LIBRARY INFORMATION & TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM Source: library.Harvard.edu/lts

MISSION: To ensure that students are effective users and producers of ideas and information. Source: Palmetto Web Design

THE THREE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF OUR SCHOOL LIBRARY PROGRAM: Information Technology & Literacy Instruction Reading Advocacy Information Management & Services Pie-chart planning will be used to develop and expand the three main roles of the LIT program at our middle school.

LIT PROGRAM GOALS The LIT Program will… 1. Implement a rigorous instructional program to teach students how to find and evaluate information; understand and use multiple resources, technologies and formats; and share what they know and to use resources and materials properly. 2. Empower and inspire students in order to cultivate an appreciation for reading and lifelong learning. 3. Support a collaborative environment that provides fair access to resources that support a variety of learning styles and represent a diverse range of experiences and perspectives. But in order to attain these goals….

FIRST-YEAR PLAN Short-Term Goal: Assess and begin process of making adjustments to the library program to support our school. 1) Give out evaluation material (e.g. survey) to staff in order to determine the current state of our LIT program. 2) Assess students knowledge of information literacy skills using TRAILS assessment tool. 3) A Library Advisory Committee will be created to help strengthen and to advocate the growth of a LIT program in our middle school. The committee will consist of stakeholders: 1 administrator, 3 teachers (6 th, 7 th, 8 th ), 1-2 parents. Aspects of Program to Focus On: Align program with curriculum in order to meet needs of students and staff Develop resources and instruction of information literacy for student centered learning Encourage an appreciation for reading Evaluate library collection: print and electronic materials

INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY LITERACY INSTRUCTION 1. Begin developing Big6 Research Skills (target 1-2 grade levels and/or content areas) 2. Align information and technology instruction with curriculum in one core content area (ELA) 3. Teach digital citizenship using Common Sense Media (target 1-2 grade levels and/or content areas) 4. Focus Instruction On:  Online Databases  Citation Instruction  Research Strategies  Plagiarism Instruction

READING ADVOCACY Promote school-wide reading events/activities: 1. One Book fair 2. One author visit 3. Develop one book club based on award winning books 4. Book talks at least once per trimester 5. Initiate partnership with public library regarding summer reading program 6. Offer one reading incentive programs (at-home reading)

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND SERVICES 1. Become familiar with print and electronic materials in the library/analyze current library collection 2. Begin process of creating library webpage 3. Begin process of transforming library space into a learning common (physical & virtual Space) 4. Become familiar with process of budgeting for library 5. Write at least one grant for the first year for funding of materials

FIFTH-YEAR VISION By the 5 th year the plans that were implemented will expand and will include a few changes in order to meet these 3 program goals: 1. Implement a rigorous instructional program to teach students how to find and evaluate information; understand and use multiple resources, technologies and formats; and share what they know and to use resources and materials properly. 2. Empower and inspire students in order to cultivate an appreciation for reading and lifelong learning. 3. Support a collaborative environment that provides fair access to resources that support a variety of learning styles and represent a diverse range of experiences and perspectives.

INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY LITERACY INSTRUCTION 1. Continue to teach students in 6 th, 7 th, & 8 th grade Big6 research skills 2. Continue to teach digital citizenship using Common Sense Media 3. Include instruction on Web 2.0 tools (e.g. social networking, blogging, audio/podcasting) 4. Align information and technology instruction with curriculum in ALL content areas 5. Collaborate with colleagues to create lessons, resources, and activities that support school curriculum and embed information literacy skills to ensure students meet CCSS state standards. Collaborate on teaching:  Online Databases  Citation Instruction  Research Strategies  Plagiarism Instruction

School-wide reading events/activities will increase in frequency and grow to include community: 1. Community book fair twice a year 2. Author visits three times a year, once each trimester 3. Form multiple book clubs based on student interests of genres (e.g. fantasy, comics, mystery, etc.) 4. Book Talks 2-3 times a trimester 5. Summer reading program presentation and promotion by public libraries 6. Offer two different reading incentive programs (at-school and at- home reading program) READING ADVOCACY

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND SERVICES Weed, purchase, expand resources and materials & create a collaborative environment that fosters intellectual exploration and active learning: 1) Purchase new resources which support variety of learning styles and perspectives/experiences 2) Create newsletter to send updates about LIT program 3) LAC is well established with student voice added 3) Library space has transitioned to a learning commons 3) Well developed and established library webpage 4) Acquire & integrate the E-Book collection into the library catalogue 5) Create digital recordings to demonstrate how to access E-books and all their tools to post on library webpage 6) Continue writing grants (increase to 2-3 grants), also acquire funds through donorschoose.org

Source: LET’S CREATE A 21 ST CENTURY LIBRARY PROGRAM!