I do not believe higher education is the way to go. If you want to form
an alliance that will influence the profession then you need to convince
policymakers and legislators at the state/federal levels that we add
"value" to the educational process. As sad as it is, until Libraries
and Library Media Specialist are mandated by the government we will
always be in line for the chopping block. In my old district when
Library Media Specialist were RIF'd and replaced with library aides
someoone from the state teachers union actually said "if we push this
with the librarians, teachers and aides will lose their jobs." (I
guess that told me where I figuered in the world). Our elementary
librarians taught both information literacy and technology skills all
day spread between two or three schools, plus all the collaborating,
selection, etc.. Library aides are now doing that. And from what I see
this is happening all over the United States. I don't know what the
answer is but I do know that if we don't get out of our ivory tower and
do something we are going to be replaced.
Becky Vasilakis
Library Media Specialist
Amanda Clearcreek School District
Amanda OH
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