UELMA Board Votes to Support Question #1- Our Schools Now Initiative

The UELMA Board voted on October 4 to join efforts with

the Utah Library Association (ULA), the Utah Education Association (UEA), and the Utah PTA in urging members to support  the Our Schools Now initiative and to vote “For” on Question #1, which will be on the ballot in November’s election.

Should Question #1 pass, the Legislature has agreed to enact the Teacher and Student Success Act which levies a 10 cent tax on motor fuels that would raise over $100 million dollars for education. School librarians are specifically named in the proposal, and school library programs would directly benefit from this new funding. This is a unique, important, and high-impact way to address deficiencies in education funding in Utah, and improve student achievement through better school library programs across the state.

The Board’s vote to support Question #1 reflects our organization’s commitment to the value of school libraries and the fact that School Librarians play a key role in the academic success of students and which has been shown in many studies.

The UELMA Board believes that their vote of support will send a clear message to legislators, partners, and voters that full funding for education, school libraries, and school media specialists is the best way to support the success of our children and that our students deserve a quality education which includes a quality library program in their school. Click here to see how your school can be directly affected.

We are encouraging our members and school librarians across the state to take the Pledge to Vote for Question #1 at http://www.saveschoollibrarians.org/votefor1.

more information on Question #1:

“Shared Foundations” 2019 Conference Registration opens December 1

Libraries Rock!

Every summer, libraries all across Utah participate in the Summer Reading Program. Libraries Rock! is the 2018 theme for all ages.  

             

In addition, Utah State Library and my529 (formerly Utah Educational Savings Plan) have partnered to provide an opportunity for parents/guardians of children, who participate in their local library’s summer reading program, for a $1,000 my529 scholarship.

“Book Your Summer” runs from May 15 – August 15. Go to bookyoursummer.com for more information.

Along with the summer reading program, public librarians support the literacy efforts of school librarians by encouraging lifelong reading by providing access to books, eBooks, audiobooks, internet, computers and literacy based programming.  

Student participation in the summer reading program can prevent summer reading loss and offers advantages for struggling and/or reluctant readers.

  • Numerous studies have shown that reading over the summer prevents “summer reading loss.”
  • Summer reading loss is cumulative. Non-readers don’t “catch up” in fall because readers are moving ahead with their skills.
  • Reading for pleasure, whether it be books, graphic novels or magazines, builds children’s confidence as learners and enhances their formal education.

Contact your local public library for more information about its summer reading program and “Book Your Summer.”  By working together, school and public libraries can help close the summer reading loss gap.

Utah State Library is a member of the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP).

For more information contact:

Sharon Deeds, Youth Services Coordinator

Utah State Library

801-715-6742

sdeeds@utah.gov   

 

UELMA Live!

Thanks to everyone who made the UELMA Conference a hit! We had record attendance and the feedback has very positive! Attendees can access all the session information in the members section here with the password provided in a previous email. Need help? Use the Contact form.

Be sure to mark your calendars now for next year so you don’t miss the fun! March 8 2019!