Library Media Specialists Impact Achievement: What’s A Principal to Do? VAESP Conference November, 2006

PRETEST: My library media specialist… 1.Is knowledgeable about content area curriculum standards. 2.Actively participates in curriculum development. 3.Promotes reading. 4.Meets, plans, and collaborates with classroom teachers. 5.Teaches students how to access, evaluate, and use information.

6.Trains teachers in the use of information technology. 7.Promotes ethical and responsible use of information. 8.Takes an active role in the instructional program of the school. 9.Effectively manages the library collection and library program to make it an integral part of the school. 10.Positively impacts student achievement.

Virginia Standards of Accreditation 8 VAC Each school shall maintain an organized library media center as the resource center of the school and provide a unified program of media services and activities for students and teachers…to support the instructional program.

Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning “The mission of the library media program is to ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information.”

Information Literacy Defined… The ability to recognize a need for information and to access, evaluate, and use that information

Statewide Studies: 1993 to Present Test scores improve in schools –which have a school library staffed by a licensed library media specialist and assisted by adequate staff, –in which the library has a strong collection and adequate funding, –in which the library media specialist collaborates with teachers, teaches information literacy skills, provides in- service for teachers in information technology, –in which library resources are available outside of library walls via computer networks.

Scores are higher when… A professionally trained, full-time, certified library media specialist leads the program. Adequate support staff is present. School library media collections are strong in quantity, quality, and variety. Students use the library media center and its resources.

Scores are higher when… Students have access to resources beyond the library media center. Library media specialists teach information literacy skills to students. Technology is available. Library media specialists provide information technology in-service for teachers.

Scores are higher when… Library media specialists collaboratively plan, teach, and evaluate with classroom teachers. Library media specialists collaborate with classroom teachers to integrate information literacy instruction into the content areas. Library media specialists take a leadership role in the teaching and learning that occurs in the school.

Summary of Common Findings Library media programs and library media specialists impact student achievement! School Libraries Work! Updated 2006 edition

What’s a Principal to Do?

Funding for collection development Clerical staffing to allow library media specialist to collaboratively plan, teach, and evaluate with classroom teachers Scheduling (flexible when possible to allow for best practice use of library facility and services)

What’s a Principal to Do? Understanding and vision of what the library media program contributes to school instructional program Modeling library use Communicating to teachers the importance of the library program

Examples of Library Media Specialist Actively Participating in Instruction

Utilizing Library Media Specialists in Curriculum Development and Implementation Collaboration with classroom teachers for instruction Involvement in curriculum level meetings Reading across the curriculum Materials for the reluctant reader Design of motivational reading programs

Connection of Library Information Skills to Classroom Instruction Handouts: 2 nd grade science SOL rd grade SOL—science, social studies, language arts, and math

Utilizing the Library Media Specialist in the Use of Information Technology Evaluation and selection of information technology In-service training for teachers in electronic information resources Connection to appropriate electronic information resources for students and teachers

Sample Library Information Resources to Support SOL Math 2.19 The student will read the temperature on a Celsius and/or Fahrenheit thermometer to the nearest 10 degrees.

KidsClick: Web Search for Kids by Librarians

Sample Library Information Resources to Support SOL Social Studies 3.2The student will study the early West African empire of Mali by describing its oral tradition (storytelling), government (kings), and economic development (trade).

eLibrary

Sample Library Information Resources to Support SOL Science 4.3 The student will investigate and understand the characteristics of electricity. Key concepts include a) conductors and insulators; b) basic circuits (open/closed, parallel/series); c) static electricity; d) the ability of electrical energy to be transformed into heat, light, and mechanical energy; e) simple electromagnets and magnetism; and f) historical contributions in understanding electricity.

SIRS Discoverer

Sample Library Information Resources to Support SOL English 5.5The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of fiction. –Describe the relationship between text and previously read materials. –Describe character development in fiction and poetry selections. –Describe the development of plot and explain how conflicts are resolved. –Describe the characteristics of free verse, rhymed, and patterned poetry. –Describe how an author’s choice of vocabulary and style contributes to the quality and enjoyment of selections.

Kids InfoBits

The Library as a Focal Point to Achieve Student Success Reading Information Technology Information Literacy Collaboration Dr. David V. Loertscher

Student achievement increases as library media specialists take an active role in the instructional program of the school! What’s a principal to do?

The Principal’s Taxonomy of Library Media Programs Dr. David V. Loertscher

Also in your folder… Academic Your Library (Virginia Department of Education) School Libraries: The Answer to the Puzzle (Virginia Educational Media Association) Your School Library Media Program and No Child Left Behind (American Association of School Librarians)

Audrey Church Coordinator, School Library Media Program Longwood University Farmville, VA Phone: Home page: Dr. Gerry Sokol Coordinator, Educational Leadership Program Longwood University Farmville, VA Phone: Home page: ational_leadership/index.htm