NEWS | ALA
New Study Reaffirms School Library, Academic Link
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LA President Loriene Roy said preliminary results from recent Syracuse University School of Information Studies research proves, yet again, how important school libraries and certified school library media specialists are in the education process, The report indicates that language test scores in New York State schools with certified librarians are higher than in those schools without librarians, The research was conducted on schools that administered the English Language Arts test to 4th-graders statewide covering several language skills, including reading, writing, and listening. Preliminary findings indicated a
10-point increase of test scores in America. The legislation would be schools with library media specialincluded in the reauthorization of ists. the No Child Left Behind Act now Roy said these under consideration results are “why by Congress. legislation, like the The New York “Legislation, like SKILLs Act, is so Library Association the SKILLs Act, is important for the reports that certified so important for school library media future of our naspecialists are only tion’s children and the future of our mandated for grades would solve the crination’s children.” 7–12, not at the elesis facing school – Loriene Roy mentary level. NYLA libraries.” reports that there are Library advocates currently 568,924 across the nation K–12 students who do not have acare supporting the Strengthening cess to a certified school library meKids’ Interest in Learning and Lidia specialist. braries (SKILLs) Act, which would For more information, visit www place a state-certified school library .nyla.org. media specialist in every school in
Legendary entertainer and children’s author Julie Andrews (see p. 8) is serving as honorary chair of the 50th observance of National Library Week, “Join the circle of knowledge @ your library,” April 13–19. Andrews stars in a series of free downloadable online public service announcements available at www .ala.org/pio/nlw. Broadcast-quality tapes are also available for purchase. She is also the author or coauthor of 20 books. Her latest, Home: A Memoir of My Early Years, will be released by Hyperion this month.
In addition to the Andrews’ PSAs, the NLW website offers promotional tools, including a sample proclamation, press release, radio PSA scripts, and letter-tothe-editor. All documents are available in both English and Spanish and can be customized for local use. National Library Workers Day, sponsored by the ALA–Allied Professional Association, is April 15. Nominees for special NLWD Stars are being accepted as well as input on library programming, equipment, and benefits that are helping to improve staff health. Visit www .ala-apa.org for more information.
The 2008 National Library Week poster, bookmarks, and digital art files illustrate how knowledge comes full circle at the library. To purchase, visit www.alastore.ala.org.
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american libraries
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april 2008
National Library Week Celebrates 50 Years
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3/17/2008 9:22:20 AM