The library media center serves as the heart of the school, ensuring staff and students are effective users of ideas and information. This is accomplished through access to information, research instruction, reading opportunities, and cultural connections. The library is a welcoming place, a sanctuary, where users explore and discuss intellectual and social issues. The learning hub of the school, an effective library program promotes engagement of reading, collaboration, and academic achievement.
Our Library Media Center will provide access to information and ideas for students as they develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Teacher-Librarians, through resources and cooperative instructional activities, equip students to find, review, evaluate, and use a broad range of ideas effectively. It is our goal to create a neutral space where every student regardless of background, ethnicity, SES, or other labels may come and access resources and information available to everyone.
Advice for success:
Try to determine the viewpoint of the principal
ERIC digest (2002) by Gary Hartzel, former school administrator that supports libraries http://www.cgrove417.org/cghs/KASL/adinit/librarysupport.pdf http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-3/libraries.htm and other reprints too Hartzel is the name to use for database searches
If you have not read Indiana learns yet-- section http://www.indianalearns.org/introleadership.asp
AASL flyer http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslpubsandjournals/aaslbooksandprod/principalsmanual.pdf
Philadelphia http://libraries.phila.k12.pa.us/misc/principals.html
Look at principal organizations http://www.naesp.org/
ProQuest has several fine ones and more by Dianne Oberg ( I postedone on resources earlier)
Principal Informational Handouts
The following one-page handouts provide information to the Principal about the role of Library Media Center, and the teacher-librarian. Each handout also includes additional resources:
Budgeting for the Best.doc: By Amanda
Your+school+library1.doc: Darlene
Library Media Center & Reading Enrichment.doc Darlene
Grants.An Expansion of Services.doc: By Amanda
Key Value of Your School Library 6-11-07.doc by Pam
School Libraries are Critical for Student Achievement 6-11-07.doc by Pam
Information Literacy.doc and the Big 6 page: By Karen
flexible scheduling final.doc: Amy
LayoutFinal.doc: Amy
Role of tech in LBSC.doc: Justin
principals paper.doc: JoAnn
Comments (5)
joann said
at 6:47 pm on Jun 10, 2007
I am reading my part which is volunteers and support staff, and do not have an idea how to make changes suggested by NAdeen. I understand what she wants, but cannot figure how to make the changes.
AmandaW said
at 1:10 am on Jun 11, 2007
Wow, tons of issues...if anyone needs to email me at work: aworkman@cheneysd.org, or call 509.599.4511. Should we get together before class?
Amy said
at 10:13 am on Jun 11, 2007
Nadean, I changed the square footage as you requested but I did find that infomormation on several sites where I was walked through the remodeling process. Perhaps I should have said per student when the library is at "full capicty". For example, if 50 people are in the library at 30 square feet per student you would want a 1500 square foot room which is approximately 50x30 feet. I don't think that is unreasonable.
nadean said
at 2:04 pm on Jun 11, 2007
The facts are going great, I think the tone and approach is what is vital--- principals need square footage, volunteer ideas-- but they need/want to hear the benefits and WHY is is vital for students and student achievement. Example: The libray as the "hub" of the school-- not enough to say those words-- the libray as hub is physically convienent for teachers, administrators and students so that last minute ideas can be easily checked out. The hub of the school website because accessing the library is vital for information through 24/7 to assist teachers and students when they are are home. So parents can check assignments and resources to use for success. The hub of the information of the school because librarians are capable and willing to help in the search for information for all types of problems. They have expertise with new sources, technologies and a statewide network of connections.
Does that help a little? Yes, it is difficult, yes it is what you need to do on a daily basis. The article about principals give many suggestions. It is just easier to see our own viewpoint, so that is what we do first.
Pamela Timmer said
at 6:07 pm on Jun 11, 2007
So good to be done.
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