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TL11.1_v5 The Teaching Librarian Volume 11, no. 1 35 policy document for school libraries which takes into account the expanded role for school libraries and teacher-librarians in the infor- mation age. A new document needs to take current research on the rela- tionship between effective school libraries and student performance into account in order to address the role of school libraries in improving student achievement in literacy development, information literacy skills, and the use of information technology. This new document should also set provincial standards for school libraries so that Ontario's students have equitable access to program and resources. 2. The funding formula needs to be fixed and school boards need to be made accountable for how school library funding is used. The present funding formula is inade- quate both in terms of the ratio of teacher-librarians per pupil and in terms of salary benchmarks. Funding needs to be changed so those school libraries are open throughout the school day and staffed by teacher-librarians with paraprofessional support. Because there are at present no clear policy or program standards for school libraries, school boards have in many instances used even the inade- quate funding currently provided for other purposes. Provincial funding for school libraries needs to be con- sidered as targeted funding so that school boards and individual schools are directly accountable for how these funds are spent. 3. School library collections need to be updated, augmented, and improved so that Ontario's students have access to quality resources. Targeted annual provincial funding for school library resources (sepa- rate and distinct from textbook resources) is required, and school boards and individual schools need to be made accountable for the spending of these funds. 4. The Ministry of Education needs to appoint central ministry staff to be responsible for school libraries. This staff would maintain provincial standards, give direction to curriculum development and pro- gram delivery, and collaborate with other provincial initiatives such as literacy, at-risk, and information technology programs so that the role of the school library is included in these initiatives. OSLA looks forward to working with you to ensure that all students in Ontario benefit from quality school collections and quality school library programs. z dateline TL OLA READING PROGRAMS 2004 Registration open. Inclusive fee for all reading programs: $20. Register through the OLA Web site. January 28 / 9:00 to 5:00 BEYOND GOOGLE: SEARCHING FASTER AND SMARTER ON THE WEB Rita Vine OISE, Toronto. Lab-based. $219.00 Non-member, $269.00. January 29-31 SUPER CONFERENCE 2004 the event Over 300 speakers, 200 workshops, 225 booth exhibit, social events and some 3,600 of your peers and friends! Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Full, daily, expo only registration available. The full conference pro- gram is on the OLA web site. Just go to Hot Links and click on the above icon. COMNG IN FEBRUARY The Spring 2004 program from THE OLA EDUCATION INSTITUTE Watch your mail and the OLA Web site for details. http:// www.accessola.com Your OLA information source. D KENNEDY, MINISTER OF EDUCATION