AASL Prez Carl Harvey Launches Petition to Save School Libraries
RSSBy Debra Lau Whelan
OK, guys—let's give it another shot. Remember that online petition a few months ago urging the Obama Administration to ensure that every school have a state certified media specialist and enough resources for students to become lifelong learners? Well, it fell way short of the required 25,000 signatures needed to make it to the president's desk. But don't despair—here's your chance to make it work. "Such action will ensure more students have access to the resources and tools that constitute a 21st century learning environment," the petition reads. "Reductions in school library programs are creating an 'access gap' between schools in wealthier communities versus those where there are high levels of poverty." Harvey revives the same "We the People" web platform used by Seanean Shanahan, a Los Angeles-based blogger and teacher-librarian at South Region High School #2, who created a similar petition in October. Since White House petitions can't be initiated by associations, Harvey has introduced it as a concerned citizen rather than as AASL president. You better get moving fast: exactly 25,000 signatures are needed by February 4 for the new petition to be viewed by the White House staff. But as of January 12, there are only 6,711. That's right—a total of more than 18,000 names are needed to succeed. Harvey is urging library supporters to take a few seconds to sign his petition—and to spread the word to everyone, whether it's your colleagues, family members, or acquaintances. And be sure to do it via Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking channels. Please keep in mind that the petition software is temperamental, so if you're having troubling signing in the first time, don't give up—just log out and log back in or try another web browser or even a different computer. Those wishing to sign the petition must have a Whitehouse.gov account. To obtain one, click the 'Create An Account" button, and you'll be asked your name and email. Once you enter the information, you'll receive an email from Whitehouse.gov with a link back to the petition. Click the link and your account will be verified and you can sign the petition. The American Library Association says another way to support school libraries is to contact your members of Congress to make sure that language from the Strengthening Kids' Interest in Learning and Libraries (SKILLs) Act is included in the reauthorization of ESEA.
Thanks for this, Debra! We need to push this out to all librarians and every one of their friends to make that goal... Thanks for this story, Debra! We need to push this out to all librarians and every one of their friends to make that goal... I did a petition for this this week - wonder if it's the same. It was a nightmare getting to sign the one I did - I am not surprised that we fell short of the number needed - many are in my position where they are the only one doing all the work. Why not try doing the petition on Change.org? * = Required information
January 12, 2012
Carl Harvey, a librarian at North Elementary School in Noblesville, IN and president of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), has launched another White House petition stating that every child in this country deserves access to an effective school library program and urging the president to include a dedicated funding stream for school library programs in the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
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