1. Are we speaking the same language?
Librarians, Principals, the school library,
and taking the lead
Joel Castro, Principal
East Early College High School
Houston ISD
(with lots of assistance from Aline Baldwin, EECHS librarian)

2. 866-740-1260 (toll free). When asked, key in your access code: 4146650
Texas Library Association presents Are We Speaking the Same Language? Librarians, Principals, the School Library, and Taking the Lead
To hear the audio part of the webinar, be sure to dial our conference call at
(toll free). When asked, key in your access code:
For technical help, contact the ReadyTalk support line at

3. Information for Later
CE certificates may be printed from the TLA CE web site tomorrow:
A free recording of this webinar will be available next Monday, May 10, on the same web site.

4. Helpful Tips
To minimize background noise, please mute your phone line by pressing *6. You may “unmute” your line by pressing *7.
Please note the “Raise Hand” button on your screen – or you can type questions via the chat box.

5. Also
Twitter hash tag will be #TLAweb.
Everyone will receive an evaluation survey immediately after the webinar.

6. Joel Castro Started as bilingual teacher 16 yrs ago.
Campus technologist, district technology supervisor, asst principal
Now Principal of East Early College High School

7. Are we speaking the same language?
Librarians, Principals, the school library,
and taking the lead
Joel Castro, Principal
East Early College High School
Houston ISD
(with lots of assistance from Aline Baldwin, EECHS librarian)

8. TLA Journal Article - A Review
What libraries mean to me
Principal’s role in the library program
Role of the librarian in student achievement
Common ground between the principal and school librarian

9. A Day in the Life of a Principal
Manage many different areas
Central office- school budget reduced by $65,000
Board member requests
Public complaints

10. How to Speak “Principal”
Say “student achievement” a lot throughout the conversation!
Non-verbal language- be seen working with teachers, especially core teachers (HS) or TAKS teachers (all)
Text-based communication- Use data showing “we’re better than the other schools!”

11. Librarians as Instructional Leaders
…if the principal is the only instructional leader in the building, we are all in trouble!
Library managers  value
What are you doing to impact instruction?
If you can get invited to science and math dept. meetings, you’ve done well !

12. Continuing Ed for Librarians
PD in school accountability 101 (feel the heat!)
PD- TEKS for core subjects
Crash the party- present at a department/grade-level meeting

13. Librarian Accountability Measures
Is it obvious that kids are excited to be in the library?
How many classes have you taught?
How many times have you met w/ teacher to support lessons?
Do others speak about the library’s value (and librarian’s value)?

14. Librarian Accountability Measures (2nd verse)
Usage stats on databases ($$$)?
Circulation stats? Historical ? Comparative?
How else does the librarian contribute to the betterment of school outside of the library (field trips, author visits, committees, clubs)?

15. 21st Century Librarians=
Students with 21st Century skills (blogs, wikis, Blackboard )
Teachers with 21st Century teaching strategies
21st Century schools
Librarians as technology experts

16. Questions or Comments? Please chat your questions or use the
“Raise Hand” button.

17. Are we speaking the same language?
Librarians, Principals, the school library,
and taking the lead
Joel Castro, Principal
East Early College High School
Houston ISD
(with lots of assistance from Aline Baldwin, EECHS librarian)

18. Brought to you by… Joel Castro, jcastro@houstonisd.org
Texas Library Association
Nan Ellis, Registration Coordinator
Gloria Meraz, Director of Communication
Brian Knaack, Meetings Assistant
Ileah Salazar, Meetings & Membership Assistant
Patricia Smith, Executive Director
Ted Wanner, Continuing Education Specialist
Special Thanks to ReadyTalk.com

19. Please Remember
Continuing Education Certificates may be printed tomorrow, May 13, on the TLA CE web site:
Recordings will be available next Monday, May 17, at the same web site.
Please complete the evaluation survey following the webinar

20. The End For more information: Ted Wanner
TLA Continuing Education Specialist /

21. The End