1. Adolescent Literacy Plan guides path to improved literacy
2. Public library annual report online form now ready
3. Celebrate Read Across America Day on March 2
4. Woman's Day magazine seeks stories on using the library to save money
5. Website of the Week - Federal Citizen Information Center
6. Calendar
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1. ADOLESCENT LITERACY PLAN GUIDES PATH TO IMPROVED LITERACY
State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster called the Adolescent Literacy Plan a roadmap to improved literacy among middle and high school students as she accepted the final report during her opening remarks for the 2009 Wisconsin State Reading Association Convention in Milwaukee. "Demand for high school graduates who can understand increasingly complex and technical materials has never been greater," Burmaster noted. "This plan will help us ensure all students in Wisconsin can meet those demands."
The plan recognizes the importance of being able to read and write and defines literacy for the modern world. Twenty-first century literacy includes the ability to manage, synthesize, and analyze multiple streams of information. Literate adolescents need a strong foundation in subject area content. They must draw on that knowledge as they think globally and creatively when identifying and solving problems and recognize the interconnectedness and diversity of the world.
The State Superintendent's Adolescent Literacy Task Force was co-chaired by Doug Buehl, a retired reading teacher and education consultant from Madison, and Mary Pfeiffer, director of instruction for the Green Bay Area School District. Representing public libraries on the task force was Marcia Sarnowski, Library Consultant with the Winding Rivers Library System.
The group evaluated the status of adolescent literacy across the state, finding gaps in high school completion and reading achievement by racial and ethnic groups. They also found declining reading achievement test scores between middle school and high school. Data revealed higher student achievement in schools that have strong library media programs and those that have aligned and integrated information technology literacy standards with content standards and lessons.
The plan recognizes the role public libraries play in helping adolescents achieve literacy and recommends that public library staff be involved in local planning to address adolescent literacy needs.
"The challenges of the 21st century demand nimble, self-regulated, literate citizens who are prepared to compete in the global economy and who have deep knowledge across content areas," Burmaster said. "This plan sets an ambitious and vital agenda for improving adolescent literacy."
The State Superintendent's Adolescent Literacy Plan is available on the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction website at
http://www.dpi.wi.gov/cal/adolescentliteracy.html.
2. PUBLIC LIBRARY ANNUAL REPORT ONLINE FORM NOW READY
The electronic form for the Public Library Annual Report is now available for data entry. Links to the forms site, as well as PDF copies of the instructions for the annual report and use of the electronic form are available at
http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/annrpt.html.
Please contact your library system staff or John DeBacher, (
john.debacher@dpi.wi.gov) if you have problems using the electronic form. The report is supported for use with Internet Explorer (version 6 or higher) and Acrobat Reader version 7.0.9 or higher. Remember that dollar amounts must be added as numeric values--do not enter commas or dollar signs (they will be generated as necessary in the printed form).
Libraries are encouraged to collect necessary information, addresses, financial information, and circulation data on a paper copy of the form before logging into the electronic form. This greatly reduces the chance that the form will reset or time out before you have completed a section. Once you have completed the form and printed a copy for review, be sure to also have your library system staff review the information before it is submitted.
3. CELEBRATE READY ACROSS AMERICA DAY ON MARCH 2
The National Education Association annually sponsors Read Across America. Now in its twelfth year, the program focuses on how important it is to motivate children to read, in addition to helping them master basic skills.
The nationwide reading celebration takes place each year on or near March 2, the birthday of children's author Dr. Seuss. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, community centers, and more participate by bringing together kids and books.
Resources to help celebrate Read Across America Day are available at
http://www.nea.org/readacross.
4. WOMAN'S DAY MAGAZINE SEEKS STORIES ON USING THE LIBRARY TO SAVE MONEY
In its March issue, on stands now, Woman's Day magazine announced a call for entries on a timely topic: using the library to help save money. From February 17 through May 18, women ages 18 and up are invited to send in stories in 700 words or less to
womansday@ala.org. Up to four stories will be profiled in the March 2010 issue.
Librarians can download free tools to help collect local stories from the Campaign for America's Libraries Web site (
http://www.ala.org/@yourlibrary). Click on "Woman's Day." Tools include a sample press release, newsletter copy, and a Web button. More information, including the official rules, is posted on the Woman's Day Web site (
http://www.womansday.com/ala).
A March 2009 Woman's Day article (pdf at
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/publicawareness/campaign@yourlibrary/sponsorship/womansdaymagazine/health%20article.pdf) features four readers who used the library to improve their health and wellness. Featured are a wife who turned to the library for solace during her husband's illness, a new mom who sought answers about postpartum depression at the library, a retiree who learned how to find trusted medical resources at a free library class, and a reader who rediscovered books through the Library of Congress' Talking Books program after she lost her sight.
5. Website of the Week
Federal Citizen Information Center --
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/ -- This website is a service of the Federal Citizen Information Center, a part of the U.S. General Services Administration, which has been a source for answers to questions about consumer problems and government services for 35 years.
6. CALENDAR
March 13, 2009 - Council on Library and Network Development, by videoconference
March 22-24, 2009 - Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association Spring Conference, Madison
April 8-9, 2009 - LSTA Advisory Committee meeting, Madison
April 12-18, 2009 - National Library Week
April 21-24, 2009 - Wisconsin Association of Academic Librarians Annual Conference, Green Lake
May 6-8, 2009 - Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries Spring Conference, Wisconsin Dells
June 8, 2009 - Library Information Technology Advisory Committee, Madison
June 28-July 1, 2009 - National Educational Computing Conference, Washington D.C.
July 9-15, 2009 - American Library Association Annual Conference, Chicago
October 12, 2009 - Library Information Technology Advisory Committee, Madison
October 20-23, 2009 - Wisconsin Library Association Annual Conference, Appleton
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To access previous issues of Channel Weekly, or to subscribe or unsubscribe, go to:
http://dpi.wi.gov/channel/chweekly.html
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Roslyn M. Wise
Editor, Channel Weekly
Department of Public Instruction
Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning
PO Box 7841
Madison, WI 53707-7841
Phone: (608) 266-6439
FAX: (609) 266-8770
For questions about this information, contact Roslyn M. Wise (608) 266-6439
Last updated on 2/13/2009 12:30:52 PM
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