1. Strong School Libraries: Communications Plan Summer 2009 Strong School Libraries Communications Plan California School Library Association Summer 2009 DRAFT 1.0

2. Strong School Libraries: Communications Plan Summer 2009 Strong School Libraries Communications Plan - Draft 1.0 Overview Long-term Goals CSLA Member Needs Fulfill Membership Needs Cost Analysis Key Messages Students deserve equitable access to libraries School Library Standards enable schools to create strong school libraries. Strong school libraries build strong students. Implementation Next Steps

3. Strong School Libraries: Communications Plan Summer 2009 Long-Term Goals Promote MESSAGE that equitable access to strong school libraries increases student success in school, college and careers. Communicate and advocate for state and national school library standards. Celebrate and praise state when standards are adopted, and schools/districts that meet or exceed standards.

4. Strong School Libraries: Communications Plan Summer 2009 CSLA Member Needs Definitions for a Strong School Library. Data to drive decisions for strong libraries (and compelling stories). Professional Development to market self and library.market self and library Programs -- Templates to support students and promote the library.

5. Strong School Libraries: Communications Plan Summer 2009 Fulfill Membership Needs Define a strong school library. Define Provide research data in meaningful and compelling ways. Reintroduce grassroots advocacy program, CSLA “Best Sellers” Campaign for Strong School Libraries. PR Committee working on CSLA-COE collaborative initiative.Best Sellers” Campaign Offer professional development courses; conference and workshop programs; ongoing communication through listserv and blog.

6. Strong School Libraries: Communications Plan Summer 2009 Cost Analysis Financial advantages: 1. for students: Grow strong students (21 st Century Learners) through strong library programs, yield strong economy, job market, country. 2. for members: Strengthen role and security of TLs & staff Gain/maintain library budgets, gifts, support Increase visibility of professional association

7. Strong School Libraries: Communications Plan Summer 2009 Key Messages Students deserve equitable access to libraries. School Library Standards provide blueprints for strong school libraries. Strong school libraries build strong students. STAY ON MESSAGE. Repeat messages.

8. Strong School Libraries: Communications Plan Summer 2009 Implementation 1. Communicate plan and specific actions to CSLA members. Media blitz, including a series of announcements, presentations, print, online, web 2.0 tools 2. Call for member participation; feedback. Stories, Sample Programs like “Athletes”, Participation in “Best Sellers” Campaign for Strong School Libraries, sign up for professional development, use social networking tools to repeat/reinforce MESSAGES. 3. Send external communications, messages regularly to California education community.

9. Strong School Libraries: Communications Plan Summer 2009 “Best Sellers” Campaign Grassroots advocacy. CSLA members. Website = http://bestsellers4schoollibraries.blogspot.com/ http://bestsellers4schoollibraries.blogspot.com/ Professional Development MARKETING tutorial = Under constructionUnder construction

10. Strong School Libraries: Communications Plan Summer 2009 Athletes as Readers and Leaders Model = Napa Valley Program. Designed for local implementation. Sample video = Librarians & CoachesLibrarians & Coaches “How-to” tutorial = http://athletereadersleaders.blogspot.com/ “How-to” tutorial

11. Strong School Libraries: Communications Plan Summer 2009 Next Steps July 2009: Share Strong School Libraries Communication DRAFT Plan with CSLA Board and PR Committee. Aug 13 - Share DRAFT plan with CSLA members at Library Summer Camp. Aug 14: Discuss plan at Board Retreat August 2009: Implementation.

12. Strong School Libraries: Communications Plan Summer 2009 Questions? Discussion This is a high-level overview, designed to be used by CSLA leadership to share and discuss with members. Action steps: Review the Communications Plan; Use the (3) key messages. Identify and invite 1-3 individuals to be an official "Best Seller" for strong school libraries. {Note: by the end of August, there will be a link on the tutorial for submitting or "registering" your "Best Sellers" with CSLA PR Committee. Consider starting an Athletes as Readers and Leaders program in your district. Share link with your athletic director, etc. Promote CSLA professional development tutorials (Classroom Learning 2.0 and Discovering Assistive Technology) because in addition to helping your school embrace 21 st Century teaching tools, they increase the visibility of CSLA and bring in a modest revenue to the association. Print out invitations to the 2 tutorials and post to faculty bulletin boards. CSLA PR Committee: Jackie Siminitus, Pete Doering, Glen Warren