A Special Message from Martha Alewine
Mar 13th, 2011 by Cathy Jo Nelson
With permission I am reposting a message that was sent out on the SCASL listserv by Martha Alewine. It is with some sadness that I share this, but I know Martha will continue to work towards making SC Librarians better, and best, she is now in a better position for advocacy in our name! I know we will continue to see her at SCASL conferences and workshops. You just can’t squelch her passion for school libraries and South Carolina. Retirement does not equal out of sight or out of mind.
Over the past 13 years we have accomplished quite a few very important
things related to school libraries – professional standards for library
media specialists, an evaluation program designed specifically for
library media specialists, program standards and guidelines for school
library programs, to name just a few. We’ve also had some fun with some
important topics. Remember Design by the Book? Or the teleconference
about copyright that was a game show? Of course, we can’t leave out No
Book Left Unread.
We’ve celebrated some ups and weathered downs from the $1 million
special allocation from the General Assembly specifically for school
library books to ever-deepening budget and personnel cuts due to the
critical state of the economy. One of the lasting effects of the
budget/personnel cuts is the loss of the state consultant for school
libraries position at the State Department of Education. That position
had been a part of the Department of Education for over 60 years. It’s
regrettable and unfortunate that the position is gone and it’s unlikely
that it will be restored.
After much deliberation, reflection, and prayer, I have decided to take
early retirement which means your school libraries and you are without
an advocate at the State Department of Education. Next Wednesday, March
16, 2011, will be my last day at SCDE. I made this announcement
yesterday during the Awards Luncheon at the SCASL Conference so some of
you may already be aware of my decision.
I want to thank you for your friendship and support over the last 13
years. I will be doing some consulting work so if I can help you in any
way, please don’t hesitate to contact me. My new email address is
martha.alewine at gmail.com. Please set your email filters to accept
messages from this email address.
I leave you with this call to action: Remain focused on your mission.
Remain committed to your students and their preparation to become 21st
century citizens. Remain resolute in your advocacy for your school
library, your profession, and most especially for your students and
their access to your expertise and quality resources, information, and
instruction.
I wish you a successful conclusion to the 2010-2011 school year.
Martha
Martha Alewine
School Library Coordinator
Instructional Materials Coordinator, SC Virtual School Program
Office of eLearning
Division of Standards and Support
SC Department of Education
Martha,
I appreciate all you have done for South Carolina school libraries over the years and know that you will continue to help us improve them in a consultant capacity. Thank you for your passion and dedication, and best wishes as you enter a new phase of your life!