By Kathryn C. Sherlock, Ph.D.
Former School Library Media Consultant, Ret., New Mexico Public Education Department
WHY IS A QUALITY SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA PROGRAM IMPORTANT?
Over the past decade, a substantial body of research (more than 60 U.S. statewide studies) shows a significant positive relationship between quality school library programs and student academic achievement. The studies clearly document this impact—measured in terms of reading scores or other literacy and more general academic learning. A quality school library program can lead to higher student achievement regardless of the socio-economic or educational levels of the community. These research findings are summarized in “School Libraries Work!” a Scholastic Research Foundation Paper (3rd ed., 2008) which can be found on the Web at: ww2.Scholastic.com/content/collateral_resources/pdf/s/slw3_2008.pdf. (Shortcut: Google-search the phrase: “School libraries work!”). They clearly show that:
- SCHOOL LIBRARIES ARE CRITICAL FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT. In schools with quality library programs, student performance on annual academic assessments consistently averaged 8-10 points higher than other schools.
- SCHOOL LIBRARIES ARE LEADING THE WAY FOR TECHNOLOGY USE IN SCHOOLS. Effective school libraries are much more than books; they are learning hubs with a full range of print, media and electronic resources that support student achievement, helping children and youth to engage meaningfully with a wide variety of information sources. Trained library staff support the use of electronic information resources not just in the library media center, but also in classrooms and throughout the curriculum.
- SCHOOL LIBRARIES INSPIRE LITERACY. Research has shown that school libraries have the tools to inspire literacy in learners of all ages. When students have the opportunity to choose meaningful literature and to explore information that matters to them, many forms of literacy emerge and develop.
- SCHOOL LIBRARY PROGRAMS ARE THE LABORATORY FOR DEVELOPING INFORMATION LITERACY. School library programs provide not only resources but guidance for students, providing them with opportunities for making their own choices and evaluating their choices. We live in the Information Age, in which “information literacy” has become universal currency—a common skill required for success at any stage of life. This is especially true for our children who, now more than ever, must be equipped to access, evaluate and use information competently in print, electronic and media formats.
- SCHOOL LIBRARIES PROVIDE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING AND ACHIEVEMENT TO ALL STUDENTS. Well-funded school libraries provide access to information and literature for all children, including those with little personal means to obtain reading and electronic resources.
“A better investment of our millions is in school and public libraries. Studies show that school library quality and staffing are significant predictors of achievement on reading tests. This makes sense: More access to books means more reading, and more reading means better reading, larger vocabulary, better spelling and better writing. Students who are behind in reading are typically those who are economically disadvantaged and who, therefore, have little access to reading material outside of school. Investing in libraries is an obvious first step. (Stephen Krashen, Professor Emeritus ,University of Southern California)
- SCHOOL LIBRARIANS ARE IMPORTANT TEACHERS. Credentialed school librarians play key roles in promoting information literacy, media literacy and reading. They do this by working collaboratively- team teaching with teachers. Librarians train both students and teachers in information literacy and media literacy – developing their skills in how to access, evaluate, use and produce information from all kinds of sources
- SCHOOL LIBRARIES CAN BE A KEY INFLUENCE IN THE COMMUNITY. Today’s school libraries must be gathering places for people of all ages and all interests to learn, to explore and to debate ideas. They must be accessible to the total school community, on-site or remotely; they must help to provide a community network of information and education services for people of all ages.
AN EFFECTIVE SCHOOL LIBRARY…
- Empowers students, parents and teachers, enabling them to develop skills in reading, critical thinking, making informed and intelligent choices, and solving problems;
- Fosters creativity, responsibility and independence;
- Is cost-effective, because one book, video recording or database is used by many;
- Provides flexible scheduling and timely access to the collection by all students;
- Offers a broad range of materials that cannot be duplicated in a single classroom;
- Addresses a broad range of reading levels;
- Minimizes loss through cost-effective tracking systems;
- Supports learning to read and reading to learn with informational and imaginative texts and literature;
- Adds new resources throughout the school year to keep collections and teachers up to date, dynamic and well-informed;
- Is accessible to the total school community, on-site or remotely;
- Helps to create a sense of identity and ownership that is shared by the entire school community.
WHAT COMPONENTS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR A QUALITY PROGRAM?
Key elements needed for a quality library program include:
- Adequate funding for library collections and access to information services, facilities and equipment.
- Adequate staffing with state-endorsed library media specialists/librarians and support staff (library assistants). This includes support for ongoing professional development for all library staff.
- Adequate common planning time provided in the school schedule for library media specialists to integrate information literacy and media literacy into the curriculum by planning and implementing lessons with teachers and students.
- Flexible scheduling of library accessibility – during and after the school day, sharing services on evenings, weekends or in summer programs in collaboration with other types of libraries.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO DEVELOP QUALITY SCHOOL LIBRARIES?
LEADERSHIP
- Visit your school library, learn about the library program, and include your library staff in school-wide decision making.
- Put the quality of your school library media program on the table as one of the priorities when developing the EPSS (long-range plan) for school and district, reviewing budget, planning to improve AYP and planning to increase parent and community involvement in the school.
- Join the New Mexico Advocacy for School Libraries’ listserve (aslsig) to stay up to date and have your questions answered by librarians in the field.
(Apply to judy.ramsey2006@hotmail.com)
- Look for ways to encourage networking, collaboration and cost-sharing across library-related agencies and organizations at both the state and local levels.
- Persuade your state legislators and agency leaders to take action to improve leadership and funding for quality school library programs.
STAFFING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Hire a qualified (endorsed) school librarian and a library assistant for each school. To be fully effective, both must be full-time.
- Support (with funding and leave) ongoing professional development of library staff.
- Encourage all library staff members to join the Advocacy for School Libraries’ listserve (mentioned in the previous section).
INSTRUCTION IN INFORMATION AND MEDIA LITERACY
- Provide adequate time for the school librarian to plan and deliver instruction with teachers and to train teachers and administrators in the area of information and media literacy.
- Curriculum standards for school library programs will soon be in state regulation – that is, they are required to be taught in New Mexico public schools.
ACCESSIBILITY
- Provide a flexible schedule so as to have full use of the school library.
- Consider after-school, summer services or joint cooperative services with other libraries (public, college, tribal…)
- Provide online information about library resources (such as the catalog).
FUNDING
- Vote and encourage others to vote for statewide support of libraries: the state bond program for our school, public, college and tribal libraries. To obtain a list of the Bonds for Books funding that was approved for school libraries in the past 4 elections (2002-2008) or other information about the current state bond request, look on the Web at www.bondsforlibraries.org.
- Encourage your state legislators to further expand New Mexico’s School Library Materials Fund.
- Insist that your school district provide funding from the district operating budget to support every school library, and encourage the district and school to keep the school librarian regularly informed on the status of the library’s budget.