SSL Member Update

February typically marks the start of New York’s fifth season, Advocacy Season. While we know that true library advocacy never really ends, meeting with elected officials and showing the strength of support behind New York’s libraries, including school libraries, is crucial during the late winter/early spring, when the details of the state budget are being hammered out by lawmakers. This year NYLA held its annual Library Advocacy Day on February 7 at the New York State Capitol; over 130 meetings with elected officials were held and an estimated 500 library supporters from across the state attended!

I was one of those participants, and alongside our partners from public and academic libraries, we met with legislators and legislative staff to discuss the big issues that New York libraries are facing. For school librarians, the conversation focused on two main issues: the continuation of NOVELny electronic resources and an increase of Library Materials Aid from $6.25/student to $11/student. It was very gratifying to hear other types of librarians echo these concerns, especially regarding the NOVELny resources. The elected officials and staff members that I met with were very supportive of both initiatives, and I am cautiously optimistic that we will see progress in these areas.

In addition to these in-person meetings, NYLA/SSL launched a social media campaign on Library Advocacy Day, #625IsNotEnough, where librarians from across the state shared pictures of books that demonstrate the need for increased Library Materials Aid. Thanks to everyone who sent in pictures, and thanks to VP of Communications Sharon Fox for organizing that campaign so quickly. If you are interested in sharing your perspectives as a school librarian with the larger NYLA community, please consider applying to be a writer for the NYLA Voice.

Over the years I have often been asked “why should I join NYLA/SSL?”, and advocacy efforts like this top the list of reasons to join. NYLA organizes events like Library Advocacy Day and the upcoming Spring on the Hill Advocacy Mini-Conference on April 23. We are lucky to have the strength of the 5,000 members of NYLA behind our advocacy efforts. You can find out more information about NYLA’s Advocacy on the newly launched NYLA website. If you haven’t registered as a member, please take a moment to do so, and sign up as an advocate while you’re there! If you’re not a member, please join! We would welcome you adding your voice to supporting New York’s school libraries.

Please reach out if you would like to become involved with NYLA/SSL, or if you have any questions, concerns or comments about New York’s school libraries.

Maureen Squier

Director, Questar III School Library System

maureen.squier@questar.org

518-479-6976

Fill out our SSL Conference Sponsoring Affiliate Proposal Application to submit a proposal to host our annual conference!

Eligible Affiliates should respond by May 1st.

The SSL Ed leadership team is in the stages of deciding a new vision for our Institute. Given its long history of bringing quality nationally recognized professional development to school librarians in New York State, the Carol E. Kearney Leadership Institute will continue, however, given the changes in the way we "do business", it may not look the same as it has in the past.

We are looking for YOUR input regarding this year's Institute. Please do us a favor and answer this quick three question survey, whether you have ever attended an institute or not. Your insight is valuable to the committee as we move forward with our plans.

Any questions can be directed to Sara Kelly Johns at skjohns@gmail.com or Lisa Perkowski at ssledleadership@gmail.com

This survey will close on March 15th, so don't delay!

The new NYLA website is up and running! Be sure to renew your membership and select SSL as your free section to ensure that you continue to receive our newsletters.

See the Membership Guide here to help you with the process.

(TCEA is a nonprofit association since 1980, with a vision of “Learning without Limits,” by “advancing teaching and learning through the use of technology.” The focus is on supporting the teaching, leading, and learning happening through and with technology– and on how educational technology can make learning more equitable, engaging, and meaningful for all learners.)

A Scope And Sequence For Computational Thinking: Part 1
“What’s your vision for a coding curriculum?” I asked a small private school. They had collected technology but lacked a real plan. What was missing? A clear scope and sequence showing when they should introduce certain technology and an alignment with computational thinking standards. Let’s explore a potential solution.

A Scope And Sequence For Computational Thinking: Part 2
In this follow-up article, we’ll delve into coding and robotics for grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8. Keep reading to get activity sheets with digital tools, objectives, activities, and teacher clarity questions.

https://www.ala.org/aasl/advocacy/promo/womans-history-month?_zs=HnSvg1&_zl=1vLT9

Welcoming Schools
National Day of Reading: A Celebration of Stories Supporting Transgender and Non-Binary Youth

https://www.ala.org/aasl/advocacy/promo/welcoming-schools

https://www.ala.org/aasl/advocacy/promo/information-day

Encourage our legislators to #FundLibraries!

Send an Email

Urging your lawmakers to fund New York’s libraries, protect them from threats to their ability to effectively serve all members of their communities, and empower them through legislation that enables the effective use of existing resources and the innovation of new ways to serve their patrons.

Executive Budget:

The Executive Budget was released by Governor Kathy Hochul on January 16, 2024. NYLA is advocating for robust increases to Library Operating Aid, Library Construction Aid, Library Materials Aid, and funding for NOVELny, as well as a set of diverse legislative policy initiatives that reflect the wide range of issues currently impacting libraries and librarianship. Learn more about the policy initiatives for this year: https://www.nyla.org/2024-legislative-initiatives

Funding Initiatives:

NYS Library Operating Aid: $147.1M (current Library Aid $102.1M; +$3.5M increase from FY2023 Enacted Budget)

Increased aid is needed to support the foundational framework of New York State libraries, improving the lives of residents of all ages, abilities and economic status. Adequate funding is needed to support school, public, and academic libraries and library systems.

NYS Library Construction Aid: $69.4M (currently Library Construction $34M - Flat to FY2024 Enacted Budget)

Increased investment is needed to maintain and develop the physical infrastructure of New York State’s libraries, in order to ensure a safe, accessible and sustainable environment for the future. The New York State Library estimates the deferred maintenance need at over $1.5B. Over half of New York’s libraries are over 60 years old. Investments allow libraries to invest in energy-efficiency and support the local construction industry.

Secure Funding for NOVELny: $3M (current NOVELny: $3M - New allocation for FY2025)

NYLA supports the New York Board of Regents’ proposed FY2025 budget priority for $3 million to continue NOVELny beyond its scheduled funding-related termination on June 30, 2024, and for consistent future funding. Doing so would ensure equity of access to essential database resources for all New Yorkers, from students in K-12 classrooms to life-long learners in the public setting.

Increase Rate for Library Materials Aid: $11.00/pupil (current Library Materials Aid: $6.25/pupil - Flat to FY2024 Enacted Budget)

The per pupil rate of $6.25 has remained stagnant since 2007. We are seeking an increase to the rate to reflect general inflation and the rising costs of materials in school libraries.

May 16-18, 2024

Lake Placid, NY

Early bird registration ends Thursday, April 11!

Updated information regarding the conference can be found on our conference website. The link to secure your hotel rooms is now open. Please use the following link to book your hotel room. The hotel does not accept purchase orders. The link does include a location for you to upload your tax exempt form as well. The hotel will charge you for one night automatically when you reserve your room.

If you have any questions regarding the conference please email nylassl2024@gmail.com.

Coming to the conference? Download the web badge and tell everyone you'll be there!

Are you interested in donating a basket for our annual Knickerbocker Basket Raffle? Then take a moment and fill out this brief Google Form. We can’t wait to see you in Lake Placid.

Apply today for one of our 2024 awards and scholarships!

DEADLINE: MARCH 12

All applicants MUST be a current member of NYLA/SSL.

Please contact Dawn Pressimone, SSL Awards Chair, with any questions.

The 2024 Conference Program Proposal Form is LIVE!

DEADLINE: MARCH 25

The new form allows anyone interested in being a part of our event schedule to submit a proposal for evaluation. Fillable PDFs are available for anyone interested in reviewing the form format and planning your submission.

Region 1 SSL Representative: Amy Jo Southworth

Suffolk School Library Media Association

The West Babylon Junior High School community celebrated PS I Love You Day by joining together to share their love of books with those in need. Michelle Statfeld, the West Babylon Junior High School LMS and SSL Sustainable Library Initiative representative, created the annual Book Fairies Book Drive in honor of PS I Love You Day. The students and their families collected thousands of gently used books and donated them to The Book Fairies.

This initiative connected perfectly with the Sustainable Library Initiative and the 2024 theme of PS I Love You Day.

According to their website, The Book Fairies was founded by Amy Zaslansky, a busy mom who wanted to share her love of books, as well as her over-flowing home library, with less fortunate children. Fueled by her desire to make a difference in her community, she created The Book Fairies, a Long Island based non-profit organization that accepts donations of new and gently used books, and connects them with libraries, schools and organizations throughout the Metropolitan New York area to support the development of their school and home libraries.
The Book Fairies is located at 70 N. Main St., Freeport. For more information on how your school can get involved, contact Michelle Statfeld, mstatfeld@wbschools.org or go to thebookfairies.org

Region 2 SSL Representative: Donna Gray

New York City School Librarians' Association

Hudson Valley Library Association

SSL Region Representative: Teri Richardson

School Library Media Specialists of Southeastern New York

SSL Region Representative: Debra Armbruster

Eastern New York School Library Media Association

SSL Region Representative: Kaitlin Patenaude

School Librarians of Northern New York

Jefferson-Lewis Library Association

Northern Adirondack Library Association

SSL Region Representative: Penny Feeney

Central New York School Librarians

Baldwinsville Central School District: Elementary Schools - Allison Earl

Mock Caldecott Event

All five of Baldwinsville Elementary libraries completed a Mock Caldecott Contest. Students in grades UPK-5 read, analyzed, and discussed 7 picture books and rated each book based on the criteria that the official Caldecott judges use. The winner of the 2024 Mock Caldecott was "Jumper" by Jessica Lanan.

Marcellus Central School District: Driver Middle School Librarian - Kate Shanahan

Reading Challenge

Earlier this year, our newly appointed 7/8 principal approached me and posed the question; "what are your thoughts about a reading challenge?" I've been holding challenges at the 4-6 level for the last few years since I joined the district...but 7/8 was uncharted territory. I moved forward with a few ideas the ELA team and I cobbled together:

• elevate dialog around "what are you reading?" and create excitement among developing teens as literacy is a concern among teachers at this level
• gain a better understanding of what our students are reading
• formally recognize students who
• share their love of learning and stories,
• challenge themselves to stretch themselves as readers by reading a variety of genres
• and our readers who are intrinsically motivated
• ultimately, we want to keep readers engaged with a growth mindset around reading and continue to foster readers through high school where reading for enjoyment steeply declines in our district.

As part of the reading challenge, students are able to log and track their reading through google forms shared with teachers and administrators. This helps us to engage in conversations around what kids are reading and when. Monthly grade level goals are posted and progress updated on a weekly basis outside of ELA classrooms with some friendly competition between 7th and 8th graders as well as 4th, 5th and 6th.

Our challenge kicked off in February - due in part to prior extracurricular commitments - and will run through May. We're hopeful kids reap rewards by gaining confidence and fluency in their reading, teachers become more informed, celebrate our students achievements & foster a scientifically proven activity for their social-emotional toolbox to take with them into high school and beyond!

DeRuyter Central School: Librarian Jennifer Jones

Battle of the Books

We have teams at most levels, but this year all 1st and 2nd graders participated at the local level. The students were excited that hopefully this will result in increased participation in higher grade level bands.

East Syracuse Minoa Central School District - Librarian Sue Kowalski

National School Library Presentation

Sue Kowalski was invited to present in the "Leap Into the Future" conference and share about empowering student voice through our iStaff program. Several students shared their perspective and story and made the presentation come to life. This presentation and several others outlined here: https://sites.google.com/view/leap-into-the-future-of-school/home. Presentations will be available as of March 5th via https://read.bookcreator.com/ynKAZqWPLuUm0EUFY8ZOqJckt7o2/st5_cyX9Q4iVP0R0nTNB8w/CdJcAAqbRKaKh3KnJH61xg

Fulton City School District: Fulton Junior High School - Librarian Teresa Burgdorf

Interdisciplinary project & Author visit: Nestle: How Sweet it Was

This is an interdisciplinary project. In ELA, local author Mr. Jim Farfaglia is doing a talk about the importance of Nestle in our history (as Fulton's factories were why Fulton survived the Great Depression). His book is called "Nestle: How Sweet it Was." In SS, they will be creating candy bar wrappers with the history of Nestle on them. In Math, they will be calculating cost analysis. In Tech, they will be designing candy bar molds using the 3D printer.

Along side this, 8th grade SS students are in their Great Depression unit. We are doing a Capstone/Civic Seal research project where students can earn 1 point towards graduation. The essential question is "How could Fulton NY survive another economic crisis?" Their research consists of analyzing problems the Fulton community is currently facing (such as food insecurity, employment, housing), researching solutions to the problems and creating action plans to help us survive another potential economic crisis.

SSL Region Representative: Dan Gattuso

School Librarians' Association of Western NY

SSL Region Representative: Alicia Sherman

School Librarians of the Southern Tier - East

School Librarians of the Southern Tier West

#leadoutloud #nylassl #tlchat #schoollibrarians

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