Circulate This: Stories From the School Library

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) April 6, 2010 -- News Release
April 6, 2010

Circulate This: Stories from the School Library

Listen to this! The California School Library Association released an audio
journal, “Circulate This: Stories from the School Library,” which is
packed with powerful stories about school libraries. See csla.net/audio.

Petaluma High School Teacher Librarian/CSLA Past President Connie Williams and
songwriter/storyteller/public radio producer Joe McHugh collaborated on an
audio journal project to capture stories from teachers, school administrators,

children's authors, legislators, parents, and students about how school
libraries and librarians make a difference in the lives of children. Connie
orchestrated and arranged the project, Joe interviewed and captured the
stories; both made magic happen when they put it all together. Listen to and
share the stories!

Says Connie: “We have created an audio magazine in which we tell the
stories of the importance of school libraries and teacher librarians via
interviews with teacher librarians, library staff, teachers, community
members, parents, administrators, and most importantly, students. The

format is along the lines of a 'This American Life' type of audio journal with a
narrator, who sets the tone, describes the dilemma, and sets the stage for
each interview. Each is short but dramatic and powerful. The intent is to
distribute the audio journal widely on radio and across the Internet – go
'viral' – as well as create CDs to hand to legislators and decision-making
administrators. Teacher librarians and others are able to download the
journal and burn CDs to distribute to their local administrators and parents.”
Joe McHugh, a talented Washington State storyteller and audio producer

points out that “stories are effective because they deal in specifics, not
generalities, and the best, in terms of persuasion, are told by those who have
first-hand knowledge of what they are talking about.”

Many came forward to tell their stories. Among those presented here are
stories from: Dr. Doug Achterman, Glen Warren, David Burt, Winny Duffy,
Heather Keaton, April Wayland, Manuel Perez, Dr. Leslie Farmer, Donald Gill,
Jeanne Nelson, Anne Birchfield, Hannah Jackson, Kathy Green, and Sophie.
Connie Williams, a National Board Certified Teacher and library leader says

“California schools are in deep trouble, with the state budget in tatters and
education taking the brunt of the cuts. This impacts school libraries all over
the state. The California School Library Association has been exploring a
variety of venues and strategies to bring school libraries out of these depths
and into the limelight so that the services provided by strong school libraries
can be in the forefront of any school reform.” The good news is that the
State Board of Education has requested Model School Library Standards.

This project was sponsored by the generous donations of long-time school

library advocates DEMCO, Follett Software, and Gale Cengage. We thank
them for their support!

The California School Library Association (CSLA) is a non-profit organization
of teacher librarians, classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, district and
county coordinators of curriculum, media and technology, and others
committed to enriching student learning by building a better future for school
libraries. CSLA advocates, educates, and collaborates to ensure that all
California students and educators are effective users of ideas and
information.

For more information on the project or how you can best support school
libraries, contact the CSLA Offices at 916-447-2684 or write to csla2team@yahoo.com

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