I've been following our conversation thread about the role and future of
libraries and librarians with interest. We had the same concern in my
district, and last year our group (media specialists from the 18 schools in
our district) petitioned our superintendent requesting ten minutes to speak
to all of our administrators at their first fall meeting (this including all
central admin people and all building principals and assistant principals).
We came up with the presentation, “Why Care about School Libraries?” that
gave them evidence from various studies that “school libraries are critical
for student achievement.”
We cited a 2005 Illinois study that listed the following as key components
as they correlate to higher test scores across all grade levels: “Flexible
scheduling, Fully staffed, Larger collections, Well funded, Educational
technology.” We also talked about a 2007 Indiana study whose findings
indicated, across all grade levels, schools tended to perform better on
ISTEP tests where there were “Better staffed, Better stocked, and Better
funded libraries,” and across all grade levels, schools also performed
better whose “principals valued flexible scheduling of the library, regular
meetings between the principal and library media specialist occurred, and
collaboration was practiced between the library media specialist and
classroom teachers.”
We went on to talk about the importance of collaboration with teachers, the
kinds of work we do with students, information literacy, correlation with
state academic and information literacy standards and so on. The bottom
line is that the four of us who presented the information (representing our
four types of schools (K-4, 5-6, 7-8, and 9-12), tried to get across to all
our administrators together who we are and what we can do for our schools.
We developed a polished, concisely written set of PowerPoint slides that
stressed what we were saying. I think we “wowed” them; they asked good
questions in that meeting and once we were back in our schools.
I’d be happy to share our notes and the PowerPoint we developed with any who
would like to adapt them for your own use. Please email me directly.
Beth Backus
Retired School Library Media Specialist, June 2008
Hamilton Southeastern Junior High School
Fishers, IN
35 years in education
bbackus1@att.net
"In spite of everything, I still believe that people are good at heart."
--Anne Frank
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG.
Version: 7.5.549 / Virus Database: 270.8.5/1755 - Release Date: 10/29/2008
5:27 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
* LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home