Love That Library!

The American Library Association is issuing a call-to-action among all staff and users of school libraries. "We need your help," ALA writes, "to ensure the inclusion of the Strengthening Kids' Interest in Learning and Libraries (SKILLs) Act in the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)."

According to the ALA, the SKILLs Act "is the single most important piece of legislation concerning school libraries that will come before Congress this year. Reauthorization of this bill is critical to the future of school libraries." The unfunded amendment to NCLB is scheduled for Senate review in February.

The ALA notes: "The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor will both soon be considering reauthorization of the NCLB. In order for the SKILLS Act to be included in NCLB —that is, to place a state-certified school library media specialist in every school— each member of the House and Senate must co-sponsor the SKILLS Act."

The bill, according to the ALA, "would add language to No Child Left Behind that would require to the extent feasible that each school district employ at least one state-certified media specialist in each school; expand training, professional development and recruitment activities to include school media specialists; ensure funds will serve elementary, middle and high school students; and, require books and materials be appropriate for and engage the interest of students in all grade levels, and students with special needs, including English language learners."

Send some "love" to your legislators

support of the SKILLs Act (and the LSTA funding for library expansion), the ALA is encouraging all library staff and patrons to send "I Love My Teen Services Librarian" or "I Love My School Librarian" Valentine cards to their U.S. Senators and Representatives, and to ask their elected officials to co-sponsor and/or support for libraries.

Hearts and flowers?

Your Valentine to libraries can take any creative form, but the message should be simple: "I love my librarian and you should too!" Please sign on as a cosponsor for the SKILLS Act (HR 2864 and S. 1699)" OR "I love my librarian and you should too! Please support funding for libraries through LSTA."

And once Valentine's Day is over…keep the "love" going with continued correspondence with Congressional representatives.

For more information, visit the I Love Libraries Web site.