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OSLIS Turns 25, Standards Updates, and More!
Issue 10, March 2025
From the President's Desk...
From the President's Desk...
By: Jen McKenzie, OASL 2024-25 President
Happy March,
I hope this newsletter finds you well. We are living through trying times. Remember to seek out and find your “Islands of Sanity” and to take care of yourselves; sustained library advocacy efforts require intentional and mindful self-preservation. I say this as I’ve personally and professionally struggled as of late with the Siuslaw School Board’s decision to engage in censorship to ban the book Flamer by Mike Curato. Those of you who have experienced censorship in your libraries first hand can relate. I want to formally acknowledge the tireless effort and support offered by our Intellectual Freedom Committee. Please remember to always report instances of censorship in your communities by using this link. I’m sharing links to both my Senate Bill 1098 written testimony as well as my Siuslaw School Board anti-censorship and book banning public comment as a means to offer support to others who may need it.
Also - HUGE shout out to OLA President Ayn Frazee, OASL representative Kate Weber, and OLA Intellectual Freedom Committee member Miranda Doyle who delivered powerful testimony in support of SB 1098. If you missed the hearing, you can watch it here: OLIS Media Player (start at the 23:09 mark).
In this Issue:
Oregon High School featured on NPR
2025 State of School Libraries Report
About the Newsletter:
Scroll, read, watch, and enjoy! Article submissions, suggestions, or corrections can be sent to newsletter@oasl.olaweb.org.
OSLIS Turns 25!
OSLIS Turns 25!
By: Molly Sloan, OSLIS Committee Chair
Tara Perkins, OSLIS Committee Member
Carrie Light, OSLIS Committee Member
For most Oregon School library personnel, the Oregon School Library Information System (better known as OSLIS) feels like the Cascade mountains or the Columbia River–a stalwart standby of research teaching and learning for the students and educators of Oregon. You might be surprised to learn that OSLIS is celebrating just 25 years of information literacy service. Happy birthday, OSLIS! This milestone warrants a look back at the formation of OSLIS and the pioneers who envisioned a public resource to support Oregon’s learners–not just for accessing quality information but also for teaching Oregon’s kids how to use that information responsibly.
Updated OASL Standards Website
Updated OASL Standards Website
Submitted by: Leigh Morlock, OASL Standards Chair
Check out the video for a sneak peak at the newly updated and searchable OASL Library Standards site featuring search options for learning goals and standards!
To start using these new tools, visit https://www.oaslstandards.org/.
Lori Lieberman and Lincoln High School featured on NPR
Lori Lieberman and Lincoln High School featured on NPR
Listen (or read here) to learn about Lincoln High's Romance Book Club!
OASL Releases 2025 State of School Libraries Report
OASL Releases 2025 State of School Libraries Report
As part of ongoing advocacy efforts, OASL released the 2025 State of School Libraries Report. Shared with legislators and education leaders, the report highlights the impact of strong school libraries and the crisis many schools face without certified librarians and funding. The full report can be viewed and shared here.
Secretary's Report
Submitted by: Jenny Takeda
Secretary's Report
Submitted by: Jenny Takeda
January 2025
Notes from 1/9/25 OASL Full Board Meeting are posted on the OASL website by going to About OASL > Business section > OASL Board Minutes.
Summary of meeting/topics discussed:
Kristina Cevallos presented a Treasurer’s report. OASL’s big financial picture is strong and the organization’s total net worth is the highest it has been in the last 6 years.
The Fall 2025 Conference Committee secured K.C. Boyd as the keynote speaker.
The following OASL Board positions will be open for elections this spring:
President
Higher Ed Rep
Treasurer
Region Representatives (Regions 1, 3, 5, 7)
A number of school library advocacy updates were shared, including that the OLA Legislative Committee is working with OASL to help draft a proposed ODE Library Media Job Description.
The OASL President’s book club launches this month with The 21st Century School Library: A Model For Innovative Teaching and Learning by Ryan Bani Tahmaseb. Here is the Padlet link to respond to weekly prompts.
The next Board meeting will be held via Zoom on Thursday, May 1st from 4:00-6:00 PM.
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