EMTA – Educational Media andTechnology Association

People throughout the state who work at BOCES, city schools or independent schools with an interest in educational media and technology can join the EMTANYS – Educational Media and Technology Association of NYS.
This organization works to negotiate pricing on resources and to provide an opportunity for people to come together statewide and network on these important topics for our schools. Our most recent conference in Syracuse this March included topics such as Internet Field Trips, Information Fluency Curriculum (yes , I presented that curriculum again!) and “Second Life” application in the classroom.

Here I am with the new President Elect of EMTANYS – Chuck Waters from OCM BOCES.

Bethlehem Blitz continues

Today I was at the Hamagrael Elementary School in Bethlehem visiting the new librarian there, Pam Held. Pam and her principal are determined to build a strong program. Pam has lots of energy and a solid understanding of inquiry based learning and information literacy skills. Teachers here are already begining to work with Pam in her first year on the job.
Darn, I forgot to take a picture

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With Council @ Lobby Day

The Capital Region BOCES SLS Council decided this year to attend NYLA’s Library Lobby Day as a group.

We had appointments with Assemblymen Tonko, Eddington and Reilly and Senators Farley and Seward. With each of them, we explained the high value of a solid school library program and the need for increased funding for school libraries and school library systems.
We feel very positive about the possibility for increases in the $6 and about full funding for NOVEL.

Of course, it’s all about politics and, between now and the final budget votes, a lot can happen. A new governor makes things even less predictable. Still, we are guardedly optomistic.

Lobby Day is an unusual opportunity to see citizens engaged in the political process at the grass roots level.

Bethlehem Blitz

The month of March includes site visits to all of the Bethlehem Central Schools.
On this day – March 6, I was in three schools, Glenmont Elementary, Bethlehem
HS and Bethlehem MS. It is a great way to really see the program of an entire
district. Later this month, I’ll be in some other Bethlehem Schools. Today
I was treated to a real overview of the K-12 program.

What impressed me about this day was the dedication of the librarians. I was very aware of the fact that I was a visitor in a learning community. In every building, our meetings were interrupted by students who had information needs, questions or just wanted to say hello. Every librarian in every building excused themselves to immediately respond to those students. People in suits are visitors, but they are never, ever more important than the students. How wonderful!

G. came in with his cheeks all rosy on this freezing cold day to say hello
to Mrs. B and let her know that he had had a good night of sleep and a solid
breakfast. He was ready for his 4th grade test!

Here’s the honest truth about this job – on days like this, I really, really
miss seeing kids every day!

Elsmere Elementary Library

Today I had the pleasure of visiting Nancy Smith and her principal, Kate Kloss in their library at the Elsmere Elementary School in the Bethlehem Central School district.

Kate, Nancy and I talked about the current program and their shared vision for the future. Nancy teaches the full range of information literacy skills to her students in grades K-6. While we talked, we could see independent learners taking responsibility for their own projects. Within her fixed schedule program, she has created flexibility for collaborations with her teachers.

The three of us talked about the fact that too few teachers or parents realize all that takes place in a solid library program. We discussed some possiblities for collecting and showcasing all that powerful evidence!

The library aide, Joyce, graciously agreed to snap this photo of Nancy and me as I was getting ready to leave.

Thanks for letting me visit, Elsmere! It was a pleasure.