ALA news and an alert

[Mike Eisenberg <mike@ericir.syr.edu>]

Hi.  I just returned from the ALA conference.  It was great, but very
hectic.  Everyone seems to be working very hard for libraries of all
kinds and school library media programs specifically.  I think we can all
be proud of AASL and ourselves.  If you aren't a member of AASL, I
strongly urge you to join.  We need your support - financial, but also to
stand up and be counted on the national level.  There are major issues
facing us, in Congress and across the country (see below).  ALA and AASL
are our voices in this.

On the fun side, the LM_NET breakfast was terrific as usual.  Thanks to
Oryx Press and Linworth.  They are classy outfits and make us look good.
Oryx also provided the LM_NET stickees - bold, red, and striking.
Thanks again, Oryx.

Joyce Valenza and Carol Simpson both spoke at the breakfast. Joyce talked
about being a member of LM_NET, some of the joys, and some of the
concerns.  The conversation and the professional exchange is terrific.
But, if we all used our subject lines a little better, we might make it
easier on the entire group.  Carol spoke about the Hospitality Committee
and all they do behind the scenes.  The "civilized" nature of LM_NET owes
a lot to the Hospitality Committee.

Other quick news items --

Look out for I Connect: A Special AASL Technology Project.  LM_NETTERS -
you are going to love this!  I hope that Pam Berger will post something
for all of us about this soon.

Count on Reading is humming along - over 500,000 reads in a very short
time.  Need more info?  Ask someone on LM_NET.

Major legislative alert - We were told that LM_NETTERS don't respond with
calls for political action as much as we need to.  Yes, I too am guilty
of this.  Please - contact your congressperson or senator now to support
the school library parts of the ESEA legislation.  Tom Hart sent out
something to us on January 31st.  Take a look and do it - now (please).

Also major alert regarding a threat to school library media specialists -
in the state of New Jersey.  It seems that school library media
professionals were just placed in the _non-instructional_ employee
category.  This came down from the Governor and state level!  We need to
react - as a group and as individuals.  Stay tuned for more info, but if
anyone in NJ can tell us to whom we should address our outrage - please
email directly to LM_NET.   ....remember San Diego!

To end on an upnote, I was impressed with the way everyone pulled
together, rolled up their sleeves, and got down to moving our profession
forward.  Lots going on - especially the work on revising/expanding
Information Power.  Trust me - you can be proud to be part of this
profession.

Respectfully submitted,

Mike Eisenberg