Libraries & Equity: An Advocacy Presentation for PA School Libraries

All Pennsylvania students deserve an equitable education

Every student deserves the services of an on-site licensed library media specialist.

but . . .

our school library programs are

a tale of inequity

Students and teachers without the services of a qualified library media specialist,

without a funded library program . . .

Rpongsaj. “Locked Doors.”4 Nov. 2006. Flickr Creative Commons Pool. 19 Mar. 2008. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/pong/288223209/>.

are at a significant disadvantage.

They are less likely to learn and practice 21st century skills of information and technology literacy,

to understand the importance of digital citizenship in today’s world.

Professional school librarians . . .

build developmentally appropriate collections of reading and research materials

that promote life-long learning and love of reading

Collections look different these days.

collection

BLOGSWIKIBOOKS e-books

RSS feeds

Streamed media

databases

audiobooks

online survey tools

web portalsbooks

search engines

magazines

newspapers

Professional school librarians . . .

collaboratively plan, teach and assess with classroom teachers

Professional school librarians . . .

teach critical information and communication skills necessary for academic and business success.

Professional school librarians . . .

help teachers integrate relevant information and communication technologies into lessons.

Professional school librarians . . .

promote use of high quality print and electronic resources.

including our state-funded databases:

Professional school librarians . . .

promote independent reading,

the best in children’s and young adult literature.

Independent reading is critical.

You become a reader because . . .

someone led you to the world of books even before you could read,

let you taste the magic of stories, took you to the library, and allowed you to stay up later at night to read in bed.

Jim Trelease, author The Read Aloud

Handbook

Unlike public libraries:

“School libraries help teachers teach and children learn.”

First Lady, and former school librarian, Laura Bush

Professional school librarians . . .

work with school leaders and administrators to leverage technology investments,

work to level the playing field, promote equity, help to reduce the achievement gap.

But . . .

The average age of books in local school librariesis 25 years.

(Berks, Bucks, Beaver, and Luzerne regional survey. Follett, 2007)

Edwards, Ali. “Books.” 12 June 2006. FlickrCreative Commons Pool. 28 Mar. 2008.

<http://www.flickr.com/photos/aliedwards/543067160/>.

Nearly 40% of all PA public schools are without a librarian and school library.

(estimated 2006-07 data, there are 3,568 public schools and 2,248 school librarians)

In Philadelphia, more than 75% of the city’s 265 public schools do not have alibrarian or a library.

Will you endorse this

when evidence shows

For 3 tested grades, the relationship between staffing and PSSA reading scores is positive and statistically significant.

Measuring Up to Standards. (c2000) Study of PA School Libraries. <http://www.statelibrary.state.pa.us/libraries/lib/libraries/measuringup.pdf>.

Three out of five elementaryschools with adequate library staff (61%) reported averageor above-average reading scores.

readingscores

Measuring Up to Standards. (c2000) Study of PA School Libraries. <http://www.statelibrary.state.pa.us/libraries/lib/libraries/measuringup.pdf>.

The same proportion of schools without adequate staffing reported below-average scores.

readingscores

Measuring Up to Standards. (c2000) Study of PA School Libraries. <http://www.statelibrary.state.pa.us/libraries/lib/libraries/measuringup.pdf>.

PA middle schools with the best PSSA reading scores spend twice as much on their school libraries as the lowest scoring schools.

More than 18 studies, replicated in states across the country . . .

Library Research Service<http://lrs.org>.

show student achievement increases an average of 10%-20%

when school library media centers are staffed with certified school librarians.

In Washington State

three moms,

concerned about reductions in school library programs,

successfully lobbied state legislators for $4 million in emergency bridge funding.

“Spokane Moms.”1 Feb. 2008. ALA Fund Our Future Flickr Group.24 Mar. 2008. <http:// www.flickr.com/photos/ala_members/sets/72157603853026097/ >.

They continue to lobby to ensure students across the

state have library programs

and certified librarians.

The Washington State legislature is rethinking

the meaning of the phrase

basic education.

How do library media specialists make a difference?

Media specialists introduce resources and teach students and teachers how to best use them.

Among those resources—our state databases!

Media specialists organize the Web for their learning communities.

Media specialists teach literacy:

traditional literacy

information literacy

media literacy

digital literacy

Media specialists ensure equity:

access for all students:

access to information

in all its formats

access to technology

access to skills

Library media specialists teach learners to . . .

inquire, think critically,

gain knowledge

research inquire

develop a thesis

take a stand

organize

analyze synthesizequestion

apply their learning

debate

evaluate information

biasrelevance

timelinessauthority

points of view

credentials

In new information formats

purpose

draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply

knowledge, create new knowledge

share knowledge, participate ethically &

productively

collaborate and createtraditional papers

blogpodcast

streamed videoconcept map

digital storytelling

public service announcements

student-produced digital instruction

present

demonstrate information ethics

documentationdigital citizenship

Creative Commonssafety

respect for intellectual property

academic integrity

intellectual freedom

pursue personal & aesthetic growth

independent reading

viewing

listening

author visitsschool-wide reading initiatives

poetry slams

galleries of student work

video book trailers

collections that meet needs of all learners

book fairs

review blogs

podcast reviews

book clubs

booktalks

Media specialists are working to ensure the success of the Governor’s CFF technology initiative.

NO EXTRA FUNDING REQUIRED!

Many media specialists are actively involved CFF partners.

Others can be partners with some professional development.

But, what happened to PDE’s School Library Services Division?

at a time we need it most?

Research shows that the highest achieving students attend schools with

good library media centers.

The library media specialist builds age & developmentally appropriate collections

in all media formats

for all learners

The media specialist

collaborates in teaching and integrating information and technology literacy standards

and develops learning activities that improve student achievement.

School libraries are not just a nice extra.

School libraries are a core service.

All students deserve an equitable education.

Every Pennsylvania student deserves the services of an on-site licensed library media specialist.

The learners of our state need your support.

They need your action.

Nationwide data available at:Library Research Service Research and Statistics About Libraries,"Impact Studies." http://www.lrs.org/impact.asp

Other statistics available from the American Library Association: http://ala.org/ala/issues/issuesadvocacy.cfm

Thanks to Doug Johnson and the librarians of MEMO for their advocacy ideas.

Thanks to Deb Kachel, Mansfield University, for local statistics.

For more information on the Spokane Moms http://www.fundourfuturewashington.org/

Music

Camp, Manolo. “Medieval.” 24 Mar. 2008. <http://www.manolocamp.net/music/mp3/Manolo%20Camp

%20-%20Medieval.mp3>.

Prepared by Joyce Kasman Valenza, April 2008.