1. Parents and School Librarians: Partners in Student Learning
Developing Parent Advocates A Packaged Presentation for a PTA/PTO Meeting
PSLA Conference April 14, 2012
Parents and School Librarians: Partners in Student Learning
Deb Kachel
Mansfield University
Instructor and Scholarship Director, School Library & Information Technologies Graduate School
PSLA Legislative Committee Co-Chair
Shannon Resh
South Western School District
Librarian, Park Hills Elementary School
PSLA Curriculum Committee Co-Chair
Hanover Street Elementary School PTO Mom and Officer (Co-Vice President)
This is the training PowerPoint for school librarians that accompanies the “Parents and School Libraries: Partners in Student Learning” PSLA Parent Program. Librarians should view this in preparation for scheduling a parent program with their school’s PTA/PTO. The program was developed as an initiative of the PSLA Legislation Committee in Spring 2012.

2. Parents and School Librarians: Partners in Student Learning
The Alphabet Soup of Parent Groups
PTA Parent Teacher Association
PTO Parent Teacher Organization
HSA Home and School Association
PCC Parent Communication Council
PALS Parents Are Life Savers
SWEPT South Western Elementary Parents & Teachers
PHSC Philadelphia Home and School Council
PAWS Parents Active With Southside
Parents and School Librarians: Partners in Student Learning
Elmwood CIA Community In Action
Watch DOGS Dads Of Great Students
…and some have their own websites!
"PTO" typically stands for "parent-teacher organization" and is the general acronym for the approximately 75 percent of parent-teacher groups that choose to remain independent of the National PTA. Many independent groups refer to themselves as a PTO; others have acronyms such as HSA (Home and School Association), PCC (Parent Communication Council), or the like. In the typical PTO vs. PTA discussion, all independent groups—those not affiliated with the National PTA—fall under the general PTO umbrella.
In a nutshell, PTAs are local groups that affiliate with the National PTA. These groups pay dues to their respective state PTAs and to the National PTA, and they receive benefits from those organizations. "PTO" is the general acronym for the many groups (PTOs, PCCs, HSAs, etc.) that choose to remain independent. PTOs are free to write their own bylaws, and they can either charge no dues at all, or keep whatever dues they do charge at their school.
While "PTA" is the most well-recognized acronym to the general public, perhaps because of the Harper Valley song and movie, these days approximately 75 percent of K-8 parent-teacher groups are actually independent PTOs. Of the more than 112,000 K-12 schools in the United States, about 25,000 of those still have formally affiliated PTA units.
Philadelphia Home and School Council is the School District of Philadelphia’s district level organization
“PTO vs. PTA: Differences at a Glance”
More info at
Refer to handout “PTO vs. PTA”

3. Learning about Your School’s Parent Group
Finding them:
Consult principal or guidance counselor
Check the district’s website
Look for the parent group’s website
Parents and School Librarians: Partners in Student Learning
Learning about the organization:
Who are the officers?
When and how often they meet?
Their projects, fundraisers, or interests?
In other words, do your research first!
Use the sample letter to customize an or letter of introduction.

4. Why is it so important to work with parents?
Parents have influence with decision makers!
Three Moms from Spokane, Washington, demonstrated their power. Their grassroots efforts  lobbied for four million dollars in a new line item for school libraries.
Parents and School Librarians: Partners in Student Learning

5. Quotables for Parent Advocacy
When families feel welcome in schools and participate actively in children’s education, children’s attendance, interest, motivation, general achievement, and reading achievement improve. (Padak & Rasinski, 2003)
Parents and School Librarians: Partners in Student Learning
Five minutes of parent advocacy for school libraries can have more effect than five years of what might appear as self-serving advocacy.
(Keith Curry Lance, Researcher)

6. Is your school library parent friendly?
Parent newsletters
List of passwords to use databases and directions/helpful hints
Parent webpage with links
Special programs
Encourage participation
Parents and School Librarians: Partners in Student Learning
Free newsletter for parents designed for school libraries 
available the first of every month
Special Programs - i.e., open house, literacy night, Read Across America events, student author night, etc.
The School Library Link is a free newsletter you can get each month and link on your website for free.
The “Parent’s Guide to the ______School Library” and “Ideas for Parent-Librarian Collaborations” are two handouts created for this program.
All handouts are available on the PSLA “Parent Advocacy” webpages at
The following additional resource includes a list of online resources:
Padak, Nancy and Timothy V. Rasinski. “Welcoming Schools: Small Changes that can make a big Difference.” Reading Teacher 64.4 (Dec 2010/Jan. 2011):
Refer to the “Parent’s Guide to the ______School Library” and “Ideas for Parent-Librarian Collaborations”

7. Parent Webpages and Links
Look at school library web pages and copy ideas
Can’t work with your school’s website? Create your own in wikispaces , edublogs, or other free web tools.
Parents and School Librarians: Partners in Student Learning
Kachel’s Soapbox Moment: School librarians need to claim ownership of their good and creative work so, by all means, identify yourself on the school library website and any handouts, lessons, powerpoints, or whatever you design and create. Do not be afraid to post a photo so parents get to know who you are or an so they can contact you. We must KILL the “invisible librarian” if we are to survive.
The graphic of the “School Library Websites” is from Joyce Valenza’s work at It includes examples of many school library websites that you can look at to get ideas.
Refer to the handout “Developing a School Library Webpage for Parents”

8. Implementing a PSLA Parent Program
Research
Who are they? What do they care about?
Connect
Introduce them to you and your library.
Parents and School Librarians: Partners in Student Learning
Prepare
WOW ‘em! (Yes, you can!)
Refer to the handout “Implementing a PSLA Parent Program” and “Resources for the PSLA Parent Program”

9. INCENTIVE! INCENTIVE! INCENTIVE!
The first 10 parent programs scheduled will receive a free packet of 25 AASL Parent Advocacy brochures.
Parents and School Librarians: Partners in Student Learning
Contact Deb Kachel when you have a date set at
Contact Deb Kachel when you have a date set at

10. Visit the PSLA Website and Wiki for Parent Advocacy Resources
Parents and School Librarians: Partners in Student Learning
PSLA Legislation WebPage: “Parent Advocacy” 
Also on the PSLA Conference Wiki at
 pslaconf.wikispaces.com
Need help or have questions? Contact Deb or Shannon at:
Deb Kachel or
Shannon Resh
PSLA members can request the PowerPoints from