Chapter 15
United We Stand
Build a Solid Team of Parents, Friends, Librarians and Schools
As more and more schools and libraries are getting online, teachers and librarians are getting wired too. (No, that doesn't mean that they are doing anything they shouldn't be doing <g> . . . it means that they're getting online.) They're a great resource for parents. They have a chance to get to know our kids and our neighbors' kids, know what they're doing when you're not looking and know what wonderful things there are online.
Ask them to set up a program to try to get parents involved. Do what you can to help; they deserve our support and admiration. (I've said it before, but librarians are our most underestimated natural resource. And, I've been lucky enough to know some really sensational ones.) You should also check out the American Librarians Association's (the ALA) website (www.ala.org). It's a wealth of resources and tips.
The American Librarians Association features a good site called KidsConnect (www.ala.org/ICONN/kidscom.html), which is run by the American Association of School Librarians, a division of the ALA. Through e-mail submitted at the site, kids can send inquiries to the librarians online, and within a couple days get help in locating resources that respond to their inquiries. The kids are then referred to their school library media specialist. KidsConnect helps build teams.
In addition, after you've finished this book and have had a chance to surf around for awhile, you may be able to contribute meaningfully to the plans to get your schools and libraries online. Share the wealth. Let them know what you've learned and let them teach you what they know. (My next book is for teachers, since my daughter entered one of the best technology education programs in the country this fall. Hopefully, all you teachers out there will help us.)
Look over the school's proposed Internet use policies and see if there's something you can suggest to improve them. Volunteer to help teach other parents and share resources and sites you've found. Share keywords.
The only way we can truly protect our children in cyberspace is to build a solid team of parents, friends, librarians and schools. Here are a few tips:.
Team Tips
• What are other kids accessing?
• How much do other parents know about the Internet?
• What kinds of use policies have been set up?
• Coordinating with other parents, agree on a common policy.
• Enforce the joint policy with other parents and respect their values.
• Share new ideas and family website finds with others.
• What software are they using?
• How can you get the best out of the software they chose?
• Plan a few community projects, like a cyber scavenger hunt.
• Use your libraries' tech resources.
• Make sure your librarian is an important part of the team.
The best Internet use policies I have found come from libraries, and the "cream of the crop" seem to come from school libraries. Check with your school librarian and see what they're using.