How to respond when limits to the services and materials of the school library media center are proposed

1. Understand what schedule change is proposed and why, and how this change will affect the school library media center
1. You are asked to teach a regularly scheduled class in the library
2. You are pulled out of the library to teach a regularly scheduled class
3. Study hall students, physical education medically excused students, etc. are scheduled into the library
4. Meetings are scheduled during school hours or immediately after school in the library
5. State tests, AP Exams, midterms and finals are held in the library
2. Talk with supervisor and/or building principal to see what his/her understanding of situation is
3. Be ready to provide data about the frequency of closures and/or limitations of service and the resulting impact
4. Notify local education association representative and/or president and request support
5. Notify colleagues, students, parents, volunteers as appropriate of action proposed.
6. Carefully select articulate, informed, unemotional, highly-regarded spokespersons as needed
1. PTA or PTO officer
2. Family liaison (esp. Abbott districts)
3. Student volunteer or student council officer
4. District or building administrator or supervisor
7. Provide necessary resources to your advocates
1. Letters or brief presentations (See ScheduleTemplates)
2. Suggested Responses to Frequently Asked Questions (See ScheduleQuestions)
3. Handouts (brochures, fliers, etc.)
8. Inform community (stakeholders listed above) of probable impact of proposed action, and provide background information about how and how much the school library is typically used