Connecticut Association of School Librarians

Strategic Plan  

Introduction:

The publication in 2006 by the State Department of Education of the Information Literacy and Technology Literacy Framework prompted CASL to formulate a strategic plan.  The CASL Board of Directors looked at past strategic plans of CASL and present strategic plans of state associations and AASL.  The achievement of each goal will move CASL toward fulfillment of its mission.  Objectives provide actions on how CASL will accomplish its goals.

Mission:

CASL is committed to excellence in education by ensuring that students are active readers and effective users of ideas and information to become lifelong learners. The Association provides leadership, professional development, publicity, networking and support to the Connecticut school library community. CASL supports licensed, highly qualified library media specialists and fully funded library programs in all K-12 schools. CASL promotes collaboration between classroom teachers, library media specialists, administrators, and curriculum specialists for the benefit of student achievement especially in information literacy and technology literacy. CASL serves as a cooperative agency bringing together the profession, the State Department of Education, regional associations, national associations, and the general public.

Community/Membership 

Goal

Actively pursue full participation by the entire school library media specialist community, as well as other information literacy and technology literacy educators.

Objectives

• Establish successful communication with the university educational preparatory program.
• Sponsor workshops that encourage collaboration with other disciplines such as reading and technology.
• Encourage participation in professional development through the CASL workshops.
• Publicize the benefits of being a CASL member.
• Engage in a membership campaign to attract new members and encourage members to renew their memberships
• Encourage the school library media specialist community, as well as other information literacy and technology literacy educators to apply for membership as part of conference registration
  

Advocacy /Public Relations

Goal 

Make effective and timely connections using print and electronic communications with Connecticut school library media specialists and inform the general public about issues related to our profession.

Objectives

• Develop a procedure for publicizing events related to the profession
• Improve communication with members to better inform them of association activities and issues related to our profession and to develop an understanding of their needs
• Inform new and prospective teachers of the roles of school library media specialists
• Improve electronic communications by seeking a new host for list serv and web site, by redesigning the web site and by using mass e-mail 
• Reach out to classroom teachers, administrators, curriculum specialists, the State Department of Education, regional educational service centers and other constituencies who affect the quality of school library media programs 

Professional Development/Programming 

Goal

Encourage greater participation in CASL’s programs by developing relevant programming presented in a variety of formats in unique locations and offering those programs to a larger audience of both CASL members and members of professional organizations who share CASL’s interests.

Objectives

• Determine relevant programming by creating an interactive electronic survey of the program interests of members
• Encourage greater participation in CASL programs by developing programs in a variety of formats in alternative and unique locations
• Contact "big name" speakers who appeal to a larger audience of both CASL members and members of professional organizations who share CASL’s interests
• Continue to work collaboratively with the professional development staff with the RESCs, CLC and consultants in the State Dept of Ed 
• Publicize events using CASL-L, CASL web site, e-mail distribution lists and through the list servs of other organizations with similar interests
• Develop programs that promote collaboration between classroom teachers, library media specialists, administrators, and curriculum specialists 
  

Executive

Goal

Provide visionary and responsive leadership committed to maintaining a flexible, effective organization that fulfills its mission.

Objectives

• Participate in AASL programs such as the AASL Vision Summit, and AASL Affiliate Assembly that position CASL to proactively address issues and anticipate trends in our profession
• Provide the Board with the most current information, best practices, research and theory in our profession
• Lead the Board in addressing the major issues in our profession such as funding, reading, technology, role of the school library media specialist and intellectual freedom
• Seek the opinion of Board members through a variety of formats such as Board meetings, surveys, and e-mail 
• Assess the flexibility and effectiveness of CASL on a regular basis and respond appropriately
• Assess the strategic plan on a regular basis and respond appropriately