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AASL National School Library Program of the Year
Richard Hasenyager From left to right Rocco Staino, NSLPY Committee Member; Betty Marcoux,
NSLPY Committee Chair; Jan Jones, Churchill High School Librarian, North
East ISD, Richard Hasenyager, Director for Library Services, North East ISD;
Melissa P. Johnston, NSLPY Committee Member; and Pamela Renfrow,
NSLPY Committee Member
These photos were taken at the AASL Awards Luncheon at ALA in New Orleans. Here is a link to the press release concerning North East ISD's award:
http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/news/ala/north-east-independent-school-district-named-national-school-library-program-year
TASL Recipient of AASL Award 
The Texas Association of School Librarians is the proud recipient of the 2011 ABC-CLIO Leadership award, sponsored through the American Association of School Librarians (AASL). This award was established in 1986, and the grant of up to $1,750 is given to school library associations that are AASL affiliates for planning and implementing leadership programs at the state, regional, or local levels. David Shuster, TASL Councilor (2009-2012) and Susi Grissom, AASL Region VI Director-Elect (2009-2011) co-wrote this proposal for submission to AASL. This is a first for our state to receive this esteemed award.
Texas Association of School Librarians (TASL) has identified the Texas PTA (TxPTA) as a critical partner in supporting the school librarian’s role in student learning. TASL board and volunteers will partic ipate in the Texas PTA SUMMER LEADERSHIP SEMINARS on July 8-10, 2011, in Austin, TX, presenting a session on librarian/parent strategies for learning and sponsoring a booth in the exhibit area. The proposed project seeks to build on TASL’s participation in TxPTA leadership conferences.
TASL seeks to share librarians’ knowledge and expertise with the TxPTA while forging a partnership to assure that (1) children are not overlooked when funding education programs; and (2)librarians and parents work together towards the goal of improved student learning. In addition to sponsoring a booth, TASL members will lead a break-out session as a part of the summer leadership seminars programming. Focusing on the librarian/parent partnership in learni ng, TASL will develop resources to be distributed at the session.
This collaboration will continue annually. There are opportunities to expand this type of leadership project with other State Associations - ASCD (Texas’s affiliation of Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, TASB (Texas Association School Boards), and possibly others yet to be identified.
With the leadership and team work of other members of both TALS and the Texas PTA, this partnership between two well-founded organizations will continue to create a solid bond to promote libraries and its use among students and their parents.
A link to the American Librarie s news release: http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/news/ala/abc-clio-grant-recipient-focuses-collaboration-parents
David Schuster receiving award from Sharon Coatney David Schuster
AASL Vision Tour 2011
Posted: April 8, 2011
Sally Rasch, librarian at Carroll Elementary in Aldine ISD, hosted Dr. Nancy Everhart, president of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) during her visit to the school on Thursday, February 24. During the year of her presidency, Dr. Everhart is traveling across the country with the goal of visiting an outstanding school library in every state. The Vision Tour is an effort to highlight for the general public the importance of excellent school libraries and their contributions to learning.
Students and administrators gathered in the Carroll library to meet Dr. Everhart. Sally showcased library programs that supported the curriculum and featured "What the Library Means to Me" essays written by her students. Following this presentation, Dr. Everhart met informally with students, teachers, and other district librarians. Cindy Buchanan, Systems Administrator, Library Media Services, Aldine ISD and TASL Past Chair, coordinated this Vision Tour visit. Carroll Elementary has been named an Outstanding School Library by the Texas Library Association and is a model for an exemplary school library.
Check out Nancy Everhart's Vision Tour website at http://www.outstandingschoollibraries.org for more information. Click on the "Carroll Elementary librarian Sally Rasch in Houston, Texas says to 'keep the main thing the main thing'" link to read her blog entry about the Carroll Elementary visit.
Photo: Sally Rasch, Carroll Elementary librarian, proudly displays the plaque she received from Dr. Nancy Everhart, center, president of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) during Dr. Everhart's visit to the school on Thursday, February 24. Also pictured are Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. Wanda Bamberg and a group of Carroll Elementary students.
Library Legislative Day: February 16, 2011
February 16 is the day for librarians to make our issues known during the important legislative session that is under way. This legislative session will most likely have a major impact on school funding that affects school libraries in one way or another.
Join us in Austin on February 16 to let our legislators know what their cuts mean to the students of Texas. If you have never done this before, it is a wonderful experience and lesson in civics. Encourage vocal parents and community members to accompany you, too.
TLA provides training, support, and materials to share with the legislators. What is required of you is a 10-15 minute visit with the representative or aide where you share your stories of the impact of library programs on your students in preparing them for careers and higher education. An experienced delegate leader will guide the discussion.
Jennifer LaBoon, TASL Legislative and Advocacy Chair, has placed this call for volunteers. Please join us for Library Legislative Day or watch for other ways in which you may participate in this process. Every voice counts!
TASL Sponsors Letters About Literature
The Center for the Book In the Library of Congress in partnership with Target presents Letters About Literature, a national reading and writing promotion program. This program is sponsored in cooperation with the Texas Center for the Book and the Texas Association of School Librarians.
Entrants must be 9 years old or above and in one of the following levels: (1) grades 4-6; (2) grades 7-8; or (3) grades 9-12. To enter, readers are asked to write a personal, reflective letter as if they were having a conversation with the author. The deadline for entering is December 10, 2010.
For more information, see the PDF link below.