We are seeing an increase in the number of book challenges in PA,   sometimes as curriculum material, and sometimes in school library collections.  We want to make sure that you are aware of existing resources that are available, and strategies for how to prepare for any issues that may come to your community.  So, we will offer an OPEN FORUM on this for library staffs and leadership from any type of libraries both school and public.

Representatives from the PA School Librarians Association as well as the Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA) and the PaLA Intellectual Freedom Committee will share information about issues they are seeing, actions they are taking, and resources.  The Forum structure is not formal training but meant to be a space for conversation and questions and answers with peer-to-peer sharing.    

Our recent video contest called “The School Library is Always Open!” had so many great videos submitted that we decided to feature them all on YouTube! Thank you to everyone who participated. Please share to stakeholders, administrators and others to celebrate the great work that school librarians did during the COVID-19 school closure and how we impact students digitally!  Thanks to EveryLibrary for helping PSLA sponsor this contest!

We know that schools are beginning to discuss re-opening plans. Some school librarians have been asked for ideas, protocols and plans. However, some school librarians are not part of the conversation.

In an effort to share ideas, strengthen our positions in our schools and to advocate for keeping school libraries OPEN – we have created a space for anyone who has developed a plan, protocol, procedure or ideas to SHARE them. This is what we do BEST! 

Please upload a PDF or Word Document of your Re-Opening Plan that you are willing to share with other school librarians. Please provide your email address IN THE PLAN as well as the form if you would also be willing to answer questions from other librarians through email.

The Pennsylvania School Librarians Association’s Board of Directors has approved a one page document titled “School Librarians at the Center of School Renewal and Transformation” to be used by the association and school librarians in their advocacy efforts. Created by Allison Mackley (@amackley), PSLA Immediate Past-President and endorsed by the PSLA Board, this can be shared widely with stakeholders as we educate them about the value and expertise of school librarians.

Friday, January 24, in front of the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) Administration Building, 440 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, from 12:30 to 1:00pm (students have a half-day of school) The event is being organized by PSLA and EveryLibrary, a non-profit, national political action committee for libraries. APPS, the Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools, is also supporting the rally, assisting with local arrangements. The Administration Building is four blocks from the Convention Center where the ALA Midwinter Conference is being held.

• Although there are over 200,000 students in SDP with 341 schools, there are fewer than 8 school librarians in the district, making it the worst librarian to student ratio in the nation.
• PSLA’s message: Every student deserves a certified school librarian and a quality school library.
• Lauren Comito, founder of Urban Librarians Unite and recent recipient of Library Journal’s Librarian of the Year Award will be the MC.
• Speakers include PA State Rep. Thomas Murt, a primary co-sponsor of HB 1355 and Senator Larry Farnese, a sponsor of SB 752. Jerry Jordan, President of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, Jessica Way, Caucus of Working Educators, Helen Gym, and Kendra Brooks, Philadelphia City Councilwomen, and a parent and student. There will be a photographer and media to cover the event.
• Please RSVP at https://www.saveschoollibrarians.org/rally_psla_20 .

“Behind the Scenes” the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association Board approved a special committee: Local and State Advocacy Committee for a duration of two years (January 2019 – December 2020). The co-chairs, Deb Kachel, Legislative Liaison, and Cathi Fuhrman, President-Elect, will be seeking members for this committee.

Proposed by Cathi Fuhrman, President-Elect and Allison Mackley, President

Background: According to the PSLA Bylaws, special committees can be established by the president and approved by the board. The president acts as an ex-officio member, and the chair(s) are appointed by the president with board approval. The chair(s) are voting members of the PSLA Advisory Council.

Rationale: Although PSLA has approved the role of Legislative Liaison to work as a member of the Communications Committee, legislative efforts must extend beyond the work of one person.