purchase" their teacher librarian. 13 middle school libraries are
closed now. I believe this is a civil rights issue. We have a meeting
with an attorney at UTLA tomorrow. The "recency clause" is also a
district attempt to render us as NOT suitable to teach in our first
credential. As of today, 85 will not have a job after June 30. We were
told that we could sub. Ed Code and our contracts specify that Teacher
Librarians are the only teacher qualified to teach in the library
classroom. The district is already violating that Ed Code too.
Strong school libraries = greater student achievement.
Yes, share and circulate the ignorance in this thinking by the
district.
It's about our students,
Best,
Kathleen”
Kathleen Sheppard
Teacher Librarian
Taft High School
5461 Winnetka Avenue
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
krsheppard814@gmail.com
More from Kathleen Sheppard, Taft High School:
“…As a class code of dually credentialed teachers we believe
that the intent is to close the libraries. And eliminate us. Our
layoffs hit teacher librarians who have worked for the district for 22
years. That's much greater we believe than other district teachers.
Last year both MS [middle school] and HS [high school] were possibly going to get RIF. Though negotiations, the district funded Teacher Librarians at the high
schools but not middle schools. Most middle schools were able to
"purchase" their teacher librarian. 13 middle school libraries are
closed now. I believe this is a civil rights issue. We have a meeting
with an attorney at UTLA tomorrow. The "recency clause" is also a
district attempt to render us as NOT suitable to teach in our first
credential. As of today, 85 will not have a job after June 30. We were
told that we could sub. Ed Code and our contracts specify that Teacher
Librarians are the only teacher qualified to teach in the library
classroom. The district is already violating that Ed Code too.
Strong school libraries = greater student achievement.
Yes, share and circulate the ignorance in this thinking by the
district.
It's about our students,
Best,
Kathleen”
Kathleen Sheppard
Teacher Librarian
Taft High School
5461 Winnetka Avenue
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
krsheppard814@gmail.com
85 Los Angeles Teacher Librarians laid off! (1 of 3 posts)
1 of 3 posts on this issue...
Yesterday, Kathleen Sheppard, Teacher Librarian at Taft High School in a suburb of Los Angeles reported the following very sad news:
“Sadly given the [LA Unified] school district fiscal status, 85/130 [85 out of 130 total middle and high school] Teacher Librarians have been RIFed [Reduction in Force = layoff notices]. We have a meeting with a UTLA attorney tomorrow evening. It seems that for many we are educating our school sites, parents, students, school board and superintendent about libraries, Teacher Librarians and student achievement. I believe that the district intends to eliminate our teaching positions. School Site Council had to decide to fund with reduced categorical money either a diploma project counselor, two counselors, Teacher Librarian, computer support tech, library aide and/or .5 school nurse for Taft high school 2011-12 year. All are essential on a comprehensive high school campus.
The Model School Library Standards, Ed Code, WASC, CTC, union representation and stakeholder advocacy may hopefully cause the board to rescind the decision for personnel that impacts the classroom. It's disheartening to need to justify that the library is a classroom and that we are dually credentialed teachers of information literacy, digital literacy, ethical use of information and cyber safety as well as facilitating access to resources to differentiate instruction.”
Best,
Kathy
Kathleen Sheppard
Teacher Librarian
Taft High School
5461 Winnetka Avenue
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
krsheppard814@gmail.com
Yesterday, Kathleen Sheppard, Teacher Librarian at Taft High School in a suburb of Los Angeles reported the following very sad news:
“Sadly given the [LA Unified] school district fiscal status, 85/130 [85 out of 130 total middle and high school] Teacher Librarians have been RIFed [Reduction in Force = layoff notices]. We have a meeting with a UTLA attorney tomorrow evening. It seems that for many we are educating our school sites, parents, students, school board and superintendent about libraries, Teacher Librarians and student achievement. I believe that the district intends to eliminate our teaching positions. School Site Council had to decide to fund with reduced categorical money either a diploma project counselor, two counselors, Teacher Librarian, computer support tech, library aide and/or .5 school nurse for Taft high school 2011-12 year. All are essential on a comprehensive high school campus.
The Model School Library Standards, Ed Code, WASC, CTC, union representation and stakeholder advocacy may hopefully cause the board to rescind the decision for personnel that impacts the classroom. It's disheartening to need to justify that the library is a classroom and that we are dually credentialed teachers of information literacy, digital literacy, ethical use of information and cyber safety as well as facilitating access to resources to differentiate instruction.”
Best,
Kathy
Kathleen Sheppard
Teacher Librarian
Taft High School
5461 Winnetka Avenue
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
krsheppard814@gmail.com
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Responses to Google Books Settlement Rejection
The University of California's California Digital Library (CDL) and HathiTrust have posted responses regarding the Judge Chin's decision to reject the proposed Google Books settlement.
CDL post: http://osc.universityofcalifornia.edu/google/settlement_decision.html
HathiTrust post: http://www.hathitrust.org/hathitrust_asa_response
CDL post: http://osc.universityofcalifornia.edu/google/settlement_decision.html
HathiTrust post: http://www.hathitrust.org/hathitrust_asa_response
Friday, March 11, 2011
ACRL Instruction Section's Innovation Award
From the ILI listserv, re the Award for the LILAC program:
http://www.rrlc.org/Learning/LILAC/tabid/720/Default.aspx
On behalf of the Awards Committee of the ACRL Instruction Section, we are pleased to announce the recipients of this year's Instruction Section Innovation Award, Kimberly Davies Hoffman and Michelle Costello. Hoffman and Costello received the award for developing LILAC (Library Instruction Leadership Academy), a collaborative professional development project designed, organized and delivered for regional K-12, community college and college/university librarians.
Sponsored by ProQuest, the annual award recognizes a project that demonstrates creative, innovative or unique approaches to information literacy instruction or programming.
Congratulations to Kimberly and Michelle! A prize of $3,000 and a certificate will be presented to Hoffman and Costello during the 2011 ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans.
Please see the full ACRL announcement for further information: http://ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pr.cfm?id=6412
Elizabeth Kocevar-Weidinger and Robin Ewing
Co-Chairs, ACRL Instruction Section Awards Committee
Elizabeth Kocevar-Weidinger
Instruction/Reference Services Librarian/Associate Professor Greenwood Library, Longwood University
201 High Street, Farmville, Virginia 23909
tel: 434.395.2445
fax: 434.395.2453
email: kocevarweidingerea@longwood.edu
http://www.rrlc.org/Learning/LILAC/tabid/720/Default.aspx
On behalf of the Awards Committee of the ACRL Instruction Section, we are pleased to announce the recipients of this year's Instruction Section Innovation Award, Kimberly Davies Hoffman and Michelle Costello. Hoffman and Costello received the award for developing LILAC (Library Instruction Leadership Academy), a collaborative professional development project designed, organized and delivered for regional K-12, community college and college/university librarians.
Sponsored by ProQuest, the annual award recognizes a project that demonstrates creative, innovative or unique approaches to information literacy instruction or programming.
Congratulations to Kimberly and Michelle! A prize of $3,000 and a certificate will be presented to Hoffman and Costello during the 2011 ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans.
Please see the full ACRL announcement for further information: http://ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pr.cfm?id=6412
Elizabeth Kocevar-Weidinger and Robin Ewing
Co-Chairs, ACRL Instruction Section Awards Committee
Elizabeth Kocevar-Weidinger
Instruction/Reference Services Librarian/Associate Professor Greenwood Library, Longwood University
201 High Street, Farmville, Virginia 23909
tel: 434.395.2445
fax: 434.395.2453
email: kocevarweidingerea@longwood.edu
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Bibliotheca Alexandrina Protected by the People
From IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions):
"This is just a brief message to let you know that the Library is safe. In case you had not seen it, below is a statement by Dr. Serageldin that has been posted on our webiste. It still represents the current situation, except that the President and the PM have made reasonable statements, but they have come late. Let's hope that it is the beginning of a resolution. In addition to the statement, we posted pictures and a video of the youth of Alexandria defending the Library against vandalism and looting www.bibalex.org. Please see it and please bring it to the attention of other people.
Here is the statement:
To our friends around the world:
The Events in Egypt
The world has witnessed an unprecedented popular action in the streets of Egypt. Led by Egypt’s youth, with their justified demands for more freedom, more democracy, lower prices for necessities and more employment opportunities. These youths demanded immediate and far-reaching changes. This was met by violent conflicts with the police, who were routed. The army was called in and was welcomed by the demonstrators, but initially their presence was more symbolic than active. Events deteriorated as lawless bands of thugs, and maybe agents provocateurs, appeared and looting began. The young people organized themselves into groups that directed traffic, protected neighborhoods and guarded public buildings of value such as the Egyptian Museum and the Library of Alexandria. They are collaborating with the army. This makeshift arrangement is in place until full public order returns.
The library is safe thanks to Egypt’s youth, whether they be the staff of the Library or the representatives of the demonstrators, who are joining us in guarding the building from potential vandals and looters. I am there daily within the bounds of the curfew hours. However, the Library will be closed to the public for the next few days until the curfew is lifted and events unfold towards an end to the lawlessness and a move towards the resolution of the political issues that triggered the demonstrations."
"This is just a brief message to let you know that the Library is safe. In case you had not seen it, below is a statement by Dr. Serageldin that has been posted on our webiste. It still represents the current situation, except that the President and the PM have made reasonable statements, but they have come late. Let's hope that it is the beginning of a resolution. In addition to the statement, we posted pictures and a video of the youth of Alexandria defending the Library against vandalism and looting www.bibalex.org
Here is the statement:
To our friends around the world:
The Events in Egypt
The world has witnessed an unprecedented popular action in the streets of Egypt. Led by Egypt’s youth, with their justified demands for more freedom, more democracy, lower prices for necessities and more employment opportunities. These youths demanded immediate and far-reaching changes. This was met by violent conflicts with the police, who were routed. The army was called in and was welcomed by the demonstrators, but initially their presence was more symbolic than active. Events deteriorated as lawless bands of thugs, and maybe agents provocateurs, appeared and looting began. The young people organized themselves into groups that directed traffic, protected neighborhoods and guarded public buildings of value such as the Egyptian Museum and the Library of Alexandria. They are collaborating with the army. This makeshift arrangement is in place until full public order returns.
The library is safe thanks to Egypt’s youth, whether they be the staff of the Library or the representatives of the demonstrators, who are joining us in guarding the building from potential vandals and looters. I am there daily within the bounds of the curfew hours. However, the Library will be closed to the public for the next few days until the curfew is lifted and events unfold towards an end to the lawlessness and a move towards the resolution of the political issues that triggered the demonstrations."
Free Educause Next Gen Learning Challenges grants Webinar
Free Educause Next Gen Learning Challenges grants webinar today 11am PST + 2/7 noon PST & archived: http://j.mp/b8aAf5 No RSVP required. See details below, from Educause message:
"On behalf of Next Generation Learning Challenges, I wanted to send you a quick reminder that you’re invited to join NGLC staff for a special webcast dedicated to the second wave of NGLC funding. If you are planning your own submission or just interested in learning more, you can join us today, February 3, at 2:00 p.m. ET.
Topics will include:
• The needs and underlying premises driving Wave II
• The proposal process
• A step-by-step overview of the pre-proposal application
• Key dates for the second wave of funding
• Resources for grant seekers
• Questions from participants
A second webcast will be offered on February 7 at 3:00 p.m. ET for colleagues who cannot join us today. Archives, which include audio and slides, will be available on the NGLC Upcoming Events page after each event concludes.
No pre-registration is required...so please plan to connect and listen in.
We will conduct the session in our Adobe Connect meeting room. You can select to “Enter as Guest” and log in. Audio and slides will be provided online via the webconferencing space. Throughout the presentation, initiative staff will answer your questions related to both the program and the proposal process through the interface’s chat space. Anyone having difficulties receiving the online audio will be able to listen to the session via a toll-free telephone number: 1-877-944-2300 (access code: 99290#).
Prior to the session, please run the Acrobat Connect Connection Test on the computer you plan to use for the session to ensure your configuration is compatible with the web conferencing system.
Whether you participate live or view the archive, we look forward to sharing more about this exciting venture with you soon.
Sincerely,
Ira Fuchs
Executive Director
Next Generation Learning Challenges"
"On behalf of Next Generation Learning Challenges, I wanted to send you a quick reminder that you’re invited to join NGLC staff for a special webcast dedicated to the second wave of NGLC funding. If you are planning your own submission or just interested in learning more, you can join us today, February 3, at 2:00 p.m. ET.
Topics will include:
• The needs and underlying premises driving Wave II
• The proposal process
• A step-by-step overview of the pre-proposal application
• Key dates for the second wave of funding
• Resources for grant seekers
• Questions from participants
A second webcast will be offered on February 7 at 3:00 p.m. ET for colleagues who cannot join us today. Archives, which include audio and slides, will be available on the NGLC Upcoming Events page after each event concludes.
No pre-registration is required...so please plan to connect and listen in.
We will conduct the session in our Adobe Connect meeting room. You can select to “Enter as Guest” and log in. Audio and slides will be provided online via the webconferencing space. Throughout the presentation, initiative staff will answer your questions related to both the program and the proposal process through the interface’s chat space. Anyone having difficulties receiving the online audio will be able to listen to the session via a toll-free telephone number: 1-877-944-2300 (access code: 99290#).
Prior to the session, please run the Acrobat Connect Connection Test on the computer you plan to use for the session to ensure your configuration is compatible with the web conferencing system.
Whether you participate live or view the archive, we look forward to sharing more about this exciting venture with you soon.
Sincerely,
Ira Fuchs
Executive Director
Next Generation Learning Challenges"
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