Nancy Everhart, president of ALA’s American Association of School Librarians, is a third of the way through her “Vision Tour” of outstanding school libraries throughout the United States. Everhart says the tour is garnering attention that has already produced major changes for the good.
“In one instance, a school librarian who had her job reduced was reinstated to full-time. In another district, school board members left the Vision Tour celebration noting that cuts they had been contemplating were not going to happen—and they’ve stuck to it,” says Everhart. “It’s all part of the message of the tour—to let everyone know what outstanding school libraries are all about.”
The Vision Tour is aligned with “Learning 4 Life,” an AASL initiative with two objectives: 1) to identify exemplary models and transferable visual products for implementation at the local, district, state, and national levels; and 2) to develop a national roster of celebrities, well-known educators and organizations, and other public figures as advocates for school library media specialists and programs. School libraries on the tour were selected by their state’s AASL affiliate to represent them.
At each Vision Tour stop, Everhart says, the school librarians plan some sort of event to celebrate their selection. These have ranged from receptions with students, teachers, and administrators in the library to school-wide pep rallies in the gym. Other attendees include school board members, parents, area school and public librarians, state library personnel, and government officials. Rep. Fred Upton (R–Mich.) had a commendation read into the Congressional Record about Portage Northern High School’s honor, and Mayor Carleton Carey of Dover, Delaware, bestowed a commendation on the town’s Central Middle School. Robin Roberts, host of ABC-TV’s Good Morning America, sent video congratulations to Byrd Middle School in Richmond, Virginia, that was screened during a school-wide assembly.
Often these occasions include student performances of the Vision Tour theme song, appropriately titled “Check it Out.” Sarah Horick, a music school graduate of Florida State University in Tallahassee, where Everhart is on the library-school faculty, composed the song. Students have created their own musical tributes as well. In Springfield Township High School in Erdenheim, Pennsylvania, students literally danced on top of the bookshelves to “Read it!” a parody of Michael Jackson’s “Beat it." Press are also invited to the celebrations and have run stories in print, on television, and in digital media, drawing attention to what’s good about school libraries and raising awareness of the negative impact of reductions in school libraries that are occurring around the country as states and municipalities deal with the nation’s financial crisis.
“In each instance, everyone leaves these celebrations uplifted,” says Everhart. “I know I certainly do! I’m running on adrenaline as I drive from state to state.” The AASL president is traveling on her own dime, relying on no direct financial support from AASL other than the provision of plaques for each school library included in the Vision Tour. Fundraising is taking place through the Friends of AASL and donations to that fund this year will support the Vision Tour. Benefactors have included individuals, library vendors, and ALA President Roberta Stevens. Those who wish to contribute or learn more can visit the tour website.
