HOW STRONG LIBRARY MEDIA PROGRAMS MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SCHOOLS TODAY

“What a school thinks about its library is a measure of what it thinks about education.” --Harold Howe former U.S. Commissioner of Education

Over the past 30 years, many research studies have been conducted to investigate the impact of school library media centers on student learning. The results of these studies are very clear: School libraries help students achieve!

In 1993, Dr. Keith Lance published a major landmark study in Colorado that explored the impact of school library media programs and librarians on student achievement.

He found that academic achievement was affected when: A professional library media specialist on site Collaboration occurred with teachers to create exciting learning experiences using the library media resources. The library media collection contained large amounts of quality print and multimedia materials.

Between 2000 and 2009, similar findings have been generated by studies in 17 other states confirming their ongoing relevance in the standards-based testing environment.

 professional and support personnel in the school library increases.  quality information streams from the library into classrooms and homes.  sustaining budgets keep the information- rich and environment current and of high quality.

 collaborate with teachers to create quality learning experiences using materials and technology.  are leaders in their schools.  teach information literacy.  promote reading.

The most recent Colorado Study, published in 2010, examined the impact of libraries and librarians on low-performing and high- performing students. It found that school libraries can be a very effective tool in closing the achievement gap.

“This study provides evidence that a strong school library program led by a certified and endorsed school librarian can reduce the achievement gap and address the needs of struggling students. This is exciting news for schools that are trying to identify strategies that work! “ Nancy White 21st Century Learning & Innovation Specialist

In 2000, James C. Baughman, Ph. D. published a study that also found a strong relationship between school libraries and student achievement. He found that mean test scores tend to be higher in schools with school library programs at all levels

Baughman also found that children from a lower socioeconomic level who have a school library obtain higher mean test scores than do similar children from schools that do not have such a program.

Elementary school libraries need…  hours of service, including before and after school.  strong library collections--per pupil book count, magazines, and non-print items.  high library expenditures per pupil.

Elementary school libraries also need…  library instruction and high student use.  alignment of the library collection with the curriculum frameworks.  robust staffing, including a full-time librarian, non-professional assistance, and parent volunteers.

Strong school library media programs and librarians make a difference! Achievement scores are likely to rise 10-20%!

An effective Library Media Specialist has several identifying roles:  Teacher  Instructional Partner  Information Specialist  Program Administrator Part of a strong library media program is having a strong library media specialist who is willing to take on a leadership role.

1. Meet regularly with the principal. 2. Attend all faculty meetings. 3. Serve on curriculum and standards committees. 4. Present professional development for teachers and librarians. 5. Engage in collaboration with teachers and the technology staff.

6. Meet with school library colleagues. 7. Visit other school libraries. 8. Link to initiatives that are implemented at school or in the district. 9. Give recognition to others for their successes. 10. Attend and participate in district, state, and national associations and conferences.

Today’s principal is the instructional leader of the school and sets the tone and expectations for teaching and learning. For the library program, a principal provides:  Financial support  Staffing support  Scheduling support  Verbal support

Across grade levels, better-performing schools also tended to be those whose principals valued:  collaboration between librarians and classroom teachers  flexible scheduling of library access  regular meetings between themselves and their librarians  having their librarians serve on key school committees

“The principal is a key player, perhaps the key player, in library media programs that make a difference.” - Gary Hartzell

Thank you for your continued support of our school library media center!

American Association of School Librarians (2009). Empowering learners: Guidelines for school library media programs. Chicago: American Library Association. Baughman, J. (2000, October). School libraries and MCAS scores. Retrieved March 15, 2012, from Church, A. (2009). The principal factor. School Library Journal. Retrieved March 18, 2012, from Church_May_June2009.pdf Francis, B.H., Lance, K.C., & Lietzau, Z. (2010). School Librarians Continue to Help Students Achieve Standards: The Third Colorado Study (2010). Retrieved March 12, 2012, from Lance, K.C., Rodney, M.J., & Russell, B. (2007). How students, teachers, and principals benefit from strong school libraries. Retrieved March 17, 2012, from Lance, K.C. & Loertscher, D. V. (2003). Powering achievement 2 nd edition: School library media programs make a difference. LMC Source. Retrieved March 15, 2012, from Nassar, N. (n/d). 10 easy leadership ideas to help school librarians become leaders on their campuses. Retrieved March 18, 2012, from School libraries work! [Research Foundation Paper]. (2008). Retrieved March 18, 2012, from Scholastic Research and Results website: Francis, B.H., Lance, K.C., & Lietzau, Z. (2010). School Librarians Continue to Help Students Achieve Standards: The Third Colorado Study (2010). Retrieved March 12, 2012, from