Dr. Marla W. McGhee should be named as the “Century’s Best Friend and Advocate of School Libraries.” Since 1989 she has learned more about and done more to promote school libraries than probably any other individual. On Thursday night, Elizabeth Polk, Director of Library Services for Austin I.S.D.; Carlyn Gray, Director of Library Services for Round Rock I.S.D., Jill Stimson, Librarian, Hill Elementary, Austin I.S.D.; and Barbara Jansen, Librarian, St. Andrew’s School, Austin, TX, honored Dr. McGhee for her unwaivering support and advocacy of school libraries by submitting her name for the Texas Association of School Librarian’s Administrator of the Year Award. Unfortunately, the Association did not choose her this year. Actually, I nominated her in 1992 and 1993 also. But the four of us know how incredibly deserving she is. Here are a few of the marvelous ways she supports and talks about school libraries:

• She served as the principal for Live Oak Elementary (I was her librarian), C.D. Fulkes Middle School (Carlyn), and Hill Elementary (Jill) and increased our budgets, help us to acquire new technology and materials, promoted the library media program in the curriculum, and fought for and won a new library for Hill.
• As a professor at Texas State University, San Marcos, she included the library media program when working with school administrative interns. Over 800 prospective principals and assistant principals learned how a well-supported library media program will engage students in learning and increase scores.
• As a co-author of The Principal’s Guide to a Powerful Library Media Program (2005, Linworth Books), Marla is frequently requested by state library associations (Texas–5 years, Indiana, Missouri) and school districts to help administrators and librarians collaborate effectively. She and I are working on the second edition of the book to be published Fall 2010. She has also written several articles about effective library media programs.
• In her position as professor at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR, she offered a session to student teachers on how the school library media program can assist them in their teaching and learning.
• As Interim Director of Staff Development for Staff Development for Austin I.S.D, Marla speaks at librarian meetings, offering strategies for good communication with their principals. She also promotes the library every chance she gets in administrative meetings.

Should she have won the TASL award? You decide.

1. “The most important part of my job is my instructional and collaborative role.”
2. “I am knowledgeable about curriculum and the 21st century learner.”
3. “An effective LMP impacts every student and faculty member.”
4. “The library program is critical to literacy.”

We discussed each point in detail. I think he was somewhat surprised with the amount of teaching I do. His own experiences with library media specialists seem to be in a supportive role–one of providing a variety of resources. Yes, that is one of our important roles, but it didn’t make the short list (unless you include it under number 3 above). My request of him was not for money and additional space, but to advocate for teachers to work with me as often as possible. Of course, I want to work with all teachers, which is not happening. I also encouraged him to help me get teachers to realize that 21st century skills belong in all areas of the curriculum and are not a “technology” thing. He is a great listener and promises to do whatever he can. The year looks good!

Oh, by the way… he will find out on his own, the 5th item on our list, “Some aspects of my job may be done behind the scenes.” I didn’t think that was something I wanted to say the first time I met him. I am not sure why–it just didn’t seem to fit at the time.