Whoo-hoo! $4.4 million for Washington state students
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The Washington state legislature has allocated new funds for school libraries, thanks to the work of Lisa, Susan and Denette and the hundreds of people who followed their lead, provided resources and backing, and called, e-mailed, visited and otherwise let the legislators know that a "citizens' army" felt strongly about strong school libraries for Washington's students. Check out the Spokane Moms' site and blog for all the facts--and the drama!
The Spokane Moms are willing to help parents and librarians in other states and have been contacted by people from OR, CA and AZ so far. I don’t know who in CA was the contact, but will see if I can get a name. The movement started with the Moms and was quickly backed by WLMA who provided networking and resources Lisa, Susan and Denette didn’t have. AASL and ALA spend a lot of time working with them.
Many of us have volunteers and parents who are supportive of strong library programs. Sending them to the to Fundourfuturewashington.org site and encouraging them to help is a good move. Parent are powerful advocates. As an organization, AASL will be targeting parent organizations first as we work to have more influence. Librarians must show up, but not alone….
Sara Kelly Johns
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PrintALA elections..Please vote!
Please vote in the ALA Elections. The 4,282 ALSC members, and 5,688 YALSA members constitute a strong youth presence within ALA. Add to that the 9,380 AASL members who represent a specific type of library! Representation by all of the above reflected on the governing ALA Council will give voice to youth services and school libraries. By sheer numbers, these combined divisions are a major voting block in ALA.
It is critical that Council has many voices speaking for youth and school members. On our web page, AASL has listed those candidates who are members of youth divisions.
Please pay special attention to credentials for the candidates. We can really make a difference on Council if every AASL, ALSC, and YALSA member votes. The ballots will be available next week.
Please vote! The more votes we have, the louder our voice...
Washington Senate bill passed unanimously...on to the House!
Thank you to everyone around the country who have passed the word on about the Washington legislation and/or showed support in other ways. Lisa's mother even came from Ohio to stay with her family so that she could be in Olympia!
GREAT news came later yesterday afternoon from Susan McBurney, one of the Spokane Moms (Denette, Susan and Lisa):
Susan wrote:
Well folks, unbelievably good news!
Olympia continues to mystify and thrill us. After passing out of Ways and Means yesterday, we expected to wait to be scheduled in the Senate Rules Committee. But .... SB#6380 was heard by and passed through the Rules committee this morning, and then went for a full Senate floor vote this afternoon. Senators McAuliffe, Eide, Marr, Brown, Honeyford, Hargrove, and Parlette spoke in support of the bill, and it in was UNANIMOUSLY PASSED just after 4pm this afternoon.
Lisa was there to experience it, and was mentioned by name in Senator Eide's speech. Our grassroots effort was also publicly recognized in the speeches given by Senators Brown, McAuliffe and Parlette.
THANK YOU EVERYONE for all you've done to get us here! This is an AMAZING accomplishment, a testament to all of us! The bill will go over to the house next. We'll keep you posted.
There will be more info. posted at the blog later http://librariesfordemocracy.org/fundfuture/
But we wanted you to know the great news.
YEE-HA!!!
Susan and Denette