Comments for District Dispatch http://www.districtdispatch.org News for Librarians and Friends of Libraries from the ALA Washington Office Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:07:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on School library provision included in reintroduction of SKILLS Act by Karen Krueger http://www.districtdispatch.org/2011/07/school-library-provision-included-in-reintroduction-of-skills-act/comment-page-1/#comment-2454 Karen Krueger Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:07:45 +0000 http://www.districtdispatch.org/?p=6585#comment-2454 I recently read the School Library Journal article, titled "He's Got Your Back," about Senator Jack Reed and his mission to introduce specific language into current ESEA legislation that would require school libraries to be staffed by a state certified or licensed librarian in order for dedicated funding to go out to the schools. I am a certified school librarian in central Texas, and this addition of language cannot come fast enough. School library doors are closing at least part-time in the name of budget cuts, and these closures are sending a message to students that reading, research, and the ability to discern and make quality judgements about sources of information are not as important as other school programs that are being funded and kept "open." It is critical that our profession rally together to try to get language into legislation that will support school library programs before our student's freedoms and rights to fair and equitable education are significantly impacted by the cuts to school library funding and staffing. I recently read the School Library Journal article, titled “He’s Got Your Back,” about Senator Jack Reed and his mission to introduce specific language into current ESEA legislation that would require school libraries to be staffed by a state certified or licensed librarian in order for dedicated funding to go out to the schools. I am a certified school librarian in central Texas, and this addition of language cannot come fast enough. School library doors are closing at least part-time in the name of budget cuts, and these closures are sending a message to students that reading, research, and the ability to discern and make quality judgements about sources of information are not as important as other school programs that are being funded and kept “open.” It is critical that our profession rally together to try to get language into legislation that will support school library programs before our student’s freedoms and rights to fair and equitable education are significantly impacted by the cuts to school library funding and staffing.

]]> Comment on U.S. House Introduces SKILLS Act by The Soldier Pond Library Project http://www.districtdispatch.org/2012/01/u-s-house-introduced-skills-act/comment-page-1/#comment-2451 The Soldier Pond Library Project Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:27:45 +0000 http://www.districtdispatch.org/?p=7435#comment-2451 I am so relieved to know that the SKILLS Act is not dead as many educators had feared. Libraries and effective library programs are the building blocks of education. We need to forget politics and do what is beneficial for our youth...our future. I am so relieved to know that the SKILLS Act is not dead as many educators had feared. Libraries and effective library programs are the building blocks of education. We need to forget politics and do what is beneficial for our youth…our future.

]]> Comment on ALA applauds announcement of FNPRM on digital literacy training in libraries by Marijke Visser http://www.districtdispatch.org/2012/01/ala-applauds-announcement-of-fnprm-on-digital-literacy-training-in-libraries/comment-page-1/#comment-2441 Marijke Visser Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:48:21 +0000 http://www.districtdispatch.org/?p=7484#comment-2441 Jim, you raise several good suggestions that we will be sure to pass on to the FCC staff working on digital literacy and broadband adoption. The FCC in general is committed to addressing specific issues faced by people with disabilities and how these issues affect their ability to go online. We believe that one of the next phases of the broadband adoption working group at the FCC is to look at these issues. Through our relationship with this FCC team we will be able to bring your concerns and suggestions directly to their attention. Jim, you raise several good suggestions that we will be sure to pass on to the FCC staff working on digital literacy and broadband adoption. The FCC in general is committed to addressing specific issues faced by people with disabilities and how these issues affect their ability to go online. We believe that one of the next phases of the broadband adoption working group at the FCC is to look at these issues. Through our relationship with this FCC team we will be able to bring your concerns and suggestions directly to their attention.

]]> Comment on ALA applauds announcement of FNPRM on digital literacy training in libraries by Karen Perry http://www.districtdispatch.org/2012/01/ala-applauds-announcement-of-fnprm-on-digital-literacy-training-in-libraries/comment-page-1/#comment-2438 Karen Perry Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:32:14 +0000 http://www.districtdispatch.org/?p=7484#comment-2438 Bravo to ALA for their work in this arena! So great to see the FCC's strong statement and recognition of the work that libraries do to help people with digital and information literacy. This is a need that contunues in teh field, an area where librarians are poised to help, and a huge opportunity to meet people in the community at "point of need." Bravo! Bravo to ALA for their work in this arena! So great to see the FCC’s strong statement and recognition of the work that libraries do to help people with digital and information literacy. This is a need that contunues in teh field, an area where librarians are poised to help, and a huge opportunity to meet people in the community at “point of need.” Bravo!

]]> Comment on ALA applauds announcement of FNPRM on digital literacy training in libraries by Jim Tobias http://www.districtdispatch.org/2012/01/ala-applauds-announcement-of-fnprm-on-digital-literacy-training-in-libraries/comment-page-1/#comment-2437 Jim Tobias Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:48:32 +0000 http://www.districtdispatch.org/?p=7484#comment-2437 I look forward to the amazing role libraries and schools will continue to play in fostering the adoption of broadband by people who would otherwise miss the bus. I say 'continue' because it's very clear from a number of studies that these institutions have been the first point of contact with the digital world for tens of millions of Americans (and many more millions in the rest of the world). One aspect that ALA can provide leadership on is accessibility for people with disabilities. These folks are already on the lagging edge of broadband adoption. The FCC should support a substantial accessibility component in its digital literacy program. This would include training the trainers on accessibility, subsidizing assistive technology where feasible, and connecting schools and libraries to the growing community of practice on inclusion. I look forward to the amazing role libraries and schools will continue to play in fostering the adoption of broadband by people who would otherwise miss the bus. I say ‘continue’ because it’s very clear from a number of studies that these institutions have been the first point of contact with the digital world for tens of millions of Americans (and many more millions in the rest of the world).

One aspect that ALA can provide leadership on is accessibility for people with disabilities. These folks are already on the lagging edge of broadband adoption. The FCC should support a substantial accessibility component in its digital literacy program. This would include training the trainers on accessibility, subsidizing assistive technology where feasible, and connecting schools and libraries to the growing community of practice on inclusion.

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