MSLMA
2002 Legislative Initiative S336
And
Amendment 982 to Ch 70 Ed Reform
Updated May 22, 2002

MSLMA is committed to the improvement of School Libraries.
To that end, we will actively promote legislation.

School Library Impact Studies
Send it to your Legislator!
Simmons Study on MCAS and Massachusetts Libraries

New Hope! from an email of Joan Gallagher
May 16, 2002
I just spoke with our lobbyist and he is quite excited; Sen Antonioni told him that 'one of his (the Senator's) priorities "was to getting our wording in CH. 70."  Suffice to say, he will try to get that
wording into the Senate version of the Ways & Means budget wording and, as we had good support in the House of Reps., we just may get "libraries and books" into the foundation formula.  I am reminded of Neil Armstrong's famous quote about small steps....

Please e-mail or call the Senator thanking him for supporting school libraries and making an effort on our behalf, especially those in his district near Fitchburg.

RAntonio@senate.state.ma.us     Rm. 109-E  State House  Boston
671-722-1230

Amendment 982 Announced by Joan Gallagher
May 9, 2002
This year's amendment sponsored by Rep. Larkin of Pittsfield for the House's version of Ch.70 (Ed Reform Bill) is Amendment #982.  It has the same wording as last year's Amendment 808.  What this amendment will do is include the word "library" in the Foundation Formula so we  in the "library" will be considered 'essential' in the education of students and, may later, have the potential of receiving funds earmarked for libraries, although THIS IS NOT A MONEY AMENDMENT.

PLEASE CALL OR E-MAIL YOU REPRESENTATIVE TO ASK FOR HIS OR HER SUPPORT OF THIS AMNEDMENT.  IT TAKES A LITTLE TIME, BUT YOUR LEGISLATORS PAY ATTENTION TO
YOUR CALLS AND E-MAILS.  WITHOUT THOSE CALLS THIS LITTLE STEP WON'T EVEN HAPPEN.

Thanks, Joan Gallagher
Legislative Chair
 

Note from Joan Gallagher..."We are still alive..."
May 1, 2002
As you know, it is difficult right now for anything positive on Beacon Hill.  Even what seems to be the smallest event takes on new meaning.  As you know, last year, Rep. Larkin, the co-chair of the
Education, Arts and Humanities Committee proposed an amendment to the wording  of Ch. 70 (ED Reform Law) to include libraries.   It was lost in the shuffle in the senate, but thanks again to Rep. Larkin, the amendment has been proposed again this year.  If consideration of ch. 70 is opened this year, and it well may be in light of all the possible cuts, our amendment may see the light of day.

If you are in Rep. Larkin's district around Pittsfield or even if you are not, please write him a short note (even by e-mail) to thank him for proposing the amendment again and, most important, for supporting school libraries.

Letter from Joan Gallagher on meeting with Aide to Senator Antonioni
April 9, 2002
Today, ironically, the public library lobby day on Beacon Hill, our lobbyist, Chris Gregory, and I visited Sen. Antonioni's educational administrative assistant to plead that the Senator, the co-Chair (with Rep. Larkin) of the Education, Arts....Committee, endorse  Rep. Larkin's
amendment 808 to Ch. 70 (Ed Reform law).  That amendment, as you know, would include the wording 'library' in  the foundation formula for essential personnel in a school.  We reminded the Senator's assistant that this is not a money item (as is our still pending bill S336), but
merely the insertion of language that would deem us an integral part of the education process (and might later allow us to be 'an entity' to receive monies).

The assistant, though non-committal, did seem aware of our plight and possibilities of school library layoffs and was interested.  He did say the Senator would consider our request, if/when the Senate opens up debate on the Ed. Reform Law, as has been rumored (If that happens, we
will have another opportunity to testify to the Educational...Committee).

Chris will follow up with Senator and, as soon as Chris knows, he will let us know of the date for testimony, if in fact there is a day for such testimony.  Though the wheels turn slowly, according to our lobbyist (and Keith Fiels of the MA Board of Lib. Commissioners, who we
"bumped into" in the halls), perseverance will eventually pay off and we must persevere as we are now officially ( I am sure) on the endangered list.

Letter from Dorothy McQuillan, President of MSLMA to her state legislator
April 9, 2002
3 Columbus Street
Newton Highlands, MA 02461

Representative Kay Khan
Room 22 State House
Boston MA 02133

Dear Representative Khan:

I am writing to urge you to support  Amendment 808 to Chapter 70 which will include the word library in the Foundation Formula.  This is essential because there is no other way to assure that any money actually reaches the school library.  When funds are distributed often the money is siphoned off before any reaches the library regardless of the legislators¹ intent. Therefore, it is necessary to create a line item which would assure money intended for school libraries actually reaches them.

It is ironic that a state that prides itself on education has short-changed the one area of the school that serves all the students.  The information specialists who staff these libraries have the ability to enrich the learning of every student.  Professional library teachers instruct students on how to frame research questions, find and evaluate resources, synthesize information and properly cite sources.  With this kind of instruction it is small wonder that school systems with K-12 library teachers have higher test scores.  In fact, it is a travesty that elementary students are often cheated of information literacy by not having a full time professional in their school library.  When problems arise, the temptation is always to start a new program such as hiring literacy teachers and MCAS tutors, whenevery school already has the potential to reach every student if they
supported, funded, and encouraged a dynamic school library program k-12.

Therefore, when this item comes up, I hope you will give it your greatest consideration.  And if you want to see a really good library program, come to Newton South High School where I am privileged to work with a great team.

Sincerely,
Dorothy McQuillan
President, MSLMA

Rallying the Troops
4/4/02 Letter from Joan Gallagher

I just spoke with our lobbyist, Chris Gregory; the Education, Arts and Humanities Subcommittee still has not set a date for a discussion of Ch. 70 and Rep. Larkin's Amendment 808 on our behalf which would include the word 'library' in the Foundation Formula.

In spite of/or because of that lack of scheduling, we have to contact our legislators by phone, e-mail or letter to make it known that we library media specialists (or are we library-teachers?) are getting laid off in large numbers, that MA is already ranked 49th in the country in school library support and that we are essential in the education of constitutents' children.

If our voice is not heard, we will not be considered.

Those in Rep. Larkin's district around Pittsfield and Sen. Antonioni's district around Fitchburg can really make a statement by calling.  When I called Sen. Antonioni's office to make an appointment to speak on the Ch. 70 issue, the first thing I was asked was if I lived in his district, which would make me more relevant to him, I am sure.

Please do this for yourself or, if your job is secure, for students and your professional peers, fellow MSLMA members.

Senator Antonioni to meet with Joan Gallagher - April 3, 2002
3/25/02 Note from Joan Gallagher

I shall be meeting with an aide to Sen. Antonioni on 4/3 to discuss Amendment 808 (sponsored by Rep. Larkin, co-chair to Sen. Antonioni)  to Ch. 70 (ED reform law) to include the wording 'library' in the Foundation Formula.  As the senator is the chair of the Senate Subcommittee  on Education, Arts...., it is REALLY  important that people in  his district contact his office asking that he favor the inclusion of the amendment, as it will allow us to be an entity that can receive earmarked funding in the future(THIS IS NOT A MONEY AMENDMENT,
MERELY A WORD INCLUSION). Also ask, more generally, (as we all should ask our legislators) what can be done to reduce the impact that budget cuts will have on school libraries, already funded the 49th worst in the country.

Legislative Hearings - Date on Beacon Hill - April 9, 2002
3/22/02 From Joan Gallagher, Co-Chairperson of the Legislation Committee:

Lobbyist Chris Gregory was told today that the date for our testimony has been scheduled for 4/9 in the afternoon; as soon as he gets a reconfirmation on time and date, I'll let you know.  We really need #1-written testimony to submit in support of school libraries in general and in support of our amendment (808) and bill (S336- see our webpage for details) and #2 people in attendance to sit in the hearing room as well as lobby their legislators on sporting our amendment to ch. 70 (808)  and investigating why school libraries are in jeopardy of taking a larger than equal share of he budget cuts for education.

March 19, 2002
From Joan Gallagher:

I spoke with our lobbyist, Chris Gregory; he strongly advises that we all contact our legislators to ask what they can do to insure that school library programs are not overburdened by the upcoming budget cuts and to follow up with a short note and a copy of the article in 3/17's Boston Globe (City and region section) on school libraries by Sandy Coleman.

A special note to all those who live in Leominster, Ashburham, Fitchburg, Gardner, Bolton, Lancaster, Lunenburg, Princeton, Sterling and Westminster:

Please contact Sen. ANTONIONI who is the chair of the Education, Arts and Humanities Committee where our bill S336 still is "in-study" to ask him what he can do to help us to keep school library programs from dying in MA.

You might also ask him, about the amendment that would include adding the word 'libraries' in the Ch. 70 legislation; that amendment (808) was proposed by Rep. Larkin of Pittsfield and environs, House Chair of the Education, Arts and Humanities Committee.  The inserting of the word 'library' would allow us recognition as an entity that could, at some later date, receive earmarked funding.

If the Senator and other legislators hear from us, they may look into things; without our pro-activity, we won't be noticed.

February 7, 2002

Members of the Legislative Committee met with lobbyist Chris Gregory on 1/26/02.  Chris brought us up-to-date.

The amendment which amended Ch. 70 legislation with the insertion of the wording 'library' in the foundation formula of the Education Reform Bill was eliminated because the legislators decided not to change any wording in the law. It was originally filed on our behalf by Rep. Larkin, head of the Education Committee. That insertion would have made us an entity to receive state funds.

• In addition, our  bill S336 is still 'alive' as the legislative session lasts two years.  The bill is now 'resting' in committee.  With the money request in that bill and the current state of affairs in MA, we are not optimistic at the moment.

• Members brainstormed our next approach in the legislative effort (if at first, as they say....).

• It was decided that Chris will revisit the liaison to the Education Committee for information on any possible movement on our amendment later in the year.  In addition, Chris will speak to legislators concerning S336 and shall also seek a sponsor for a new bill that we may file in the next legislative session.  That bill would mandate our Standards (that are currently being revised).

• Each member of the Legislation Committee shall contact one of the "want-to-be governors" campaign headquarters to find a contact and act as liaison from MSLMA to them to educate each candidtate on our importance within the educational process.

• It was also agreed that at our next conference, the legislative committee would present a workshop on best methods to contact  and work with legislators to keep our profession in their minds and, hopefully, in the legislative process.

 
• As always, new Legislative Committee members are always welcome. Contact me or Doris Smith, co-chair.

Joan Gallagher, Co-Chair, Legislative Committee

Steve Grossman for Governor
Attn:  Kristen Schneeman
30 High St.
Medford, MA  02155

Dear Ms. Schneeman:

In Worcester, one library media specialist works in six schools and “teaches” up to five thousand students (that’s right) in a year.  In Quincy, the budget for twenty-two school libraries was doubled over the past two years to $100,000 for materials, subscription and software for all twenty-two facilities. Please bear in mind that an encyclopedia set can cost up to six hundred dollars and one non-fiction book can cost thirty dollars or more and that a subscription to an online database, in this situation, is prohibitive.

 In Hanover, the school committee, right now, is considering cutting all library media specialists in the system next year, but for the high school librarian (who is mandated for certification by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges) and this is in light of state and national research prove that schools with well supported school library programs have higher achievement than those without.

To follow up on our conversation yesterday concerning the role of the school library media specialist (more recently dubbed “teacher-librarian” by the new licensure regulations of the MA D.O.E.), I am enclosing a packet of information.  The Massachusetts School Library Media Association (MSLMA) FACT SHEET gives an overview of the situation; the newspaper and magazine articles give a “non-librarian produced” perspective and the summary of the Simmons Survey documents the situation in this state.

Also enclosed, please find some information about our organization as well as the Standards developed at the state level based on those developed by the American Association of School Librarians.

I shall contact you in the next few days to answer any questions you have and to schedule a time for Mr. Grossman to visit with our executive board.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Joan C. Gallagher, Legislative Chair
MSLMA

 

MSLMA Committee:  Joan Gallagher, Doris Smith (Co-Chairs) Jim Baughman, Kathy Kenny, Cheryl Chase

MSLMA Legislative Liason: Christopher Gregory, Gregory & Associates 617-367-6449  Fax: 617-367-6299 chris.gregory@neec.org

 

Designed and Maintained by MSLMA  Educational Technology Committee