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=Welcome to our draft version of the 2008 PSLA White Paper!=

What am I supposed to do with this White Paper Wiki?
There should be a button at the top right of your screen that says "Edit this Page." And that's it -- you are now a co-author of our white paper. Feel free to edit.

What if I don't want to change anything at this time -- just to comment on what's here?
That is what the tab "discussion" at the top of this page is for. It leaves comments on the work.

What if I want to see who else has edited this page?
Check the history tab.

School Library Advocacy Question
For discussion purposes on the wiki, we are looking at all forms of advocacy that might improve the state of school libraries.

Let's start like we did last year with a SWOT chart. Then below the chart are the final categories that we used for last year's white paper. Feel free to add to the chart and/or put subtopics under each of the questions.


 * Mega Issue: How can PSLA best encourage our members to engage in school library advocacy?**


 * < STRENGTHS OF PSLA REGARDING ADVOCACY
 * Some highly motivated volunteers
 * Documentation of inequities
 * Size of membership
 * Representation throughout the entire state
 * Ability to provide quality professional development & training
 * Leadership and expertise from AASL/ALA
 * Effective and far reaching means of communication ||

< WEAKNESSES OF PSLA REGARDING ADVOCACY <OPPORTUNITIES FOR PSLA
 * Lack of knowledge of influence strategies
 * Prohibition of "lobbying" in nonprofit organizations?
 * Lack of interest by overall membership
 * Role of librarian is often misunderstood
 * PSLA has not communicated or reached out to other stakeholder groups like parents, businesses, or other educational organizations, i.e., PSLA, PSBA, etc.||
 * Follow up on legislators breakfast
 * Giving our members the skills and tools to become politically active
 * News stories about advocacy create "buzz" about school libraries
 * A potential new Governor and lots of "freshman" legislators who can be cultivated
 * Working with parents/parent (grassroot) groups
 * Tap PaLA for their knowledge and background in this arena

< THREATS TO PSLA FROM ADVOCACY
 * May distract from our direct services to our members like professional development, publishing Learning and Media, etc.
 * Could backfire-PDE/Commonwealth Libraries may not like being pressured and become less supportive
 * As all types of libraries vie for more state funding, we could create opponents among potential allies, such as public libraries

What do we know about the needs, wants, and preferences of our stakeholders relevant to school library advocacy?
 * Our members want to "stop the bleeding" when it comes to cutting school library programs.
 * Our members want services from PDE restored
 * Our members recognize the need for advocacy, but many expect it to be done by a few - ie-the leadership
 * Most members do not like confrontation or becoming politically active; many are close to retirement

What do we know about the current realities and evolving dynamics of our environment that is relevant to school library advocacy?
 * We know that there are many "deciders" who make decisions about school libraries. Legislators have played a small role up to this point. Most decisions rest with school boards and school administrators.
 * Local officials are more likely to listen to the community (the electorate) than professionals
 * Funding is limited and will get more so. We are vying with other causes in schools and in budgets. There is no new money on the horizon.
 * Legislators seem to want to "tell us" how to talk to them as opposed to taking up our cause.
 * Parent organizations are an untapped resource to help in advocacy efforts. We need to educate them so that they can use their power to help us.
 * Lack of interest by legislators for an overall view in PA instead of focusing only on their own districts

What do we know about the capacity and strategic position of our organization that is relevant to school library advocacy?
 * We have a steep learning curve in advocacy. There are strategies and even professionals out there to teach us -- but we are way behind others who seek to have their voices heard in this decision-making process.
 * Most practicing school librarians are very busy people. Time spent on advocacy is time spent away from the "learning moments" of the students. If payoff of advocacy is seen as indirect and payoff of teaching/learning is seen as direct, the usual choice is going to be to spend time on teaching and learning.
 * PSLA members are located everywhere in the state. If all members take an active role, legislators, school board members, parents, etc. around the entire state can be contacted through advocacy efforts to "get the word out".
 * PSLA is capable of producing quality professional development programs and we can reach across the state with training
 * We have capacity and talents that are untapped in our growing number of retirees

What are the ethical implications of our choices in regard to school library advocacy?
 * Is it a wise use of the limited resources that we have available to our organization?
 * Does advocating statewide serve the interests of our members when the urban areas are so underserved and most of our membership is not urban?
 * Is "Think globally, act locally" a better strategy for advocacy?
 * Should state-employed school librarians become politically active and lobby?
 * Is it ethical to use student voices to communicate our message?

Ways to advocate
 * Parents
 * Retired librarians
 * Students
 * Teachers
 * Presenting at: PFA Meetings, Staff Meetings, School Board Meetings, other association conferences or meetings
 * Newsletters, blogs, wikis, etc.
 * Connect with other educational organizations-PSEA, PaFT, PSBA, PaTA, etc.