RASL meeting this week!

Join us on Thursday, February 21st at 5pm in the SCILS lounge. We'll be doing a craft and sharing lesson plans and program ideas for school and public libraries.

If you have a tried and true lesson or activity that you would be willing to share, please e-mail Alicia at ablowers at eden.rutgers.edu. Attach your plan and any associated documents to the e-mail. Be sure to indicate the age level (we need everything from babies to teens!). We'll compile all submissions and distribute the packet at our meeting.

Hope to see you there!

Ever want to live in Utah?

Well here is your chance. Apparently the state is facing a major shortage for school librarians. They are looking to increase ranks in droves over the next three years. Check this article out if you are interested!

Discount Subscription for Students

I picked up a copy of School Library Media Activities Monthly at ALA Midwinter. It is published by Libraries Unlimited. The February issue has some interesting articles on information literacy and collaboration, and lesson plans that key into different subject areas. Could be a useful resource for your field experience and when starting out as a SLMS.

Check out some sample articles on their website. The regular subscription rate is $55 per year, but they offer a discount student subscription at $30 here.

At last... the RASL meeting update!

I enjoyed the first RASL meeting of the semester (my first ever!). I’m in the online program, so it was great to get to campus and meet everyone. Here’s a quick recap of the agenda and what we covered.

Origins of RASL - Check out the RASL website for a brief history of our organization.

NJ Department of Education requirements for School Library Certifications - The most up-to-date information can be found here on the SCILS website.

Plan of Study for SMLS and timing of classes - Did you know that the School Library Medial Specialist track allows only one elective? Did you know that some required courses are offered only in the fall semester or only in the spring semester? Several of our members have run into trouble with the timing of their classes, and strongly recommend faculty advising sessions as you map out your plan of study. We are working to include the timing of classes on the RASL website. In the meantime, the SCILS website lists required courses here.

SLMS jobs - Members talked about various websites that post job openings for school library media specialists. We have a list of job links on the RASL website that we are looking to update. If you know of a job website, please post it as a comment here, or email Renee.

NJASL and other library organizations - "Network, network, network!" was the advice from several of our members. Get involved in RASL and NJASL, NJLA and ALA. Student volunteers can often attend conferences for free or at reduced rates. Links to these and other professional organizations are on the RASL website. Be sure to look for discount student memberships when you join!

Forum: What do you want from RASL? - Everyone had lots of great ideas. Check out Kristie's post below, and please feel free to send your suggestions to us as comments on this blog, or via email.

Next meeting: Thursday, February 21, 5 pm SCILS lounge. Hope to see you then!

Listservs

Here is a link of a bunch of children's literature related listservs you can join, if you fancy.

Children's Museum News

One of the topics brought up at the forum was the idea of children's librarianship merging with museums. I found an article about the Long Island Children's Museum and their upcoming programs for 2008. At least one of the programs is funded by a grant given to the museum by the Institute of Museum & Library Services. I also recommend going through the LICM's homepage (link above), aside from looking at the news article.

Just for Fun: Dance your fines away!

Okay, I know I still owe you guys a post about the last RASL meeting. It's coming...right after my Learning Theory, Media & Curriculum paper, and my Reference Sources/Services and Materials for Children assignments. (Sorry!)

In the meantime, here's a fun item from LIS News: Wadleigh Memorial Library in Milford, NH let patrons donate food or dance their library fines away on DDR.