Sorry--I've been transitioning

I have a new job! Which is why I've been useless at posting to this blog. I'm now an elementary school librarian, which means I have a captive audience of over 500 kids a week! It also means I have to be more of a censor and rule-enforcer and teacher. Also I no longer work with teens. But I have snow days! Like today! So here I am again, with a whole new set of challenges and hopefully a more focused range of topics to explore on this blog.

Jamie Greene Answers the Call

Yesterday, Jamie Greene, the president of RIEMA, spoke before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee in Washington, D.C. about the importance of school libraries. I get shivers just thinking about it! I think most of us are comfortable speaking for ourselves--telling people what we do and why our libraries deserve support--but Jamie was willing to speak for all of us. It's a big responsibility, and she put so much work into preparing her message--as anyone who received her email dispatches knows.

So without further ado, here's what she said (skip to the 35:50 mark if you want to just hear her).

My favorite things:

• When she say she's received her layoff notice. That brings the gravity.
• When she says, "I asked my students to be the voice of students across the country." That's what makes Jamie such a great leader--she always includes people, seeks input, gathers people, data. She's a gatherer.
• The battery image. That student is a genius! It's so sci-fi.
• The way she finishes with specific steps. No wishy-washy suggestions. She has a plan.
  

Don't you feel like there should be clapping after she's done? If you feel like clapping, actually, contact Senator Reed and thank him for suggesting Jamie for the committee. And if you want more background for the thank you note, visit the ALA dispatch about Jamie's testimony.