The Principal's Guide to a Powerful Library Media Program » (Revised)

This book of best practices documents how school administrators and librarians can work together to optimize their library media services.

School Library Journal

Five well-paced chapters provide administrators with a knowledge base of library-related philosophy and research; best practices in collaboration and instructional issues; responsibilities that effective librarians assume; nuts and bolts of hiring, scheduling, budgeting, and facilities; and professional development. Each chapter opens with questions that a principal might ask and includes a concise introduction, specific suggestions for action, and extensive citations, resources, rubrics, and examples. A four-step model for improvement with the acronym GEAR (Gather information, Establish goals, Apply strategies, and Reflect) is included. The appendixes consist of useful guides and forms to use for assessing unit planning, evaluating the search process, integrating research and writing, suggested time allocations, budget, interview questions, checklists, and GEAR worksheets. While administrators are unlikely to seek out this volume, librarians would do well to read it for their own professional development, highlighting and passing along information to their principals with hopes that they become interested enough to continue reading on their own.-Mary R. Hofmann, Rivera Middle School, Merced, CA Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Acknowledgments xiii

About the Authors xv

Table of Figures xvii

Contents of CD xix

Foreword Robert E. Berkowitz xxi

Foreword Carl D. Glickman xxiii

Introduction xxv

About Language and Levels of Practice xxvi

What Is Included xxvii

Works Cited xxviii

Chapter 1 Instructional Leadership, Research, and Standards for Library Media Programs 1

Guiding Questions 1

Introduction 1

Principals and Assistant Principals as Instructional Leaders 2

The Library Media Specialist, the Library Media Center, and Student Performance 5

Supporting the Taught and Tested Curriculum 7

National Guidelines and State Standards for Library Media Programs 9

Essential Concepts for This Chapter 12

Planning for Action and Getting Started 12

Works Cited 13

Additional Resources 13

Chapter 2 Effective Practices in Integrating the Library Media Program Across the School and Curriculum 15

Guiding Questions 15

Introduction 15

Learning Standards 16

Information Search Process 18

Collaboration 18

Reasons for Collaboration 19

Expertise 19

Curriculum 19

Benefits to Students 20

Levels of Collaboration 20

Steps to Effective Collaboration 20

Planning 20

Direct Instruction 21

Assessment of Student Process and Results 22

Evaluation 22

Obstacles to Collaboration 22

Emphasis on Testing 22

Scheduling 23

Time 23

Perceptions 23

Outdated Practices 23

Selected Examples of Full Integration across the Curriculum 24

Primary Grade Science and Social Studies 24

Intermediate Grade Science 25

Intermediate Social Studies and Language Arts 26

Middle School Grade Math 27

Middle School Health 27

High School Social Studies and Language Arts 28

High School Art History 29

High School Environmental Science and English Composition 30

Promoting Reading, Writing, and Visual Literacy 31

Ethical Issues and the Library Media Program 32

Promoting Intellectual Freedom through the Library Media Program 32

Equal Access to Ideas and Information 33

Copyright and Plagiarism 34

Essential Concepts for This Chapter 35

Planning for Action and Getting Started 35

Works Cited 36

Additional Resources 36

Chapter 3 Understanding the Roles and Responsibilities of the Library Media Specialist 39

Guiding Questions 39

Introduction 39

Instructional Partnership 41

Information Specialist 42

Automating Access to Materials 44

Access to On-Shelf Materials and Subscription Databases 44

Bibliographic Instruction 45

Professional Productivity 46

Noninstructional Technology Duties 47

Audio and Photography Equipment 47

Literacy Programmer 48

Reader Guidance 49

Text Leveling 49

Collection Developer 50

Developing a Culturally Responsive Collection 51

Materials Selection Policy 52

Addressing Challenges to Books and Materials 52

Program Administrator 53

Maintaining the Collection 53

Providing Access to Materials through the Library's Online Catalog and Circulation System 54

Library Volunteer Program 54

Communicating with Public Libraries That Serve the School's Attendance Area 56

Focusing on Priorities 57

Essential Concepts for This Chapter 57

Planning for Action and Getting Started 57

Works Cited 59

Additional Resources 59

Chapter 4 The Principal's Role in Supporting and Sustaining the Library Media Program 63

Guiding Questions 63

Introduction 63

Staffing the Library Media Program and Hiring a Library Media Specialist 64

Questions for Interviewing a Library Media Specialist 65

Hiring a Paraprofessional 66

Appraising the Library Media Staff 68

Budgeting for the Library Media Program 69

Scheduling for an Effective Program 70

Disadvantages of a Fixed Schedule 71

Advantages of a Fixed schedule 72

Advantages of a Flexible Schedule 72

How Does Flexible Scheduling Work? 72

Moving from Fixed to Flexible Scheduling 74

Optimizing a Fixed Schedule 75

Library Media Center Facilities 75

Lighting and Electrical Outlets 75

Wireless Access 76

Signage 76

Bookshelves 76

Seating Area for Pleasure Reading 76

Instructional Area 76

Story Time and Presentation Area 77

Computer Tables 77

Circulation Desk 77

Décor 77

Book Displays 77

Library Media Specialist's Office and Work Space 78

Work Space for Students 78

Storage Room 78

Open Space 78

Advocacy for the Library Media Program 78

Essential Concepts for This Chapter 81

Planning for Action and Getting Started 81

Works Cited 81

Additional Resources 82

Chapter 5 Continuous Improvement and the Library Media Program 85

Guiding Questions 85

Introduction 85

Characteristics of Effective Professional Development 86

The Principal's Role in Professional Development 87

Professional Development for the Library Media Specialist 90

Library Media Specialist as a Professional Developer 92

Content of Professional Development Conducted by the Library Media Specialist 93

Professional Growth for the Paraprofessional 94

Providing Support through Supervision 95

Crafting and Conducting a Program Evaluation or Self Study 97

Action Research as a Tool for Improvement 98

GEARing Up for Success: An Action Improvement Model for Library Media Specialists 99

Steps of the GEAR Method 99

Gather Information 99

Establish Goals 99

Apply Strategies 99

Reflect 100

Successfully Applying the GEAR Method 100

Scenario 100

Gather Data 100

Establish Goals 100

Apply Strategies 100

Reflect 100

Essential Concepts for This Chapter 101

Planning for Action and Getting Started 101

Works Cited 101

Additional Resources 102

Appendixes

Appendix A Administrator Self Assessments for Important Chapter Concepts 103

Appendix B Evaluating Collaborative Units of Instruction 108

Appendix C Providing Access to Materials through the Library's Catalog (Cataloging and Circulation) 111

Appendix D Library Media Specialist Interview Questions 114

Appendix E Paraprofessional Interview Questions 116

Appendix F Library Media Program Budget Proposal Worksheet 118

Appendix G Library Media Program Budget Worksheet 120

Appendix H Library Walk-About Checklist 122

Appendix I Library Media Specialist Instructional Activities Feedback Form 125

Appendix J Administrator's Library Media Program Feedback Form 127

Appendix K Guide Sheets for Library Self Study-Budgeting, Scheduling and Usage, and Staffing 129

Appendix L Action Research as a Tool for Improvement 133

Appendix M GEAR Worksheets for Concepts in Chapters 2 and 3, Including Blank Worksheet 135

Index 139