Please add your ideas for talking points for the platform items below. Thanks, Doug.

2008 MEMO platform planks and talking points

1. MLA/MEMO supports legislation requiring all students have the regular services of a certified school library media specialist throughout the school day who can build age and developmentally appropriate collections, teach information and technology literacy, and promote voluntary free reading throughout the school.

With the addition of state Information Literacy standards, the services of a professional library media specialist are more important than ever to both students and teachers. Each school needs an on-site licensed librarian to implement the new standards. If LMSs are to effectively team/collaborate with fellow teachers, they must be able to leave the LMC to visit classrooms and team teach. Therefore, library education assistants should at least be in every secondary library in order to support the licensed LMS, students and staff.

In addition, over 14 state-wide studies show that a strong library media program has a significant positive impact on student reading test scores. Student without a school library media specialist are at learning disadvantage.

Due to funding difficulties, many schools have been reducing or replacing professional library media specialists with non-certified library clerks. We believe all children deserve the services offered by a professional library media specialist.

2. MLA/MEMO supports an increase in the basic education formula for all schools in Minnesota.

3. MEMO/MLA supports the recommendations of the Task Force on K-12 Technology Standards.

For each of these planks, talking points need to be developed.

Doug

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