Letter to Readers
School Library Monthly/Volume XXVI, Number 1/September 2009
Announcing a New Name for SLMAM
By Deborah D. Levitov
Dear Readers,
The 2008-2009 volume year of School Library Media Activities Monthly (SLMAM) featured its 25th anniversary. As we begin this volume year (2009-2010), we look to our future, our next quarter century with you, our readers in the school library profession. With that in mind and after much thought and consideration, we introduce the new name for the magazine, School Library Monthly (SLM).
Backward design has been put into play over the past four years to move the magazine to this moment. The process began by determining what was important for the readers of SLMAM, while the goals and objectives were outlined for the magazine. As you have noticed, many new columns have been added, and the look of the magazine has been updated along with a newly created Web site and the addition of a blog. An advisory board was formed that represents the geographic United States and is made up of accomplished leaders in the profession. With the help of the advisory board, the magazine changes each year to reflect the needs of our readership, adapting the content to current trends and issues.
With the beginning of the next quarter century for the magazine, it seems the perfect time to move the magazine forward and offer readers a new name to go with the new look and updated content. The new title is shorter and more concise to help with easier identification and simply make it easier to say. Yet, it is important to honor the history of the magazine and maintain the connection to SLMAM by retaining the three main words of the title that best describe the content: School Library Monthly.
There are ten issues published in each volume that span the school year, thus the magazine fits the description of a monthly publication. Also, the content is written by and for school librarians, so it is appropriate for the new name of the magazine to be School Library Monthly, emphasizing the readership as school librarians.
Please join us in celebrating the launch of our new name, School Library Monthly (SLM), as we look forward to meeting the needs of 21st-century learners through school libraries. SLM will continue to bring you the voice of your colleagues and offer content with fresh ideas that can be used today in the school setting. SLM will continue to provide an environment for conversation and will promote instructional practices and professional development relevant to school librarians, moving into the future. The mission of the magazine is to provide information that can empower and enable school libraries and school librarians to be the best they can be now and tomorrow, just as it has done in the past. Celebrate with us as we launch Volume 26, Issues No. 1-10 with the new name, School Library Monthly.
Deborah D. Levitov
Managing Editor