Library+Ideas


 * Create comfortable space - beanbags, nicer tables, quotes on wall, etc.
 * Increase books and media to encourage more classroom and individual visits. Focus especially on non-fiction in themes taught this year at all grade levels. First priority: create a collection map and a development plan.
 * Outreach to parents on G/T materials.
 * Centralized thematic calendar on wall; added to by hand.
 * Create a Library Advisory Board
 * Develop and distribute info on research tools and options
 * Conduct library orientation at all grade levels; conduct research seminar/workshop for grades 1-8.

Ideas: [|Saving School Library Programs] from Joyce Valenza's presentation on proving your library's impact If you want the support of your administrators... • Show them your impact on student learning / achievement • Document tangible learning outcomes • Do not advocate for libraries; advocate for learners • This evidence may not exist -you must gather it! Is the Perception that... • That your library and its initiatives make a difference in student learning? • Do teachers and administrators say, “We need to see more of this!”? • That the library contributes to the continuous improvement of the school program? Use your website or blog... • As your teaching portfolio • As a dynamic public relations tool • As interactive communication vehicle—blogs, wikis, etc. • As instructional tool • As a knowledge management site with you as CIO Collection Mapping (Slide #66) Game Plan for Change: • Issue (Pick just one for now!) • • Vision • • Anticipate the resistance • • Plan the first steps Your mission: •Guiding principles that state goals, values, and vision //[Stargate Library will be a centralized, user-friendly, comfortable environment and quality resource for Stargate students, staff and parents which will assist all patrons in locating procuring those resources quickly and efficiently through a wide variety of suppliers.]// •Should be achievable •Consider larger mission of the school //[////Stargate School will provide a quality, progressive, and well managed school for identified intellectually gifted students that challenges each student's academic and intellectual abilities, promotes individual character development and encourages a life-long love of learning.//] •Should be a mission the whole school can endorse

Libraries don’t exist in vacuums. It’s about others!

[|Teacher Librarians Toolkit for Evidence-Based Practice]

Evaluation: from "[|The Principal's Manual for Your School Library Media Program]," by Gail Bush for AASL: Ponder these questions together [principal & LMS]
 * What is our mission?
 * How can we work together as partners to achieve this mission?
 * How can we encourage collaboration with teachers?
 * How can the library media specialist become more involved with the curriculum?
 * Think backwards - what information skills do we want our students to have when they leave our school?

A vision: from Nancy White, [|21st Century Learning @ Your School Library] ... If people want to see what we mean by “21st century learning” – they need only step into a vibrant school library media center to see it in action. Why? Students are engaged in project-based learning, using technology, accessing, evaluating, using information to produce a quality product. Chances are, the teacher-librarian has collaborated with one or more classroom teachers to plan this learning experience, and there is some connection “outside of the school walls” either through information gathering or authentic assessment... Teacher-librarians need to be there with a quick and ready answer when their administrator starts asking “how can I begin to implement some of the elements of 21st century learning in my school?” The answer should be – “This is what I do – lets work together to get more teachers involved.”