Paul Whitsitt Jodi Dodds-KinnerDirector, Libraries andElementary Literacy Information Services

US Dept. of Education Improving Literacy through School Libraries Grant CPS Partnership between the Department of Libraries and Office of Literacy $298,678 award One year grant, through

Keith Curry Lance Researcher

Illinois Study Available online at the Illinois School Library Media Assn website

Library Predictors of Test Scores Flexible scheduling Staffing Staff activities Collection Educational technology Expenditures Usage

School Level Books Periodi- cals Copy- right Elementary9, Middle8, High11, Larger, newer collections → higher test scores Larger, newer collections → higher test scores

School Level Library Expenditures Elementary$4,500 Middle$6,250 High$10,255 More spent on libraries → higher test scores More spent on libraries → higher test scores

More library-connected computers → higher test scores School LevelLibrary PCs Other PCs Elementary945 Middle1360 High26125

School Level Flexible Hours Elementary16 Middle30 High35 More flexibly scheduled hours → higher test scores More flexibly scheduled hours → higher test scores

School Level I.D. Hours Elementary2 Middle3 More time identifying materials for teachers → higher test scores More time identifying materials for teachers → higher test scores

School Level Staff Hours Elementary42 Middle49 High70 More library staff → higher test scores More library staff → higher test scores

Criteria for School Participation Areas 7, 8 and 9 Schools Librarian and literacy coach in place Good library collections that could be improved Room to create a child literacy center Willing to hold out-of-hours programming Communicate through CPS Enthusiastic participants!

“A B C” Areas of the Grant Access – to new resources, technology and added programs Best Practices professional development-- in literacy instruction and parent involvement Collaboration – of the librarian with the literacy coach and other teachers to align the library program, instruction and collection with the classroom and literacy curriculum

Use of Funds Merril Stegall Area Library Coordinators Jason Pasatta TMP Administrator

New Print Resources Funding based on grade 1-2 enrollment Resources to support K-3 curriculum, literacy instruction, recreational reading Resources will also support collaborative units (to be described later today) Purchase from CPS-approved vendors Include age appropriate magazine and newspaper subscriptions

Audio Books Multi-user Listening Center equipment provided 5 LeapPad stations provided Schools to purchase audio tapes, companion print copies, and LeapPad books

Library Furnishings Scaled-to-size shelving or storage units to house grant-purchased materials Magazine display shelves Above used to help create child literacy area (school contributes)

Other Technology Schools provided the following for primary use in the library: –Computers (per formula in grant) –Color printer –LCD projector and cart –SmartBoard

Online Resources Subscription to BrainPOP Jr. 24 Capstone Interactive K-3 eBooks

Out-of-Hours Programming 45 hours of primary literacy programming in library, led by librarian, literacy coach or tech coordinator School choice – 3 hours each of 15 Saturday mornings, OR 3 after school hours/week for 15 weeks, OR summer program for 2.5 hours, 3 days/week, over six weeks Activities include read-aloud, storytelling, drama, listening centers, creative writing, etc. Librarian and literacy coach paid 10 hours each to plan program

Best Practices PD Three half-day seminars with literacy experts from National-Louis University and CPS Office of Literacy Incorporating the library program First workshop held today Two full day BER workshops (librarians) Tuition support for unendorsed librarians

Parent Workshops Two, one-hour workshops per school School determines logistics to ensure parent participation Led by Office of Literacy primary literacy experts Attended by librarian and literacy coach Variety of topics

Collaboration Two collaborative units planned and taught through course of year Librarian works with literacy coach and or technology coordinator and a grade 1 or 2 teacher Out-of-hours pay for librarian and teacher/literacy coach/technology coordinator planning time Collaboration training by Dr. Gail Bush, National- Louis University

Monthly Planning Meetings Between October and April, librarians gather for 6 after school planning sessions Assure that purchasing is on track Answer questions regarding collaborative units, parent workshops, out-of-hours programs, etc.

Grant Evaluation Dr. Penny Billman Senior Research Associate Northern Illinois University