Wilcox 1
Part Two: The AASL Advocacy Action Plan Template
Identifying the Agenda
“Their” Agenda:
Who is your target audience?
 Students
 Parents
 Teachers
What is important to target audience?
 Locating resources to support inquiry
needs and recreational reading
What is foremost in their minds?
 Parents often are searching for resources
since traditional textbooks are being
replaced by digital materials. Parents
want to have materials to utilize that
support the Common Core standards.
 Parents do not know about the library
resources because they have never had
the opportunity to learn about the library  Provide after school professional
services.
How can you link up to their agenda?
 Launch an advertising campaign to
educate parents and students alike
regarding the resources offered in the
Williamsport Elementary School
Library
 Build a presence on grade level
Facebook pages and share how the
library resources connect to the
curriculum standards
What can the LMS do to help move their
agenda forward?
 Create YouTube videos to help all
stakeholders navigate through the
WCPS Library Resources Portal
 Advertise the Library Portal page and
how library resources connect to the
curriculum in the monthly school
newsletter, Willie’s Chatter
LMC Agenda:
What is important to the LMC goals?
 Promote the use of digital ebooks to
expand the accessibility of materials that
support the Washington County
Essential Curriculum document.
 Increase student and teacher use of the
digital RAIL card and databases offered
by the Williamsport Elementary School
Library during the 2018-2019 school
year.
How can you fulfill LMC goals by linking
to their agenda?
 Distribute resources provided
systemically that outline the digital
resources provided by the library and the
directions for access
development opportunities for staff
What services can you provide?
 Digital e-book instruction explaining
how to access materials
 YouTube videos modeling access and
use of e-books and databases
 Utilizing Facebook and Twitter to
highlight the resources used and how the
resources supplement units of
instruction within the Media Center and
the general education classroom
What resources do you have?
1) E-books available in the OPAC
2) Capstone Digital Library and app
3) Materials produced by the WCPS
Library Media Programs department
 The Williamsport Elementary School
LibGuide
 Access to the Washington County Free
Library via the RAIL card (partnership
between WCPS and WCFL)
 5 Library iPads
 6 Desktop computers
 Wilcox 2

How can you benefit them and their needs?
 Students and parents will access more
resources to meet their informational
and recreational reading needs
 Multiple laptop computers
 Wifi access
What benefits can you provide?
 Access to a variety digital materials
including databases
 Suggestions for how the resources align
with curriculum standards

Assessing Your Message and Reporting Guide

Identifying the Agenda

Target Audience LMC Agenda:

Since the Washington County Library Resources
portal and the Washington County Library RAIL
card have resources for a variety of levels, all
students, teachers, and parents will be targeted
under the advocacy plan. During back to school
night, families will be encouraged to visit the
Media Center. IPads, laptop and desktops will
available for parents and students to explore the
resources available. In addition, the media
specialist will present during the Back-to-School
in-service to provide updated information
regarding database subscription and new release
titles that have been added to the digital
collection.
Since the Williamsport Elementary Library
operates using a fixed schedule, the
librarian will be able to integrate the
resources into Media lessons. In addition to
the lesson integration, the media specialist
will also be able to sponsor monthly
promotional activities designed to
encourage use of the library resources
portal and the digital RAIL card. During
the Fall and Spring STEM nights, the
Media Center will be open and available
for students and parents to browse digital
and print resources. The media specialist
will also utilize a beginning of the year,
mid year, and end of the year survey for all
stakeholders to determine how the
resources are utilized and if any resources
need to be added to support instruction.

Part Three: Response to Questions about the Advocacy Plan

 What are the benefits to the target audience and stakeholders?

 Wilcox 3

The benefits of the plan include improving the access of library resources to patrons. All

stakeholders will be informed regarding the wide range of options available on the portal page.

The portal page is a resource that can be utilized 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Teachers and

support staff will save time with planning for instruction due to the available materials. Students

will benefit from the plan because they will have had the instruction and practice to become

experts at navigating and accessing the library resources. Parents will appreciate the access and

range of materials that help support the curriculum. In addition, parents will also want to be able

to utilize the library to help students during the summer to avoid the typical summer reading loss.

In particular, the Magnet School program students and parents will be able to use the Library

Portal as students complete their required summer Magnet project. The advocacy plan correlates

with the AASL standard 4.4 “to identify the stakeholders within and outside the school

community who impact the school library program and to develop a plan to advocate for school

library and information programs, resources, and services” (10). In addition, the plan also

correlates to the Common Core Anchor Standard CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.10.

 What service is provided to the target audience and stakeholders?

The target audience and stakeholders will be able to use the Williamsport library materials

including World Book Kids and Student, Pebble Go, Pebble Go Next, digital eBooks, My

Capstone Library, Culture Grams, Opposing Viewpoints in Context, Safari Montage, SIRS 20th

Century American Sources, Knowledge Quest and SIRS ProQuest Discoverer. The access to the

RAIL card includes the use of several databases including Scholastic BookFlix, Scholastic

TrueFlix, Tumblebooks, Explora Primary, the Science Reference Center and digital ebooks

available through Overdrive.

 Wilcox 4

 Evaluation – Did the target audience get the message? How do you know the plan has

been successful? How will your measure success?

What is your key message?

The key message of the advocacy plan is that the Williamsport Elementary School library

has services that extend beyond the physical walls of the library. The school library has a wide

range of materials for a variety of grade levels and interests that are accessible anytime and

anywhere. By using the available library resources, staff and students will save time and money

locating materials to supplement learning standards.

In order to determine if the target audience received the message, the Williamsport

Elementary librarian will track the utilization statistics found in the Destiny management system.

Capstone e-books are not factored and will have to be combined to the total found in Destiny.

The totals of usage statistics for both databases will be tracked each month and the data will be

added to a line graph. At the end of the year, the media specialist will be able to look for trends

and cross reference advocacy efforts to infer which strategies were effective and ineffective.

Direct feedback from stakeholders is another significant component of the advocacy plan.

Students and staff will be able to access a feedback box which will be housed in the main

hallway next to the library doors. The feedback box will help the librarian determine if the

advocacy plan is working and if adjustments or changes need to be made. The overall success of

the program will be determined through the circulation statistics, comments placed in the

feedback box, increase in teacher patrons visiting the library, and brief surveys conducted two or

three times a year. In order to encourage participation in the survey, students and staff will be

entered to win $10 in free books from the Fall and Spring Book Fairs.

 Are benefits included in the message?

 Wilcox 5

The benefits included in the overall message of the advocacy program include the

emphasis and extension of the Common Core curriculum and the Washington County Public

Schools Essential Curriculum document. In addition, the plan encourages the utilization of

digital resources which help students and teachers find materials that promote a literacy rich

environment.

 How do the desired outcomes show a strengthening of the advocates and supporters?

The collection of circulation data supports the purchasing of various databases and digital e-

books. If students and teachers are relying upon the resources to support learning and instruction,

the resources will become valuable. If there was ever a scenario for a reduction in funding, the

data collected for the advocacy plan would be helpful to support the spending. Therefore, the

results of the advocacy plan should be collected and prepared into a year end summary report to

document the essential role that the library has to support student instruction.

Part Four: Three Advocacy Strategies

Strategy #1 Homework Helper Section in Willie’s Chatter

Description of With the support of administration, the library media specialist will create and write an
Strategy article in the Homework Helper Section section of the school newsletter, Willie’s Chatter.
Every month, the Homework Helper will feature a different online library resource. The
article will provide a brief description of the resource, specific directions for using the
 Wilcox 6

resource, and tips for how the resource could be used for specific units of study. At the end
of the article, there would be a QR code connecting parents and students directly to the
featured resource. The library media specialist will also include links to uploaded YouTube
videos which demonstrate how to access and utilize the resources. Since the password
information for database sites should not be shared on YouTube, students and parents will
be prompted in the article and in the videos to see the media specialist for a list of
passwords.
Annotation “Resources for School Librarians & Parent Partnerships.” Resources for

School Librarians & Parent Partnerships | Texas Library Association,

www.txla.org/tasl/parent-resources. Accessed 7 Apr. 2018.

Strategy #2 Media Moment

Description of The library media specialist will develop a brief presentation for various stakeholders to be
Strategy shared during the fixed media time, school faculty meetings, PTA Meetings, and school
special events such as STEM night. With support of administration, the media specialist
will share a tip and offer ideas as to how one or more of the library resources supplement
and enhance the curriculum. This advocacy strategy is referred to as the Media Moment
because the tip or tool should be shared in less than 3 minutes to maintain the attention of
the audience. The tip or tool would be recorded by an audience member and posted to the
library YouTube channel for future reference. In order to maintain momentum for the
Media Moment, the media specialist will vary the presentation methods using Google
Slides, the WCPS LibGuide, the Library Portal, Adobe Spark Video, Flipgrid and other
presentation tools.
Annotation “3.4.e Fun and Effective Strategies for Frontline Advocacy.” Advocacy,

Legislation & Issues, 10 Jan. 2012,

www.ala.org/advocacy/advleg/advocacyuniversity/frontline_advocacy/front

line_school/everyday/strategies. Accessed 8 Apr. 2018.

Strategy #3 A Balanced Book Diet

Description Students will complete the balanced diet of books project during the fixed Media time. Across
of Strategy the grade levels, students will contribute to a school-wide Padlet where they will share their
favorite titles for various genres. The project requires students to use the library catalog,
access digital resources, and browse databases for titles. Students will be able to write
presentations to persuade others to read the featured books. When complete, students will be
able to browse the Padlet to find various book titles including digital resources. Parents and
teachers will be encouraged to browse the Padlet to view student work and various titles of
materials that spark student interest. Finished projects will be featured on the school library
social media pages if the students are not on the media denied list. The entire project is
outlined in the link --
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1rF9Bnp0AKBhcsM1iIPKEcQt0ZytCB-
KZ1qFSEwNvvlE/edit?usp=sharing
 Wilcox 7

Annotation This is my own original work and idea. I am including the site which inspired the strategy and
a citation for the AASL PowerPoint image citation.

“National Library Week Activities.” National Library Week Activities | Education

World, www.educationworld.com/a_special/national_library_week.shtml.

Accessed 8 Apr. 2018.

“School Library Month.” American Association of School Librarians (AASL), 19 Mar.

2018, www.ala.org/aasl/advocacy/slm.

Part Five: The Campaign Artifact

The campaign artifact will be utilized for students and parents in the school newsletter.

The artifact will be modified for teachers by excluding the first paragraph. Upon administrative

approval, the article will be included in the Notes and Reminders that are distributed to staff each

week.
 Wilcox 8

“Homework Help” Article for Willie’s Chatter

Spotlight: The Pebble Go Database

Does your child love to learn about new places? Is your

child interested in learning about animals but cannot find books
on his or her reading level? Did you know that the school
Image credit:
library has a great resource designed just for students in www.capstonepub.com/library/digital/pebble-go/.
PreKindergarten to Grade 2? If you have not checked out the Accessed 7 Apr. 2018.
Pebble Go Database, you and your child are missing a great
shared reading experience!

The Pebble Go Database is easily available on the Williamsport

Elementary School page. In Google, simply type WCPS Library
Resources Portal. Find Williamsport Elementary School in the left hand
corner of the page. Select Williamsport Elementary School. The next
screen will show the name of our school and a blue paw print. Scroll
underneath the paw print until you see the Pebble Go icon. Select the
Pebble Go icon and a pop-up screen will appear. Enter the login
information and hit return. (If you do not have the login information,
please see your classroom teacher or Mrs. Wilcox!) As soon as you see
three icons for Animal, Science, and Social Studies, you are ready to let
the learning begin.
**Be sure to check out the Williamsport Elementary on YouTube at
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6fseTG5ZuediE8UHiokjuFcQo060VtGB

Part Six: The Mission and Vision Statements for My School Library
Mission:

The Williamsport Elementary School Library is a literacy rich environment which inspires
students to be passionate about learning as well as productive citizens in a diverse society.

Vision:

All stakeholders visiting the Williamsport Elementary School Library will have equal access to a
diverse collection of print and digital materials that help enhance and extend the Washington
County Essential Curriculum. Located at the center of the school, the library strives to be the
focal point for student instruction and professional development opportunities. The school library
program continues to help students and staff locate, gather, use, and synthesize information
curated from a wide range of resources to meet their inquiry needs. Every visit to the library
encourages staff and students alike to experience an environment that values critical thinking,
communication, collaboration, and creative thought.
 Wilcox 9

Works Cited

“3.4.e Fun and Effective Strategies for Frontline Advocacy.” Advocacy, Legislation & Issues, 10

Jan. 2012,

www.ala.org/advocacy/advleg/advocacyuniversity/frontline_advocacy/frontline_school/e

veryday/strategies. Accessed 8 Apr. 2018.

 Wilcox 10

“Demographics.” Demographics : Washington County - Clear Spring Elementary : 2017

Maryland Report Card, reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Demographics.aspx. Accessed 6

Apr. 2018.

“Demographics.” Demographics : Washington County - Williamsport Elementary : 2017

Maryland Report Card, reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Demographics.aspx. Accessed 6

Apr. 2018.

Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs. American Association

of School Librarians, 2009.

“English Language Arts Standards » Anchor Standards » College and Career Readiness Anchor

Standards for Reading.” English Language Arts Standards » Anchor Standards » College

and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Reading | Common Core State Standards

Initiative, www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/CCRA/R/. Accessed 8 Apr. 2018.

Farmer, Lesley S.J. Managing the Successful School Library: Strategic Planning and Reflective

Practice. Neal-Schuman, 2017.

"Library Advocate's Handbook", American Library Association, April 29, 2017.

http://www.ala.org/advocacy/advocacy-university/library-advocates-handbook. Accessed

7 Apr. 2018.

“National Library Week Activities.” National Library Week Activities | Education

World, www.educationworld.com/a_special/national_library_week.shtml.

Accessed 8 Apr. 2018.

“Navigation.” CAEP - Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation,

www.ncate.org/accreditation/caep-accreditation/spa-standards-and-report-forms/ala-aasl.

“Resources for School Librarians & Parent Partnerships.” Resources for School Librarians &
 Wilcox 11

Parent Partnerships | Texas Library Association, www.txla.org/tasl/parent-resources.

Accessed 7 Apr. 2018.

“School Library Month.” American Association of School Librarians (AASL), 19 Mar. 2018,

www.ala.org/aasl/advocacy/slm.

Stevens, Kerry Ann. Personal Interview. 27 Mar. 2018.

“WCPS Library Media Policies and Procedures Guide: Purchasing.” LibGuides,

libguides.wcps.k12.md.us/LMGuide/Purchasing. Accessed 27 Mar. 2018.

Weisburg, Hilda K., and Susan D. Ballard. Leading for School Librarians: There Is No Other

Option. Neal-Schuman, 2017.

Welcome to Washington County Public Schools,

wcpsmd.follettdestiny.com/common/welcome.jsp. Accessed 7 Apr. 2018.