On April 28^th, 2006, Syracuse University’s Center for Digital Literacy hosted its 3^rd Annual E*LIT event, welcoming a select group of 3rd through 6^th grade students from various schools in New York State to the SU campus for a unique, interactive, and cultural experience featuring Grammy Award winning artist Joanne Shenandoah. Attending students were the proud participants in the recent E*LIT Competition. Working collaboratively with their library media specialist and teachers, these students had created technology-based projects centered on the life and/or works of Ms. Shenandoah. Submitted projects were assessed by a team of evaluators using a pre-established rubric and winners were announced. All participating groups were presented with an autographed copy of Ms. Shenandoah’s CD and picture book entitled “Skywoman:  Legends of the Iroquois" during the awards ceremony that followed the presentation.  Winning student groups were also invited to attend a private luncheon with Ms. Shenandoah after her performance.  For more information on the 3^rd Annual E*LIT Competition and Event, send an email to cdl@syr.edu or visit the Center for Digital Literacy Web site and look for E*LIT under the Activities menu. Reported by Kori M. Gerbig

Preparing Librarians For Urban Schools: The PLUS Program is Back

The nationwide shortage of qualified school librarians is approaching crisis proportions. School districts across the U.S. have identified qualified school library media specialists as among the seven most difficult types of educators to staff.

In New York City, most of the 650 elementary schools either have no library or have poorly-resourced libraries and approximately 93% of existing elementary libraries are staffed with non-certified, cluster teachers. Even middle and high school administrators complain of often having difficulty attracting highly qualified, well-trained librarians. As a result, there are far fewer library programs and services in information literacy, technology fluency, and other 21st century skills for those students who need them most.

In response to this urgent need, the School of Information Studies at
Syracuse University will soon restart its PLUS program in the Big Apple.
From 2002-2005, 30 elementary teachers serving in New York City elementary
schools were transformed into school library media specialists through IST’s school
media program. Now, an additional 65 PLUS scholars will participate, beginning in
spring and summer 2006, funded by the Institute of Museum & Library Services,
the Robin Hood Foundation, the New York City Department of Education’s Office
of Strategic Partnerships, and Syracuse University. Reported by Dr. Ruth V. Small