The Daily Five Activities that LMS should schedule each day to increase the academic success of their students and strengthen the Library and Information Program

M.A.I.S. Conference November, 2002 Rome, Italy zLinda A. Vretos, Head Librarian zThomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology zFairfax County, Virginia, U.S.A.

Workshop Goals zParticipants will reflect on their daily library media center activities, evaluating their program.

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES zReview the five key activities of a daily library media program zDescribe the studies used to verify the activities zProvide ways to study a local Library Media Center program and document the program components zShare ideas

What activities must you do to have a successful day????????

LMC’s “Daily Five” : Five things to do every day zCollaborate with teachers to build solid learning experiences using LMC resources zTeach information literacy as a part of collaborative experiences zWork to get students to read more zManage the LMC in such a way as to deliver quality information as close to the student as possible zWork on you leadership agenda

Research to support the Daily Five zColorado studies, I and II (Keith Lance) at zAlaska study (Keith Lance) -Information Empowered, Alaska State Library, P.O. Box , Juneau, Alaska zPennsylvania Study (Keith Lance) at studies.html

The Power of Reading by Stephen Krashen. Englewood, Colorado: Libraries Unlimited. Available at The Literacy Crisis by Jeff McQuillan. Portsmouth, New Hampshire: Heinemann. Available at

Activity One: Collaborate with teachers to build solid learning experiences using LMC resources zPlanning units together zIdentifying materials for teachers zTeaching information literacy to learners during a unit zProviding inservice training for teachers zProviding motivational reading activities zPushing digital information beyond the LMC

Activity Two: Teach information literacy as part of collaborative experiences zLMS and the teacher work together to teach information literacy topics that include: Locating information - print and non-print, Judging the quality of the information, Building creative presentations, etc. zLMS should be part of the whole research process …not just helping students find information sources

Activity one and Activity two Studies have found that student scores rise when the LMC staff enhances the learning experience. Studies have found that LMC staff involvement in planning and teaching builds teacher effectiveness.

Activity three: work to get students to read more zEasy access to books zschool-wide reading programs zpaperback exchanges zauthor visits zpoetry reading Note: more reading equals higher student academic achievement

Activity four: Manage the LMC to deliver quality information as close to the students as possible zCollection development to provide information-rich and technology-rich collections zStudent services that provide easy access to the collection and teach skills that enable students to use the material effectively zRemote access to information

Activity four zLearners that take advantage of the LMC collection and services become capable and avid readers who are information literate zTeachers that take advantage of the LMC collection and services create high quality learning experiences Note: Student scores can be expected to be % higher than in schools without this emphasis

Activity five: Work on you leadership agenda zMeet regularly with administrators zServe on committees - curriculum, etc. zAttend school and staff meetings zHold library staff meetings (if appropriate) Note: Leadership roles and partnerships with administrators translate directly into the academic achievement of students

???????????????????????? zAre you following the “Daily Five” research? zDo you already make a difference? zCould things improve in any category? What next? Here’s where I began with the daily five information….

My plan of action: zPurchased supplies: large calendar and 3 ring notebook zCreated a lesson plan sheet to document classes, listing teacher collaboration, information literacy topics taught and any other information about the class z Used the calendar to record classes, meetings, reading programs, etc. z Collected lesson planning sheets in the notebook for future reference

More ….. zCombined four weeks of data and lesson planning information into a Principal’s Monthly report zChecked achievement scores for a baseline beginning zSurveyed students and teachers about databases used and reading interests z Developed a plan to improve in all five areas - a yearly plan that involved the entire LMC staff z Started a Student Library Advisory Board z Added a Suggestion box z Endeavor to connect with all the staff: book lists, displays, newsletters

Summation Research is mounting that students are at risk if they lack the types of information and technology that a strong school library media center program can deliver. I hope this session helps you deliver a library program that students must have in the 21st century.

The End The “Daily Five”