The document discusses how library programs can inspire student activists by being transparent and continually showcasing student learning, creativity, and growth. It advocates that libraries provide unique learning opportunities not offered elsewhere in the community to remain indispensable. By making programs accessible to all stakeholders and evolving alongside changing needs, libraries can ensure transformations are successful and meaningful. This will help libraries gain loyal supporters willing to advocate for continued funding.

1. Inspiring Activists … How your practice can save an institution Lisa Layera & Susan McBurney Idaho Library Association Conference October 6 2010 – Post Falls, Idaho

3. We are living through,and are right at the key moment of,a change in the way that ideas are created, spread, and implemented. Seth Godin

4. library programs must adapt

5. You don’t “get” activists …. you earn them.

6. How we became activists ….

7. “It’s too late for me. I’m just a pizza lady. If my kids have any shot of going to college it’s going to be because of the computer skills they were learning in the library.” Spokane parent from Holmes Elementary School the poorest elementary school in WA State

8. Spokane, WA Spring 2007 8

9. Spokane, WA Spring 2007 9 Information Literacy Programs DIMINISHED

10. Spokane, WA Spring 2007 10 Technology Training COMPROMISED

11. Spokane, WA Spring 2007 11 Project-Based Learning no longer SUSTAINABLE

12. Spokane, WA Spring 2007 12 Collaboration IMPOSSIBLE

13. Spokane, WA Spring 2007 13 Accelerated Learning Opportunities CURTAILED

14. Spokane, WA Spring 2007 14 One-on-one Interventions no longer FEASIBLE

15. 15

16. “Swim upstream to Olympia.”

17. “Tell them not to bring librarians.” Education Appropriations Chair Washington House of Representatives

19. Who stood with us?

21. Why did 15,000 Washingtonians take action? Achievement Gap Access to the Information Age Equity Library Programs as Basic Education 21st Century Skills I  Libraries ! Workforce Readiness Literacy Global Preparedness Democracy

22. What happened? $4 million emergency bridge funding secured in three months line-item for teacher librarians in landmark education reform bill

23. How did it happen? mobilization

24. Why did it work? stakeholder voices kid-centric graciousness

25. Why does it matter? equity access opportunity

26. Nobody was against libraries. “It would be like voting against moms and apple pie!” WA legislator

27. The financial reality …..

28. There will be more cuts.

29. Why are libraries a good investment? What should be cut to fund them?

30. These questions are not going to go away.

32. Why are libraries a good investment?

33. Getting information off the internetis like taking a drink from a fire hydrant. Mitchell Kapor

34. Kids need information specialists.

36. Kids need access to technology.

38. Kids need a chance to become literate.

39. People were willing to fight for this.

41. Times have changed.

44. What do kids really need?

46. Are libraries really worth the investment?

47. What do you need to do?

50. Grow a modern library, information and technology program that ….

51. … meets the needs of all stakeholders

52. … is transparent

53. Showcasing is a catalyst for enthusiasm.

54. “What we’re most proud of are the student voices. We are fast becoming the go-to place for students to post information about their projects, clubs, and interests.” Kevin McGrath Librarian, Newton North High School, MA

55. Creating a Program Stakeholders Will Fight For Emerging Technologies Physical Space Website __ train Student IT Fellows __ virtual poll (what do they want) __ make it a destination __ create hashtag for favorite new technology or tool; solicit student submissions students __ showcase student work __ hip, comfortable furniture __ solicit content feedback __ facilitate new clubs / meet-ups __ start a web design club __ cultivate hygge-coziness, tranquility __ Harkness tables for seminar-style teaching. __ become peer coach of technology __ launch ‘Teacherbook’ teachers __ offer emerging technology training __ create conferencing space for classes (Skype and beyond) __ create grade-level resources, teachers customize __ parent tech. training night __ facilitate parents contributing to hygge __ create robust ‘Parents Tab’ __ create tech. wish list parents __ survey parent needs __ ask PTA to fund Student IT Fellows’ travel to tech. conference; librarian as chaperone __ PTA-sponsored foreign language station w/ Rosetta Stone software __ launch Parents’ Wiki __ invite to any ‘presenting’ of resources; facilitate their taking ownership and celebrating __ offer emerging technology training __ feature on district homepage admin. __ facilitate principal’s blog __ send out Horizon Report __ facilitate supdt’sblog __ get them started on Twitter __ send ‘Emerging Technology Tips’ to legislators and their LAs __ create ‘Local Civics’ section __ invite every fall during off session __ create ‘Ask Your Legislator’ feature w/ librarian as intermediary legislators __ offer to set them up on Twitter __ invite to dedicate new equip., upgrades, etc. Lisa Layera & Susan McBurney, 2010

56. Connectivity Lookout Portal __ facilitate global connectivity with Skype, FlatClassroom etc. __ Horizon Report w/ trends and opportunities __ champion virtual portfolios __ showcase student art __ spearhead assessing keyboarding mastery __ help students develop and grow their own PLNs students __ steward senior projects __ spearhead 1:1 initiative w/ city, district and community __ annual student-designed LIT program theme __ leverage flip cams __ teach about PLNs, facilitate your staff getting started __ start in-service days with New Tools Roundup (preferably free ones) __ create blogs, class wikis, & pathfinders for every teacher teachers __ create a Connectivity Pathfinder for staff __ showcase one project with every teacher over year __ know the challenges the filter presents for teachers. update admin. __ connect teachers to Twitter __ create hashtag and deliver daily nuggets on what students/classes are doing; catalyst for dinnertime conversation __ Horizon Report w/ emerging tech. trends, top 10 sites for kids, summary of what kids are learning and producing that quarter __ send Holiday Horizon Report w/ gift recs., hottest trends parents __ invite to be on Technology Leadership Team __ set up Google Reader for principal, supdt., school board __ invite admin. to student shows __ ongoing: send resources for Strategic Plan update admin. __ invite admin. to legislator visits __ keep administration informed of 21st C. leadership opportunities __ invite school board to student shows __ form committee on social media policy __ be their reference go-to person __ create annual Legislators’ Report; frame as thanks; kid-centric showcasing student work and $$ investment __ digital postcards from kids __ track their work and send notes of appreciation legislators __ facilitate mid-session briefing for interested students __ host a session wrap-up Lisa Layera & Susan McBurney, 2010

57. Activists are loyal and enthusiastic.

59. may be unaware that a crisis exists

60. noncommittal (given the plethora of important issues)

61. Inspire activists who see your program as indispensible and are willing to take action on its behalf.

62. The shortest and most effective route to inspiring activists ….

63. transparency

64. Providing what’s not being done or delivered by anyone else in the school or community.

65. Your best offense is also your best defense.

66. showcase

67. showcase student learning

68. showcase student creativity

69. showcase students evolving

70. showcase adults transforming

71. What can ensure that the transformation of your practice is successful and meaningful?

73. transparent

74. accessible to stakeholders

77. students

78. teachers

79. administrators

83. continually evolving

84. “If the library might come to be seen more as a workshop where information isn’t so much a product as it is a raw material (a Kinkos for kids, if you will), then it may not only become viable, but an essential institution.” David Warlick

85. showcase

86. “Teacher-librarians must step up and commit to developing and implementing information literacy programs that are comprehensive, predictable (consistent over time), and accountable. Mike Eisenberg

87. This is undoubtedly the most exciting time in history to be a librarian. Joyce Valenza and Doug Johnson

88. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6wRkzCW5qI

89. lisa@fundourfuturewashington.org susan@fundourfuturewashington.org