Encyclo-Media

Encyclo-Media is a two day educational conference hosted by the Oklahoma State Department of Education focusing on the fields of library media, reading, counseling, gifted and talented, and technology. The annual conference, usually held in mid-September, hosts approximately 2800 educators. Over 100 breakout programs, 250 exhibitors, 4 luncheons, national speakers, and state educators sharing their best practices are highlighted each year. National and state authors appear as speakers and to autograph their books.

Encyclo-Media 28 was held on September 18 and 19, 2008 at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Guest speakers were Sharon Draper, Coretta Scott King winner; Linda Sue Park, Newbery award winner; Hall Davidson; and more.

Encyclo-Media 29 will be held in September 2009 in Oklahoma City. Check the official Encyclo-Media Web page for information as it becomes available.

ponsoring Organizations

These four professional organizations help sponsor Encyclo-Media. Annually these groups host luncheons during the conference.
*Oklahoma Association of School Library Media Specialists (OASLMS)
*Oklahoma Technology Association, Inc. (OTA)
*Oklahoma School Counselor Association (OSCA)
*Oklahoma Association for Gifted, Creative, And Talented, Inc. (OAGCT)

Mission of Conference

Although the conference has had several directors, the mission has not changed. Encyclo-Media seeks to provide high quality professional development by encouraging Oklahoma educators to share their best classroom practices to peers, and by inviting nationally known speakers such as Jim Trelease, Richard Peck, Alan November, Patricia Polacco, Doug Johnson, Stephen Krashen, Sharon Draper, Linda Sue Park, and more.

History

Encyclo-Media began in 1981 as a statewide workshop, featuring library media programs. The first Encyclo-Media was held at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, OK on September 10 & 11, 1981. There was a special breakout program held for recipients of the Library Media Improvement Grant.

In the late 1970’s the Library Media Improvement Program was established by the Oklahoma state legislature, the Oklahoma State Board of Education, and the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE). Money was appropriated and Library Media Improvement (LMI) Grants were awarded to help upgrade the collection and staffing of school libraries to meet state and national guidelines. LMI Grants were awarded from 1978 through 1994, beginning with the 1977-78 school year.

Encyclo-Media got its start as a result of the LMI Grants. In 1980 a workshop was held for grant schools. There was so much interest, that Barbara Spriestersbach, Assistant Administrator at the OSDE, decided there was a need for professional development programs for everyone, not just grant schools. The following year, in 1981, Encyclo-Media was officially organized.

Barbara Spriestersbach was awarded the American Association of School Librarians Baker & Taylor Distinguished Service Award in 1991 for her leadership in the implementation of the LMI program.

Directors of the Library Media/Instructional Television Section have organized and directed the conference. Barbara Spriestersbach directed the first Encyclo-Media and continued through 1990. Bettie Estes-Rickner directed the conference in 1991 and 1992. Jeanie Johnson directed the conference from 1993 through 1995, and again from 2000 through 2004. Paula Walker directed the conference from 1996 through 1999. Barb Pfrehm first directed the conference in 2005 and continues as the current director.

Official Web Site

* [http://title3.sde.state.ok.us/encyclomedia/ Encyclo-Media Official Web site]

External links

* [http://sde.state.ok.us/Teacher/LibraryMedia/ Library Media/Instructional Television Official Web site]
* [http://sde.state.ok.us/ Oklahoma State Department of Education Official Web site]
* [http://www.oklibs.org/oaslms Oklahoma Association of School Library Media Specialists (OASLMS)]
* [http://www.oktech.org Oklahoma Technology Association, Inc. (OTA)]
* [http://www.okschoolcounselor.org Oklahoma School Counselor Association (OSCA)]
* [http://www.oagct.org Oklahoma Association of Gifted, Creative, and Talented, Inc. (OAGCT)]
* [http://www.trelease-on-reading.com/bio.html Jim Trelease Home Page]