Closing the Gap NCSLMA November 5, 2010 Dr. Anthony Chow, UNCG
Dr. Linda Gann, UNCG Kristi Allred, UNCG
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Overview Why this research? What gap? Review of the literature
Closing the gap November 5, 20102 of 36NCSLMA 2010 Annual
Conference
Slide 3
Why this research? November 5, 20103 of 36NCSLMA 2010 Annual
Conference
Slide 4
What Gap? The difference between what research states as best
practices for school library programs and what actually occurs in
the field November 5, 20104 of 36NCSLMA 2010 Annual Conference
Slide 5
Important Research Studies Keith Curry Lances impact studies
School libraries do have a positive impact on student achievement
Replicated in numerous states November 5, 20105 of 36NCSLMA 2010
Annual Conference
Slide 6
Important Research Studies Stephen Krashens The Power of
Reading: Insights from the Research Students who have access to
more reading materials particularly on subjects that interest them
are more likely to read voluntarily, read in greater volume, read
more often, and score better on achievement tests. November 5,
20106 of 36NCSLMA 2010 Annual Conference
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Best Practices Adequate staffing Large and varied collection
Flexible access/flexible schedule Collaboration Leadership Advocacy
Communication with the principal November 5, 20107 of 36NCSLMA 2010
Annual Conference
Slide 8
Support from Principal the principal is the key factor in
developing an effective and integrated school library program. Ken
Haycock November 5, 20108 of 36NCSLMA 2010 Annual Conference
Slide 9
The Gap Many principals believe school libraries are important
but do not see the direct link between libraries and student
achievement (Lau, 2002). Many principals do not make connection
between educational theory and the school library (Veltze, 1992).
Principals admit they need more information about school libraries
in their educational leadership courses (Wilson and Blake, 1993).
November 5, 20109 of 36NCSLMA 2010 Annual Conference
Slide 10
Why the gap? 1. Perceptions from previous school experiences 2.
Lack of education in principal training programs 3. Isolation of
school librarians 4. Lack of communication between school librarian
and principal (Hartzell, 1997; Hartzell, 2002; Roberson, Applin and
Schweinle, 2005) 5. Systemic problem, systemic solutions - lack of
strategic alignment between school and library goals (Chow, Mui,
& Gavin, 2008) November 5, 201010 of 36NCSLMA 2010 Annual
Conference
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Organizational Elements Model (Kaufman, 2006) MACRO MICRO
PROCESS Student achievement Student success Teachers Students
Librarians Principal Library Classrooms Technology Classes Fixed
Sched. Flexible Sched. AR November 5, 201011 of 36NCSLMA 2010
Annual Conference
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Organizational Elements Model (Kaufman, 2006) MACRO Student
achievement Student success Students Teachers Administrat ion
Library November 5, 201012 of 36NCSLMA 2010 Annual Conference Is
everyone on the same page?
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Organizational Elements Model (Kaufman, 2006) MACRO Student
achievement Student success Students Teachers Library Administrat
ion November 5, 201013 of 36NCSLMA 2010 Annual Conference Get
everyone on the same page?
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Norms of Group Development (Tuckman, 1965) Forming Group gets
to know each others strengths and weaknesses Storming Conflict
representing differing views and values Norming Conflict is
resolved through norming process of understanding how to work
together. Performing Team works together emphasizing strengths not
weaknesses, similarities not differences. Source: University of
Queenlsand Website November 5, 201014 of 36NCSLMA 2010 Annual
Conference
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Closing the gap: #1 Align library goals with stakeholders
November 5, 201015 of 36NCSLMA 2010 Annual Conference
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How do you ensure your goals are in line with your
stakeholders? November 5, 201016 of 36NCSLMA 2010 Annual
Conference
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Things you can do. Develop a strategic plan with a few
strategic goals for the year: Involve school stakeholders students,
administration, teachers, and parents. Ask, how can I help you
achieve your goals? Build on existing goals students, teachers, and
administrators already have. Add some of your own! Identify best
practices as resources you seek Developing a strategic plan
(Lyddon, 1999) Developing a strategic plan November 5, 201017 of
36NCSLMA 2010 Annual Conference
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Bottom line You have to STORM To NORM To PERFORM November 5,
201018 of 36NCSLMA 2010 Annual Conference
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Closing the gap: #2 COMMUNICATE! November 5, 201019 of 36NCSLMA
2010 Annual Conference
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How do you communicate with your principal? November 5, 201020
of 36NCSLMA 2010 Annual Conference
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Annual Reports Librarians who submit annual reports are rated
higher by their principals. Library statistics Budget proposals Is
the library meeting students and teachers needs? Alignment with
school goals Highlight the years (or months) best practices Annual
report template (Baule and Bertani, 2000; Edwards, 1989; Harvey,
2008) November 5, 201021 of 36NCSLMA 2010 Annual Conference
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Annual Reports - Examples Annual report template
http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/school-
librarians/reqandsupp/anrpt/view
http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/school-
librarians/reqandsupp/anrpt/view Other examples November 5, 201022
of 36NCSLMA 2010 Annual Conference
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Regular Meetings Deliver reports Maintain continuous
conversation Weekly, bimonthly, or monthly Considered important by
librarian and principal (Wilson and Lyders, 2001) November 5,
201023 of 36NCSLMA 2010 Annual Conference
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Newsletters Print and electronic Showcase people, not just
statistics Specific collaborative efforts Pictures Quotes from
students Encourage participation (Baule and Bertani, 2008; Harvey,
2008; McGriff et al., 2004) November 5, 201024 of 36NCSLMA 2010
Annual Conference
Slide 25
Newsletters - Examples School Library Link
http://www.theschoollibrarylink.com/ Other examples November 5,
201025 of 36NCSLMA 2010 Annual Conference
Slide 26
Hallway Conversations Informal Information standards How
library fits into instructional programs Available resources
Collaboration opportunities (Harvey, 2008; Wilson and MacNeil,
1998) November 5, 201026 of 36NCSLMA 2010 Annual Conference
Slide 27
Invitations to the Media Center Special events (author visits,
reading promotion activities) New technologies Collaborative
efforts Day-to-day events Showcase the full range of what you do in
the school library (Baule and Bertani, 2000; Brisco, 2003; Harvey,
2008; Wilson and Lyders, 2001) November 5, 201027 of 36NCSLMA 2010
Annual Conference
Slide 28
What to communicate to the principal? November 5, 201028 of
36NCSLMA 2010 Annual Conference
Slide 29
What to communicate? Common library data Circulation statistics
Collection statistics Patron usage statistics
Number-of-classes-in-the-library statistics What kind of images do
these numbers reinforce? November 5, 201029 of 36NCSLMA 2010 Annual
Conference
Slide 30
What to communicate? Evidence (data) that shows The differences
you and your school library make in relation to student learning
outcomes Evidence-based practice National data and local data from
your library Key points to remember Student achievement is the
bottom line. The school librarian is first and foremost a teacher
who works with students to increase learning. Whenever possible,
use student and teacher voices. November 5, 201030 of 36NCSLMA 2010
Annual Conference
Slide 31
Communication brings results! When the research is shared with
principals and teachers Improved relationship with principal and
teachers 69% (principals); 66% (teachers) More time spent by school
librarian in collaborative planning and teaching 63% More computer
access and larger collections 48% More classes visit their school
library more frequently 40% Changes from fixed to flexible
scheduling 39% -- Library Research Service, May 2005 Responses from
501 individuals in 36 states November 5, 201031 of 36NCSLMA 2010
Annual Conference
Slide 32
Other Resources IMPACT videos
http://www.ncwiseowl.org/Impact/videos.htm School Libraries Work!
(Scholastic)
http://listbuilder.scholastic.com/content/stores/LibraryStor
e/pages/images/SLW3.pdf
http://listbuilder.scholastic.com/content/stores/LibraryStor
e/pages/images/SLW3.pdf Library Research Service
http://www.lrs.org/impact.php November 5, 201032 of 36NCSLMA 2010
Annual Conference
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Principals are busy; stay on their radar! November 5, 201033 of
36NCSLMA 2010 Annual Conference
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Future Research Laura Bush Grant Proposal December 2011 1.
Courses for pre-service administrators and teachers 2. Strategic
planning and mentoring pilot 3. Statewide survey regarding current
school library climates Article summarizing our findings thus far
November 5, 201034 of 36NCSLMA 2010 Annual Conference
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Questions? November 5, 201035 of 36NCSLMA 2010 Annual
Conference
Slide 36
Contact Anthony Chow UNCG, LIS department
[email protected]@uncg.edu, School Librarian SurveySchool
Librarian Survey Linda Gann UNCG, LIS department [email protected]
Kristi Allred, UNCG, LIS student; Walkertown Middle School 8 th
grade ELA teacher [email protected] November 5, 201036 of 36NCSLMA
2010 Annual Conference