Blogging from the SLJ Summit on Evidence-Based Practice. One of the SLJ leaders stated that EBP wasn’t as sexy as technology, yet we still have a HUGE crowd here in Phoenix, AZ. Perhaps using evidence to support our worth is the draw.
Or maybe it helps that we are staying at the Biltmore Resort & Spa. I haven’t decided if I need the Dream Catcher Aromatherapy Massage or the Rose Quartz Facial. So many decisions… Oh, wait, I forgot I am a public school teacher-librarian on a tiny salary! I’ll just watch the people.
Last night I dined with friends and publishers at Fusions. One of the hosts asked where we were from and how we came to be staying at the Biltmore. When I explained we were with a school library conference, she said, "And you’re staying at the Biltmore, how extravagant!" I immediately replied that we DESERVED it.
Actually our bargained room cost is lower than many conference hotels, so don’t think for a minute we are splurging. Yes, we are being pampered as I sit in my fluffy robe in my enormous quiet room with chaise lounges and balcony. I may go visit the outdoor pools and water slide if it stops raining in the desert. Yes, we brought the rain and all the locals are thrilled.
More to the point, we are working hard. So far we have
been greeted by Congressman Raul M. Grijalva one of the original sponsors of the SKILLs Act HR 2864 (remind your representatives to support this),
cheered when Linda Perlstein shared stories from her recent book Tested: One American School Struggles to Make the Grade,
marveled at the similarities between Evidence-Based Learning in the medical field and our library profession during the panel presentation,
learned about one of the eight case studies being showcased at the summit (I marveled at the Ohio study with their modules to extend their research)
been greeted by Sara Kelly Johns, AASL President,
welcomed the third edition of School Libraries Work by Scholastic Publishing and Greg Worell.
Today we will hear Peter Pearson speak on library advocacy and fundraising with the presentation "Just because they love you doesn’t mean they’ll fund you." Ouch! but so very true.
We’ll participate in two more sessions to learn about more case studies and then we’ll spend the entire afternoon working with Dr. Ross Todd to reflect, discuss, question & synthesize.
Perhaps when we are finished, I’ll go find the book Ron Shank recommended we carry in airports. It’s called More Sex is Safer Sex. I got really excited until I saw the subtitle: the Unconventional Wisdom of Economics and realized this was a title similar to Freakonomics. I did enjoyFreakonomics, but I wonder if I’ll be reading More Sex is Safer Sex during SSR in my elementary school.
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