New York Times letter from AASL and ALSC president today

More about Lucky; see my post below for my first reactions.

There is only one letter to the editor today in the New York Times about the Higher Power of Lucky controversy and it is a joint letter from AASL President Cyndi Phillip and ALSC President KT Horning reaffirming the intellectual freedom principals of libraries. We all need to have both a one minute "elevator speech" about school libraries' role in supporting students right to read and the four minute version if a reporter calls.Take a minute to read it and to think about your stand on intellectual freedom.

Cyndi also posted some great guidelines for dealing with media on LM_NET last week:

Hello LMNetters;

I think we all have learned some valuable lessons in dealing with the
press lately. One of the best parts of my training to become the AASL
President was a session I had on how to deal with the press. Here were
some pointers:

#1 You will be misquoted

#2 You will talk with them at length and then the littlest side
comment you made will be what they use, totally missing your main message

#3 Ask to have final approval on article before it goes to press

In getting ready for an interview:

•Ask reporter if they are on a deadline. If Yes, ask how much time you can have to prepare a response.
•What is the focus of the interview?
•Prepare a key message.
•What do you want the audience to know?
•Anticipate and rehearse possible interview questions. (What are your vulnerabilities?)
•Don't lie or speculate, tell the truth.
•When you don't know the answer admit it and promise to get it for the interviewer.
•Never say "no comment." If you cannot comment, explain to the the interviewer why you can't.
•Be non-confrontational, cooperative and accessible.
•Nothing is ever "off the record."

Food For Thought,

Cyndi Phillip, Library Media Specialist
2006-07 AASL President
http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aboutaasl/aaslgovernance/aaslpres/presidentspage.htm
Grand Haven Area Public Schools
Grand Haven, Michigan
cphillip_56@yahoo.com

Comments

[Di Laycock]

It would seem that the problem in having the media present your story as it was told is universal. These guidelines are great and I'm going to pass them on to my colleagues. You're absolutely right about having the 'elevator speech' (love the term) and the longer version ready and waiting. How often do people get caught on the hop and end up saying the wrong thing, or omitting the main point?