PALS Workshops

The Prairie Area Library System (PALS) is sponsoring workshops this summer that are open to all school librarians. They will be held in the three PALS service centers (Coal Valley—Quad Cities area; Rockford, and Shorewood—Joliet area) on different days so attendees may choose whatever is most convenient. There is no charge for these programs.

I-SAIL: Illinois Standards Aligned Instruction for Libraries and Other Hot Topics. ISLMA has adopted a new K-12 library media curriculum that utilizes skill sets aligned to the AASL and Illinois Learning Standards. Attendees will be introduced to I-SAIL and other related resources on the I-SAIL wiki. Time will also be allowed for participants to share information on their Internet Safety Curriculum, Top Tech Trends, and other items of interest.

From That State Report to College-Level Research Readiness: Preparing Young People for College Research. Haven’t you always wondered what information literacy skills will be expected of students when they leave you? How does knowing how to evaluate a website turn into knowledge of APA or MLA style? You taught them Ebsco, but now they need peer-reviewed/referred journals and primary/secondary sources. Of course they still want to know “What is wrong with Wikipedia?”, “Why can’t I use just the web?” and “What is paraphrasing anyway?’ Charlet Key, director of Black Hawk College Library, will discuss strategies and tactics for preparing students to be research-ready when they arrive on their college campuses. No matter what level of students you work with, learn how that fits into the end product.

Monday, July 20, Coal Valley Service Center—Preparing for College Research- 9:00 a.m. – noon; I-SAIL- 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 21, Rockford Service Center — Preparing for College Research- 9:00 a.m. – noon; I-SAIL- 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 28, Shorewood Service Center– I-SAIL- 9:00 a.m.-noon; Preparing for College Research- 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Please register on L2 at http://www.librarylearning.info/?LibSys=PALS.

Other topics offered this summer include booktalks on the Monarch, Caudill, and Abe nominees and a workshop on finding funding in your community and beyond. For information on these or other workshops, please contact Jane Lenser (janel@palsnet.info) or Norma Applegate (normaa@palsnet.info).

 

ISLMA Summer Professional Development

Summer Professional Development Opportunities – Watch the ISLMA website for registration materials.

This summer, as a response to our survey and to provide professional development opportunities for our members throughout the state, we are holding workshops all over Illinois. Most of these are sponsored by the systems and registration is on the statewide L2 site. One session is sponsored by ISLMA and will be held at North Suburban Library System in Wheeling on July 23rd. Registration information will be on the ISLMA website. At that workshop, there will also be an afternoon session on Web 2.0 tools for school librarians to use. The cost for both workshops is $50 or you can attend only one session for $30. Lunch would be on your own. CPDUs will be available, 2 for each session at NSLS for a total of 4 for the entire day.

July 23rd I-SAIL workshop 10a.m.-12:00 p.m.:
The Illinois State Library Media Association (ISLMA) has adopted a new K-12 library media curriculum that utilizes skill sets aligned to the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and Illinois Learning Standards. Attendees will be introduced to I-SAIL and other related resources on the I-SAIL wiki. Presenters for I-SAIL sessions will include Angela L. Green, Library Development Consultant, Alliance Library System, Christy Semande, District Librarian, Canton CCSD #66, and Becky Robinson, School Library Media Specialist, Galesburg High School.

Web 2.0 Workshop 1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Everyone is talking about the Web 2.0 tools, what are they? Which ones work best for school librarians? Do I have time to do this too? Come and see what two of our members have found useful and successful in their school libraries. Our presenters are Katie Kirsch, the Media Specialist at Lake Bluff Middle School and Erin Wyatt, the Media Specialist at Highland Middle School in Libertyville.

There are several other Summer professional development opportunities that are offered by the library systems.
Registration for the following is available on the statewide L2 calendar located at http://www.librarylearning.info/
Other I-SAIL workshops are as follows:
June 16 Quincy Alliance Library System Summer Camp 2 CPDUs

June 23 East Peoria Alliance Library System Summer Camp 10:00 am-12:00 pm
2 CPDUs

July 7 Decatur Rolling Prairie Library System SummerCamp 1 CPDU

July 20 V-TEL Prairie Area Library System 1:00-3:00PM 2 CPDUs

July 21 V-TEL Prairie Area Library System 1:00-3:00PM 2 CPDUs

July 28 V-TEL Prairie Area Library System 9:00-11:00AM 2 CPDUs

August 5 Edwardsville Lewis & Clark Library System 1:00-3:00PM 2 CPDUs

Web 2.0/Technology Training
June 23 East Peoria Alliance Library System Summer Camp 1:00—3:00 2 CPDUs Presenter: Amy Oberts

Summer Camp for School Librarians: Put the Pieces Together at Your Library
Create, Collaborate, Communicate: Integrating Technology in Your School Library
July 7 Decatur Rolling Prairie Library System 8:15 am – 4:30 pm
Presenter: Ruth Shasteen
School libraries can connect students, faculty, and community in a collaborative environment to learn and integrate 21st century technology and information literacy skills. Ruth Shasteen will demonstrate strategies implemented at Central A & M High School and discuss the technology used. The strategies are applicable for all grade levels.
Google for Librarians
Presenter: Doris McKay
There is more to Google than meets the eye. Hidden behind the familiar search engine are free tools that can help get you organized and make your life easier. RPLS Consultant and Webmaster Doris McKay will introduce you to Google Docs, Google Reader, Google Notebook, Google Calendar, iGoogle and more. Learn how these Google applications can work for you.

 

I-SAIL Update

Wondering what’s new with I-SAIL (Illinois Standards Aligned Instruction for Libraries)?

There are now 2 different ways to access the I-SAIL document. It is still available at the following:

http://isail.wikidot.com

The ISLMA wiki is another way to access the document. Simply go to the ISLMA website or directly to:

http://illinoisschoollibraries.wikispaces.com/

While you are visiting the wiki, you’ll notice that the I-SAIL document is now in Word format to make it easier for you to use and manipulate for your own district needs.

I would also like to encourage the membership to share your thoughts and successes as you use the I-SAIL document locally. Once you go to the wiki, join up (it’s easy) and simply go to the Discussion tab. I’d like to really get a helpful discussion going on how you are using it in your district. Is it helping you design your library curriculum or address the standards?

I look forward to your feedback!

Becky Robinson, ISLMA Standards Function Rep

 

ISAIL unveiled at the ISLMA Conference

The 2009 ISLMA Conference has come and gone already. There was a lot of energy, sharing, and networking.

One session that really fired me up was Standards for the 21st Century Learner: A Sample K-12 Library Curriculum led by Becky Robinson, Christy Semande, and Angie Green. The room was packed to overflowing, so clearly it was a session that many others were interested in as well. The ISAIL (Illinois Standards Aligned Instruction for Libraries) draft document was presented. What an amazing amount of work has gone into creating the document so far! The document is organized in four levels: grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and high school, and uses four library & information standards as a framework. Each standard and level then is divided with library benchmarks, objectives, and aligned with Illinois State Learning Standards and AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner. The working group is looking for feedback and to bring other librarians into the fold to continue to work on the resource. Definitely check out the ISAIL wiki where you’ll find the document as well as supporting resources.

I really liked the metaphor that Christy talked about during the presentation. This document is meant to be a framework or a foundation for library programs. From that foundation each school library and librarian may build a different house. This effort is attempting to give us a common language and foundation to build upon and to clearly demonstrate that we are teachers working in all areas of the curriculum.

Another powerful lesson I was reminded of is the power and importance of professional learning networks. I posted to the my local library networking group about a handout for a session I was unable to attend. Several people responded quickly with offers to get me the requested information. Many of the session handouts have also been posted at the Conference Presentation wiki.

Thanks to all the conference committee folks who put together such a successful event!

Erin Wyatt, Highland Middle School, Libertyville