Toolkit for School Library Media Programs - American Library ...

Student! Sarah will represent our school at the State
Science Fair with her project, which examined . . .
We’re pleased to note that the media center helped
Sarah locate several pieces of key research . . .”
● Get them into the library at least once during the
school year. Invite them to be special guests at
multicultural, literacy or other events hosted by the
library—especially if you know the decision-maker
has a special interest in that area. Invite them to
lead or participate in a discussion of the freedom to
read, copyright and other issues.
● Go to board of education meetings. Make it a point
to report on the media center’s activities at least
quarterly. Check to find out what type of reporting
is allowed and prepare accordingly.
● Host a meeting of the board @ your library. Provide
refreshments and a tour before the meeting.
● Send a basket of cookies, poster, coffee mug or
other token to their office with a note thanking
them for their support during School Library Media
Month.
● Make it clear that you share the board’s
commitment to quality education. Work with your
principal and superintendent to provide information
packets on topics such as the “No Child Left
Behind” legislation that may help their decisionmaking,
not just about the library media program,
but other aspects as well.
● Visit them. Board members and legislators have
many voices competing for their attention. It helps
to put a face on the cause. The ALA Washington
Office (www.ala.org/washoff) and many state library
associations sponsor legislative days as an
opportunity for librarians and their supporters to
meet with legislators.
● Make it easy for them to support you. Keep your
visits/presentations brief and to the point. Provide a
one-page briefing sheet on issues of concern with a
clear statement of the action you are seeking, along
with other pertinent information. Be sure to include
contact information for additional information.
● Support those who support you. If the board of
education is endorsing a particular piece of
legislation, send a letter or have your Friends group
send a letter to key legislators and forward copies to
the board.
● Thank them. In person. In writing—and in public
(whenever possible). You may wish to write a letter
25
to the editor or seek a newspaper editorial
recognizing a special effort.
Forms of Address
Although most legislators count emails received on a
particular issue, there is no substitute for a thoughtful
letter mailed or faxed, depending on the urgency.
Congress
Note: For e-mail addresses, see the legislator’s Web site
or the ALA Legislative Action Center at http://congress.
nw.dc.us/ala/home.
The Honorable ________________
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable _________________
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Senator/Representative ________:
State
Governors and Lieutenant Governors:
The Honorable ___________________
Office of the Governor (Lt. Governor)
State Capital
City/State/ZIP
Dear Governor___________________:
Legislators:
The Honorable ______________
Address
Dear Representative/Senator:
Board of Education
Dear President/Chairman:
Address members by their names and include titles such
as Dr./Mrs./Ms.
Forming a Friends Group
Athletic teams and bands have their boosters. Why
shouldn’t your school library have a Friends group?