AASL

__** Brief History and Purpose Statement **__
The origins of AASL began at the Roundtable of Normal and High School Librarians, which first met at the January 1913 ALA Midwinter Conference. While two other groups promoting school library interests existed, the ALA-affiliated organization for school librarians eventually became the only national professional association for school librarians. However, it was not until 1951, when AASL achieved division status within ALA, that AASL had sufficient autonomy to direct its own programs.

The mission of the American Association of School Librarians is to advocate excellence, facilitate change, and develop leaders in the school library field.

AASL works to ensure that all members of the school library field collaborate to:
 * provide leadership in the total education program
 * participate as active partners in the teaching/learning process
 * connect learners with ideas and information, and
 * prepare students for life-long learning, informed decision-making, a love of reading, and the use of information technologies.

__**Basic Guidelines/Policies**__
The Bylaws and Organization Committee is given the task to review, revise, amend, and draft Bylaws for the association; to evaluate all present and proposed committee charge and function statements; to review and make recommendations on all association policies for inclusion in an official AASL Organization Handbook.

__**Legislative Agenda**__
One can sign up for the AASL’s Advocacy Tip of the Day (the options are daily, weekly, or monthly)

AASL Position Statement on the Strengthening Kids’ Interest in Learning and Libraries (SKILLs) Act: The AASL is supportive of this act, as recognition that requiring certified library media specialists in all public school library programs is essential to the success of all students

The Act requires school districts, to the extent feasible, to make provisions for at least one state-certified school librarian in each school library.

AASL did submit by letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, outlining their position statement on the National Educational Technology Plan 2010.

Furthermore, the AASL assumes a position on various other issues, such as Appropriate Staffing for School Libraries, Confidentiality of Library Records, and Flexible Scheduling.

An interesting note: on the AASL’s Advocacy tab, there is a page called A Nation Without School Librarians It was created by Shonda Brisco on March 26, 2010. It shows those municipalities that have made the decision to either eliminate certified school library positions (indicated in blue) or require one school librarian to work with two or more school library programs throughout the week (indicated in red). She solicits updates from anyone who knows of other cities who have followed suite, in doing this. Quite compelling! The link is below. []

PDF documents apparently exist for State Board of Education contacts, State Department Inquiry Task Force’s Reports, and the State Department of Ed contacts but the links are not working.

__**Membership Requirements and Contact Information**__
Membership Benefits:
 * A nationally recognized voice that ensures and advocates for the highest quality profession through learning standards, program guidelines
 * [|www.ala.org/aasl/learning4life]) and standards for professional preparation ([|www.ala.org/aasl/ncate])
 * National Research and Statistics including the only national longitudinal data set School Libraries Count! ([|www.ala.org/aasl/slcsurvey])
 * Lobbying efforts by ALA’s Washington DC Office to ensure school librarians are included in educational initiatives, funding and legislation ([|www.ala.org/aasl/ESEA])
 * Direct access to ALA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom including counseling on issues such as book challenges, access and privacy ([|www.ala.org/oif])
 * Toolkits and resources to use in your personal advocacy efforts including a Parent Outreach toolkit ([|www.ala.org/aasl/toolkits])
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">National advocacy efforts on behalf of the largest voice for libraries ([|www.ala.org/ola])

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In addition to supporting your professional organization, a membership in AASL/ALA also provides you:


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">National conference discounts up to $165 off non-member pricing
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A subscription to Knowledge Quest AASL’s official journal
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Continuing education and professional development discounts
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">10% off AASL and ALA publications
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Discounted rates on all ALA and division conferences

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rates: The following general contact information is posted on the website: American Association of School Librarians (AASL) American Library Association 50 East Huron Street Chicago, IL 60611-2795 Telephone: (312) 280-4382 | Toll free: 1 (800) 545-2433, ext. 4382 Fax: (312) 280-5276 E-mail: aasl@ala.org | Web: [] Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CST, Monday through Friday They also have more specific contact information posted for AASL staff.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">$115 || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I want to join AASL/ALA for the FIRST TIME. ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">$148 || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Renew my personal membership in AASL/ALA for the SECOND YEAR. ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">$180 || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Renew my personal membership in AASL/ALA for the THIRD YEAR. ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">$96 || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am a library support staff person employed in library and information services or related activities ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">$96 || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am employed full- or part-time in library service related activities at a salary of less than $25,000 per annum, or I am unemployed, and want to join AASL/ALA. ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">$71 || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am retired and want to join AASL/ALA. ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">$50 || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am already an ALA personal member and want to join AASL. ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">$53 || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am a student enrolled in a library science program (5-year limit), and want to join AASL/ALA. ||

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">June 23–28, 2011
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">ALA 2011 Annual Conference, New Orleans, La.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">October 26-30, 2011 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">AASL 15th National Conference & Exhibition, Minneapolis, Minnesota

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">[]
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What was striking about this website, is the ‘Essential Links’ where one can find and share essential resources for school librarians ([|www.aasl.ala.org/essentiallinks]).

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What is interesting is that Capstone has partnered with AASL. New or renewing members of AASL have an opportunity to receive 10,000 Capstone Rewards Bonus Points. These can be redeemed for Capstone products. This is useful for those of us who are regular Capstone clients.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">AASL seems to be aiming their focus towards guiding members to move up in the profession in a leadership capacity, via the Emerging Leaders Program. There is even a link aimed at School Library Media Students. It provides handy talking points, to use whenever we may mentor a youth who shows potential to join the ranks of us library media specialists.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">AASL provides 3 ways to join. It’s nice that there is a detailed description of the membership benefits. They have about 8 different membership rate plans! It seems as though it helps to be an ALA member, when it comes to joining AASL.