Principal’s Presentation By Connie Woolsey Image from wikipedia

There have been over 21 state studies to confirm that school librarians support students in… Academic Achievement, Lifelong Learning, 21 st Century Skills, AND Reading. Kachel, (2011).

Ohio: 99.44% of over 12,000 students surveyed indicated that their school librarian helped them in regards to academic achievement and supporting their educational progress. 85% reported better grades on projects and assignments. 75% reported better grades on tests and quizzes, critical thinking, and more confidence in doing school work. Todd & Kulthau, (2004)

There has been significant correlation found between school library services and student achievement on standardized test scores in English Language Arts, Social Studies, and U.S. History. Achterman, (2008)

Performance levels on assessment scores increase when school has a highly utilized library. (Francis, Lance, & Lietzau, 2010) And how can we encourage the students and staff to use our Library Media Center?

Create a quality information-rich and technology-rich environment easily accessible by students and teachers. (Lance & Loertscher, 2001)

“Students tend to perform better on achievement tests where school libraries have better-networked online resources made accessible via computers in the library as well as in classrooms, labs, and offices”. (Francis, Lance, & Lietzau, 2010) According to studies in Pennsylvania and Colorado (2000), in high-scoring schools there are a growing number of: Students who can link to the LMC remotely Databases/electronic resources available online from the LMC Computers linked to the internet Technology Does Matter!

School libraries support many at-risk student who do not have access to technology or possess the technological literacy skills to succeed as 21 st century learners. (Small, Snyder, & Parker, 2009)

Why do we need money? Overall scores can be expected to be 10 – 20% higher. “Academic achievement increases as sustaining budgets keep the information-rich and environment current and of high quality”. “It’s worth the investment”! (Lance & Loertscher, 2001) “Schools that spend more on their libraries have higher reading and other scores at all grade levels”. High School scores increased by: Reading11.6% Writing/ACT6.7% (Baughman, 2000)

We are more than just librarians! “More students earned proficient or advanced reading scores and fewer students earned unsatisfactory scores where there was a full-time endorsed librarian”. Francis, Lance, & Lietzau, (2010)

The Roles of the Library Media Specialist

Instructional Partner Collaboration is a vital role for LMS. This is where we can be a leader within our school and communicate effectively with our staff. We can provide Common Core Curriculum resources via Pathfinders and collaboration with staff. “Student test scores were higher the more time librarians worked cooperatively with classroom teachers, the more they taught information literacy independently, and the more they provided in-service training to teachers”. (Lance, Rodney & Hamilton-Pennell, 2000) “Working together, we will accomplish much; working divisively we will accomplish nothing. The future belongs to those of us who can team and build for the children”. (Baughman, 2000) “Illinois: A 2005 study involving high schools showed that American College Testing (ACT) scores were highest for 11 th graders when there was a high degree of collaboration between school librarians and teachers across a range of activities such as identifying materials, planning lessons, and motivating students to read”. (Lance, Rodney & Hamilton-Pennell, 2005)

Informational Specialist Since we are moving towards becoming a Learning Commons Media Center this is more important that ever! This will take a lot of leadership and knowledge in finding the proper equipment and resources for our school. Students are using more media so the LMS help students and staff learn: Ethical uses of programs including copyright, plagiarism, and even laws on social media. To determine what are reliable online sources. How to use their online resources to conducts their researches. How to bring the digital age into their classroom by offering professional developments. “If the school librarian is to lead, he or she must understand content-area teaching and learning, new pedagogical strategies, trends in the educational and technology landscapes, and the skills related to information, media and technology fluency”. (AASL, 2009)

Teacher As teachers we… Help students with Critical thinking skills. Teach information literacy to students. Assist students with research and proper usage of online resources. Give resources on how to cite work properly. Encourage reading for pleasure. Collaborate with discipline teachers to enhance student learning. Help in writing lesson plans by providing resources to correlate with the Common Core Standards.

Program Administrator While program administration is a vital part of the media center is has shifted to #4 of all of the roles of the LMS. This is an area where the LMC Para Professional really comes into play. For the LMS to be able to teach, collaborate and work with students there needs to be a person who can assist with scheduling the media center and equipment, shelving books, working the circulation desk and general clerical duties. As a Media Center we: We keep a flexible schedule so staff and students have open access to the LMC. We open before and after school to encourage use of the LMC. We encourage students to bring their lunches to the LMC and work on projects and study during their lunch time. “Employ professional and support personnel who provide leadership and tireless partnering”. (Lance & Loertscher, 2001).

The roles of the Library Media Specialist “are interconnected; one cannot be preformed without the support of the others”. (AASL, 2009)

“library media specialists are more likely to be leaders in their schools if they: Have the ear and support of the principal and other administrators, Serve with other teachers as members of the school's standards and curriculum committees, Meet regularly with their own staff to plan and evaluate the effectiveness of LM program activities in advancing student learning”. (Lance, Rodney & Hamilton-Pennell, 2000)

References AASL. (2009). Empowering learnings: Guidelines for school library programs. Chicago, IL: American Association of School Librarians. Achterman, D.L. (2008). Haves, Halves, andHave-Nots: School Libraries and Student Achievement in California. Retrieved from Baughman, J. C. (2000). School libraries and MCAS scores. Retrieved from Francis, B. H., Lance, C. K., & Lietzau, A. (2010). School librarians continue to help students achieve standards: the third Colorado study. Retrieved from Francis, B. H., Lance, C. K., & Lietzau, A. (2010). School librarians continue to help students achieve standards: the third Colorado study. Retrieved from Kachel, Debra E. (2011). School library research summarized: A graduate class project. Retrieved from Lance, K. C., & Loertscher, D. V. (2001). Powering achievement: school library media programs make a difference. Retrieved from Lance, K. C., Rodney, M. J., & Hamilton-Pennell, C. (2000). How school librarians help kids achieve standards: the second Colorado study. Retrieved from Lance, K. C., Rodney, M. J., & Hamilton-Pennell, C. (2000). Measuring up to standards: The impact of school library programs and information literacy in Pennsylvania schools. Retrieved from Lance, K. C., Rodney, M. J., & Hamilton-Pennell, C. (2005). Powerful libraries make powerful learners: Illinois. Retrieved from

New York Comprehensive Center. (2011). Informational brief: Impact of school libraries on student achievement. Retrieved from Small, R. V., Snyder, J., & Parker, K. (2009). The impact of New York’s school libraries on student achievement and motivation: phase 1. Retrieved from Todd, R. J., & Kuhlthau, C. C. (2004). Student learning through Ohio school libraries. Retrieved from