Deep Thinking

I posted these thoughts on LM_NET and want to extend my thinking here:

I have been following the posts about the visibility of school librarians in general library journals. This could extend to many other areas including ALA, blogs, legislation, the department of education, etc. It is easy to feel neglected when we don’t see leaders in our field recognized, but we do contribute greatly to our neglect. When someone approaches us to write an article, respond to an email, respond to a survey, or to attend a conference, some of us (myself included) don’t do that right away because we think:
1. That’s not directly related to my daily job.
2. Somebody else will respond.
3. I’m just a little school librarian and I don’t know enough about that to share my opinion.
4. I just don’t have time.
5. It’s not that important.

Now, looking at this dispassionately you can see that all of those beliefs add up to serious gaps in our behavior. Many people are apathetic and hope that “someone else” out there will do this. I have heard people say “AASL should ….” We are the members of AASL. There isn’t a huge paid staff of AASL that magically symbolizes all of us. The leaders of AASL pay their own way for everything and it is very expensive. Serving is a voluntary activity and I appreciate what they do, but if only one person, say the president of AASL, is heard, legislators and decision makers often count that as only one voice. THEY NEED TO HEAR FROM ALL OF US FREQUENTLY.

Here is one opportunity: ALA is seeking candidates for councilors at large and other offices. Also, AASL and ALA need volunteers to serve on committees. We need to be volunteering for these roles, speaking up for school librarians, and being there so we are seen.

Shonda and Toni frequently remind us to write and present. Doug Johnson’s voice is heard across the spectrum of education and his blog is read by non-school librarians. I joined the general library association in my state in addition to the state organization and am participating so the voice of school librarians is being heard. I have also written to the editors of some of these journals to suggest ideas and topics of articles that might be of interest.

The members of LM_NET are creative and obviously concerned about our profession. We can do something about our image and visibility. We are not helpless little creatures that just sit around and wait for something to happen. Let’s get out there and do stuff!
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Instantly I received several personal messages telling me that people have no money, no time, and that other people are keeping them from being visible and participating in our profession. The last argument is one that brings the taste of bile to my mouth. All professions face obstacles. My doctor told me once that he lost a patient while he was at a conference learning how to save many more people’s lives. It was a choice he had to make. It was not easy, but he made an active choice. Those who are driven to succeed and excel find ways to overcome these obstacles. There must come a point when we are tired of being oppressed and we rise to face our oppressors. Yes, I want to sound radical right now because some one needs to shake up this humble-servant-with-no-control-of-our-destiny pathos.

Is it a persecution complex to believe that employers don’t want us to be professionals because we don’t have substitutes, enough professional days, or district reimbursements for conferences? Sometimes these budgetary decisions are made because administrators are not aware of the possibilities a superior library program provide. Sometimes these decisions are unfair and arbitrary. Does it mean we have to accept a muzzle and not speak up?

A turning point for me was the life & death episode of my son. Now the plight of the children I serve and those who passed through my school while seeking refuge from the hurricane stirs me to dissatisfaction with status quo. I cannot simply accept that my employers control my free time and my professional direction. I hope that I always present myself as a professional. I have specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities to offer my students. I treat my colleagues with respect and expect the same. I work as a team to improve education for all our students. I strive to make my profession better for all. I wonder what it will take for many school librarians to reach the same crisis point.

Okay, now that I have ranted, I’ll try the balanced approach. We need to find a way to reinforce the building level school librarian’s (blsl) belief that each small step contributes to the grand picture of school library reform. There must be a way to re-connect national initiatives to the local practices so the blsl sees the importance. We need to increase communication at AASL’s Affiliate Assembly so that the affiliates convey their concerns, know they were heard, and carry back to each state organization the information from the national organization. Two-way communication. Grassroots approach. These are important. They are occurring. How can we get the word out? How can we enable blsl’s to take these ideas to heart?