An interesting thing happened on the way to the office …. Recently, on two occasions and in two separate environments, I heard the reference to teacher librarians as being thought leaders. Was this coincidence or something I should take notice of? I decided the latter and shared a few brief thoughts in several minutes at the opening of the K-12…read more →
“On one hand, budget and testing pressures have led to decisions to eliminate or de-professionalize school libraries. On the other hand, the increased emphasis on college and career readiness and the integration of technology have opened an unprecedented door to school librarian leadership” (Stripling 2014). At the end of May 2014 I stepped down as the Chief Executive Officer of…read more →
The NMC Horizon Report: 2014 Library Edition, examines key trends, significant challenges, and emerging technologies for their potential impact on academic and research libraries worldwide. Following the publication of the report, the New Media Consortium hosted a virtual symposium on The Future of Libraries which includes 4 videos on the following topics: Emphasis on mobile Content management & technical infrastructure…read more →
I am pleasantly surprised, very honoured and slightly stunned to be awarded an Exponential Entrepreneur of the Year Award for 2011. This year only 3 awards were presented. Here I am accepting the award from my Business Mentor Dr Marc Dussault, The Exponential Growth Strategist of Exponential Programs. I was attending the Business Blogging for Sales Lead Generation event hosted…read more →
Right at the start it is important to identify the difference between lobbying and advocacy. Lobbying is active campaigning of the government with the view to asking policymakers to take a specific position on an item of legislation. Advocacy is about working on activities that will influence policy. It is a consistent and persistent effort to shift perceptions through regular…read more →
Just returned from the Australian School Library Association (ASLA) Biennial Conference where I presented a keynote session — A profession at the tipping point: time to change the game plan Abstract: The nationalisation of K-12 education in Australia has the potential to have a Jupiter Effect (prediction that an alignment of the planets would create a number of catastrophes) on…read more →
During the House of Representatives Inquiry into School Libraries and Teacher Librarians in Australian Schools, the principals and personnel from the State and Federal Departments of Education were asked if they were aware of the research. The definitive answer was, no. I find this staggering, especially when it is these decision makers who espouse either the ‘Google it’ approach or…read more →
Although numerous studies of school libraries in other states have proven that well-funded, well-staffed school library programs have a positive impact on student achievement, a 2008 meeting with Lucille Davy, then NJ Education Commissioner, prompted NJASL to commission a New Jersey study to clearly answer the following questions: What does a good school library look like? What role does a…read more →