Annual Report for 2006

Submitted by Pat Ramsburg, Chair

September 2006

Activities and Accomplishments:

 

October, 2005 - WVLA Fall Conference - The School Library Division sponsored sessions specific to school libraries.

November, 2005 - Informational packets  - The latest research findings regarding academic achievement and school libraries were sent in packets to each WVDE Board member.

November, 2005 - 21^st Century Skills Initiative - School Division Chair, Pat Ramsburg, represented WVLA and AASL (a direct sponsor of the program) at the WVDE announcement of the 21^st Century Skills Initiative for WV schools.

January, 2006 - Database - A comprehensive database of all WV school library media specialists with school assignments and addresses was secured from the WVDE.

February, 2006 - Library Legislative Day - The school division hosted an informational booth manned by Ginny Frank and Pat Ramsburg.

February, 2006 - Voices from the Field:  A Forum for WV Educators - Pat Ramsburg and Ginny Frank represented WVLA as invited guests and participants in the 21^st Century Skills initiative sponsored by WVDE

March, 2006- Bulk Mailing - Second Semester Newsletter was sent to all 387 school librarians with news items, announcements, and membership solicitations included.

March, 2006 - Pat Ramsburg, Ginny Frank (Division Chair and Vice Chair), and Amy Hughes from Fairmont State University met with Dr. Steve Paine, WVDE State Superintendent, and others regarding the future of school libraries and library media specialists in WV.

March, 2006 - TIS INITIATIVE Partnership for 21^st Century Skills Program- Pat Ramsburg and Ginny Frank met with Dr. Jorea Marple, Brenda Williams, and Julia Benincosa from the WVDE and the Technology Integration Specialist grant program details were disclosed and discussed.

April, 2006 - Spring Fling:  The Division sponsored a session on 21^st Century Skills for School Library Media Programs.  During the School Division meeting a discussion of WVDE statewide initiative for TIS training for secondary school librarians was included.

May, 2006- Bulk Mailing - Spring Newsletter was sent to all 387 school librarians with news items and the announcement of the summer refresher workshop with registration information included.

July/August - Technology Integration Specialist - The WVDE sponsored a Technology Integration Specialist grant program for twenty-five (25) secondary school librarians from various county school systems throughout the state.   This technology training program will help to protect the school library media specialist positions in many schools.

July 19, 2006 - Summer Refresher Workshop - The fourth annual Summer Refresher Workshop for School Library Media Specialists was held at Marshall University College of Graduate Studies in South Charleston, WV.  Cheryl Ware, renowned WV children's author, was the featured speaker.  Approximately 35 school library media specialists attended.

August, 8, 2006 - WVDE Technology Conference - The School Library Division sponsored several sessions and presenters at the yearly WVDE technology conference in Charleston.

 

 

Other Activities:

 

1.      State-wide listserv for School Library Media Specialists

The WVDE continues service via a statewide listserv for all school library media specialists. 

2.      Library Media CSO's

The final draft was adopted by the WV State Board of Education.

                Copies were distributed to all school superintendents who then further 

                   distributed them to all school librarians.    

 

Recommendations:

 

1. The Division will promote the progress made with the Legislature by encouraging the legislature to fund a separate position in the WVDE to coordinate school library media programs and specialists.
2. The Division will secure a volunteer to maintain and provide updates for the Division's web page in order to continue to promote issues and activities specifically related to School Libraries through it as well as the newsletter, and the listserv. 
3. The Division will continue recruitment to WVLA's School Division, as well as to our national level affiliate, the American Association of School Librarians, so as to strengthen our voice concerning school library issues at both state and national levels.