Advocacy Why Teacher Librarians Should Be Involved in Every Students’ Learning Journey! How we advocate in Nanaimo Ladysmith Public School District Presented by Liz Sansoucy-Jones and Val Martineau Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools

Background Every time there is a budget discussion at the district level, Teacher-Librarians find ourselves on the potential chopping block. For the past 10+ years, NLPS TLs have had to make at least one presentation annually to the board to justify our existence. Last year we made one without our jobs being on the chopping blocks…here’s how we got there.

What we tried Skit – visual, comical, accessible Apples and Oranges – comparing the different roles of TLs vs Library Clerks and its impact on student learning Involved students and parents Visual pictures and a walk through when advocating to keep DRC open Quoted research on student learning impact Wine and Cheese – better than whining (borrowed from a BCTLA colleague) Visuals of what a room with books would look like without a teacher librarian 2007 presentation “Using a library without a teacher-librarian is like trying to find one book in a pile” Gail de Vos, author & storyteller. Picture 2 – What library space can look like

Successful strategies Know your facts – student impact, how it can be assessed Have real life examples & pictures Have other teachers speak on your behalf (this is huge for showing relevance) Be consistent with your message Educate Assume the trustees know nothing or very little about libraries and TLs Follow up by answering questions and providing any requested information

Our Successes Regular well attended TL learning sessions Collaboration – Our TL meetings 6 times a year have allowed us to share concerns and successes for years! We have learning sessions, sharing and guest speakers. These have kick started many a plan for advocacy over the years. For example, one retirement dinner led to the VLC position ADVOCACY IS BUILT UP OVER YEARS Includes break out sessions for secondary and elementary TLs

Pro Active Advocacy We have been invited to the table In the spring of 2015 NLPS teacher-librarians were invited to present to the new trustees the “Role of the Teacher-Librarian Within a Library Learning Commons”. It was pre-budget time. The goal was not to fight for our jobs, but to convey our role and its impact on student learning

Virtual Library Coordinator VLC 1.0 FTE Provide leadership and direction of a broad range of services to support the access of both traditional and digital resources Will take a leadership role in leading the transformation from traditional school libraries to 21 st century learning commons Promote the implementation of the new BC Curriculum Coordinate the access and logistics of The Destiny Library Management system Evaluate the districts present resource licensing agreements (ERAC) Provide direction as it relates to digital rights management Promote use of Aboriginal Education resources Assist classroom teachers in making technology more accessible and relevant for students in their learning activities Help create policies for cataloguing of resources Prepare for resource needs of teachers during curriculum changes Other duties as directed VLC is a position of leadership not just among the TLs but in our district

Looking Ahead Advocacy never ends NLPS sees the VLC & TLs as key leaders in our 4 pillars to success New BC curriculum including implementation, resource development, inclusion of Aboriginal perspectives and knowledge & technology Collaborative Inquiry – inquiry and innovation, leading and participating in professional learning communities PLCs Assessment – NLPS reading assessment implementation & formative assessment Inclusion – equitable access, UDL, celebration of diversity & inclusion policy implementation