[LM_NET] School library partnerships with ALA

[Gail K Dickinson <GDickins@ODU.EDU>]

I myself have written (and been published) in American Libraries letters
chastising ALA and its leadership for misrepresenting school libraries, or
even by printing incorrect facts about ALA accreditation and school
libraries.   I have always tried to react to mis-information or omissions
professionally. I would rather been seen as the forgotten but resourceful
kid in Home Alone versus the two-year-old at Easter dinner banging on the
high chair just trying to get attention.   Sometimes I waver across the
line.  Regardless, taking our toys and storming off to our own little
sandbox is probably not the best solution.  Yes, we would be happy playing
with people just like ourselves, but the moat around school libraries and
the rest of the world would grow even deeper.

The old analogy about anytime we point fingers there are three fingers (and
I  had to stop and count, not being a math person) pointing back at us is
true.  So here is where my own mea culpa comes in.  How have I, as a school
library educator, helped to create a situation in which school librarians
are not in positions of power within ALA.?

First of all, and probably foremost, I have not demanded that my students
join ALA on day one, join ALA's New Members Round Table, and become active
on committees and at conference merging with other students who are headed
for all types of libraries.  It's not that I believe them when they say
they can't afford it.  Other library students in other types of library
schools do it all the time, and they are unemployed.  Classroom teachers,
even at the beginning stages, probably still make more than new librarians
in other institutions.  So not affording it just won't wash.  It's just not
high enough a priority.  We spend money on lots of things that we want.  If
we wanted to be active in our national professional association, we would
do it.  Some choose to spend money elsewhere, and that's their choice.
But, as a result, our students are more active at the state level than at
the national level.  We need to change that.

I also have not started an ALA student chapter in our school library
program.  It takes time and energy, and it's on my list to do.  That would
ensure that one student would have their way paid, and probably more would
go.

I haven't nagged AASL leadership to see how many school librarians are
running for ALA council.  We seem to find out that there are hardly any
school librarians running on the third day of midwinter.  We need to start
the petitions for running for council in Reno...so that we can have a huge
slate of school librarians from which to choose.

But more than anything else, we need to be ALA members, not just AASL
members.    We have to treat it like it's our professional association.
AASL has my heart, but I know that ALA gives me professional status, guides
what I teach my students (in many more ways than intellectual freedom,
please), and makes it possible for the world to know libraries in a hundred
ways.

I'm keeping my money for where my mouth is.

Gail K. Dickinson, PhD
249-6 Dept of Educational Curriculum and Instruction
Darden College of Education
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA 23529
gdickins@odu.edu
757-683-6683

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