LibGuides: Libraries Transform: The Expert in the School Library: Communicate Your Expertise

Communicate your Expertise with Targeted Content

School Librarians work with different stakeholders who need to understand the importance of school libraries in different ways.

Parents need to know that their students are gaining improved literacy skills, learning to love learning, and are discovering the importance of critical thinking.
Students need to know that the librarian will help them find what they need, whether it is pleasure reading or academic content - or even just information about which they are curious.
Teachers are interested in how school library services benefits their classroom curricula.
Principals and District Administrators need data and research that explains how libraries impact student achievement in positive ways.
Legislators, Policymakers and the broader Community also need data and research, but may also need to better understand what the librarian and library program actually do on a campus.

This article speaks to everyone:

Stripling, Barbara K. "I’m an Expert”: School Libraries Build Enthusiastic Learners." American Libraries Digital Supplement, "School Libraries Transform", Sept.-Oct. 2014, pp. 4-5.

Here are additional targeted resources for each audience, live linked.

Hansen, Sidra. “Student Article: Not Just a Room with Books.'” Library Media Tech Talk, 14 Jan. 2015. The author was a student at Lakeside High School, Hot Springs AR.
"NJASL School Libraries Video." YouTube, uploaded by New Jersey Association of School Librarians, 27 Sept. 2012, . Also posted to http://www.ilovelibraries.org/school-libraries/why-are-school-libraries-essential with additional supporting information.
Doug Johnson blog post: "School Libraries - A Student Right" The Blue Skunk Blog, July 4, 2013. "All students have the right to a well-staffed, well-stocked, and up-to-date physical and virtual school library that..."

Texas Association of School Librarians. Educating a Child in 2017: Parents & School Librarians Partnering for Student Success. Texas Library Association, 2017.
Owen, Wendy. Beaverton parent pushes for the return of strong school libraries. Oregon Live in the Oregonian, 13 Dec. 2014.
Kachel, Debra. "Who should teach our kids the difference between real and fake news? Our librarians." Penn Live, PA Media Group, 10 Feb. 2017.
Students Learn Better When Schools Keep Libraries. The TakeAway, WNYC/WGBH, 15 July 2015. A radio interview with Sara Kelly Johnsinspired in response to Debra Kachel's - listed next.piece about the losses of school libraries across the country.
Kachel, Debra. "The Calamity of Disappearing School Libraries." The Conversation US. 13 July 2015. The interview opens with a few great listener quotes on how the campus library was important to their maturation, and follows with Kelly Johns furthering the awareness of the good that comes from strong school libraries.

More resources can be found on the web page Information for Parents and Students about School Libraries in HISD, which is frequently updated.

More resources can be found on the web page Information for Principals & Administrators of HISD, which is frequently updated.

Texas Association of School Librarians. Educating a Child in 2017: Teachers & School Librarians Partnering for Student Success Texas Library Association, 2017.
Barack, Lauren. “Study Ties College Success to Students’ Exposure to a High School Librarian.” The Digital Shift, School Library Journal, 19 Sept. 2014.
Hutchinson, Elizabeth. "Why Do Teachers Need School Librarians? 5 Questions to Ask Yourself." Libraries, Schools, Social Media and Lots More..., 7 Nov. 2017.
Kobayashi, Jill. “Top Ten Things Your Librarian Can Do For You.” EveryLibrary, Facebook, 1 Aug. 1 2016. An infographic posted by Tiffany Whitehead.
Moran, Mark. "A “To Be” List for School Librarians." SweetSearch 2Day, 9 Nov. 2017.
Phillips, Georgia, editor. "To Teachers." Teachers Connecting with Teacher Librarians, Hub: Campaign for Quality School Libraries in Australia, July 19, 2015.

More resources can be found on the web page Information for Teachers about School Libraries in HISD, which is frequently updated.

Church, Audrey. "If You Invite a Legislator to the Library…." KQ, AASL, 17 Mar. 2017.
Church, Audrey. "The Instructional Role of the Library Media Specialist as Perceived by Elementary School Principals." School Library Research, AASL, vol. 11, July 2008.
Church, Audrey. "School Librarians as Learning Leadrs: An Administrator's Guide." ALA, 2017. Infographic.
Church, Audrey. "Secondary School Principals’ Perceptions of the School Librarian’s Instructional Role" School Library Research (AASL), vol. 13, Oct. 2010.
Krashen, Stephen. "Credentialed school librarians: What the research says." Letter. Sent to the Chicago Tribune, Sept 4, 2017. Original article: Information literacy lost: Most CPS schools no longer have librarians
Krashen, Stephen. "Letter: Libraries and librarians: What does the research say?" Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2017. Response to Weller Commentary, March 29.
Littman, Sarah Darer. "Opinion: Dear Congressman, Research Shows Closing School Libraries and Cutting Certified Librarians Does Not Make Sense." School Library Journal, 23 July 2014.
Moreillon, Judi. "Judi Moreillon: Missing School Librarians Means Lost Literacy Learning." Arizona Daily Star - Tucson, 3 Nov. 2017.
Weller, Sam. "Commentary: Without school librarians, we're on a dystopian path." Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2017.

More resources can be found on the web page Information for Policymakers about School Libraries in HISD , which is frequently updated.