Professional Toolkit A

Created by:

Michele Linn

Contents

• Listserv Participation

• Professional Pathfinder

• School Library Websites: “Top Three Choices!”

• Notable Professionals: Let me introduce you to Ruth Small Ph. D.!

Listserv Participation Summary

Summary : Personal perspective on 7

week participation with the

LM_NET Listserv.

LM_NET Listserv : For the

school media specialist.

“Joining a Listserv within the

professional librarian community can

be most advantageous for the

individual seeking advice, requesting

assistance, obtaining and providing

information, and basically

communicating with colleagues like

oneself.” -Michele Linn

Professional Pathfinder

My Professional Pathfinder

“People of all ages need to develop their own systems for navigating and managing the information-rich

environment of today's world. Those who have the ability to find, evaluate,

and use information effectively achieve greater success.”-The Pathfinder Project

Pathfinders are not just for students anymore.

Professionals need resources too!

Three School Library Websites“Top Three Choices”

• Konawaena High School Virtual Library Librarian-Woody PlautLocation- Kealakekua, Hawaii

• Springfield Township High School Virtual Library

Librarian- Joyce Valenza

Location- Erdenheim, Pennsylvania

• Anderson High School Library

• East Side Middle School Library

Librarian- Vicki Builta

Location- Anderson, Indiana

Why is the Konawaena High School Virtual Library Website

One of the Best?

Follow Me!

“On the left sidebar, there are guidelines for general operations and usage of the library.  There are also sections for students

with tools, forms, and how-to directions for things you will need to produce high quality work.The teachers have a section

with webquests, grading rubrics as well as access points to implementing modern educational theory. 

For parents, there is a section which has reports that detail the academic successes the school has achieved both in state

and national indices.  In the center section, current events and school news is posted.  On the right sidebar is an

extensive index of categorized subjects of interest available for research, general knowledge, homework and just about

anything else you'd need to find out about. Don't forget our features section on the left sidebar, for a

daily (or weekly) jolt of brain busters.”-Woody Plaut 

Konawaena High School Virtual Library

Highlights!

Read Woody Plaut’s article titled,

“Virtual Libraries, Real Connections!” “The Konawaena High School

Virtual Library website I developed

strengthens the home/school

connection, is open 24/7, and is

accessible from any remote location

with an Internet connection,

demonstrating the epitome of

Outreach services. So, now the

entire world is my library media

center, and everyone is welcome!”

- Woody Plaut, Librarian

To:EveryoneFrom: Woody PlautSubject:Virtual Library ArticleBody: Read my article!

Let’s find out why Springfield Township High School

Virtual Library is One of the Best!

Follow Me!

Springfield Township Public High School Virtual Library

Who created this virtual high school library?

“I worked out the original plan with a student around 10 years ago and I

continue to have kids help me tweak it. My daughter Emily did theoriginal and the current image map. Each year I have focus groups giveme feedback relating to relevance, usefulness, and usability. I listen to

criticism and suggestions. I am currently working on including many 2.0

elements behind that image map.” –Joyce Valenza (Librarian)

Joyce Valenza receives award for virtual library!

IASL School Library Web Page of the Year Award, 2001

Springfield Virtual Library Highlights

• Interactive Image Library Map.

• Virtual Tour• Ask the Librarian• School Information• Reference Desk• Blogs, Wikis, for

faculty /students.• Online newsletter

• Teacher’s Resources

• Student’s Resources

• Databases

• Research Guide

• Games

• Pathfinders

• Noodle Tools

• Policies/ Mission

• District Information

And so much more!

Joyce Valenza’s expertise on Virtual Libraries!

•Cover story Classroom Connect, April 2005, Find Your Path: Making Research Easy with Virtual Libraries

•"The Virtual Library." Educational Leadership, December 2005, January 2006, 54-59

More Great Virtual Websites Reside at Anderson HS & ESMS!

Follow Me!

• Vicki Builta, Librarian, owns and maintains site.• Site also designed and coded by Patrick Caldwell and Chad Zook

.• Vicki creates Anderson’s virtual site by incorporating format

from her former school (ESMS), East Side Middle School Virtual Library.

“The middle school library Web site for East Side Middle Schoolwas named site of the month in a national publication and has been

used as an example of "best practice" in school library Web sitedevelopment.” -Vicki Builta

Anderson High School &

ESMS Virtual Library

Anderson HS & ESMS Virtual Library Highlights!

• Organized lay out.• Color Icons• Full calendar• Resources for every

subject.• Examples:

– Language Arts

– Mathematics

• Teacher Resources• Student Resources• Primary Resources• Pathfinders• Reference• List of new materials• A/V request form

Steps to an Exemplarily Virtual School Website!

• Your audience. Consider first what your audience needs — or what your audiences need, since you may serve more than one audience.

• Organization. Next, how can you best organize that content so that your users will be able to find it (and so that your site can grow with their needs)?

• Navigation. Once you’ve organized your content logically, you need to design your site’s navigation to reflect that logical organization. Main site navigation should be the same on every page of the site, and pages of content should provide “breadcrumbs” — links back to categories or major divisions of the site.

• Content. Finally, each page of the websiteshould be clearly written, well organized, and readable. Use headings so that readers can skim to find what they need. Break content up into manageable chunks, and make each major topic its own page.

-David Walbert, (Lead Web Designer/Developer) & Author of “Best Practices in School Library Website Design.”

Three Virtual Libraries are the Cream of the Crop!

• All three sites offer multiple resources for teachers, students, and parents. • All three sites are designed in an organized fashion.• All three designers of the virtual libraries, (the Librarians), consider other’s

advice, opinions, and ideas on what to incorporate into the sites.• All three sites are user friendly/easy to navigate.• All three sites are updated on a regular basis.• Social interaction takes place between students, teachers, and parents in the form

of blogs, wikis, and online communication with librarians.• All three sites offer links to outside resources such as public libraries, college

information, and community events.• School and district information is provided on all three sites. • All three sites offer unique features that others might not. For example, Joyce

Valenza created an image map that gives the patron a sense of being physically in the library. Woody Plaut’s site offers a “Parent Involvement Toolkit.” Vicki Builta’s site offers a misc. page with links covering health issues, games, sports, cooking, hobbies, pets, etc.

•

Why?My Reasons!

My Website Plan!

•Who am I building the site for? I will determine who my target audience is first and foremost.

Students: Elementary, middle, or high school…

Teachers, parents, administration, community…

•What are the needs of my patrons? Resources will be offered to students, teachers, parents, staff, and community in a precise and organized fashion. Content is key!

•Make it simple! Making the site simple allows for easy navigation, usability,and editing purposes by the patrons and media specialist. Vicki Builta’s site is clear, organized, and simple! Use the same font, no clutter, and arrange into categories w/ headings.

•I will make my site web accessible for all patrons. “Web accessibility means that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the Web, and that they can contribute to the Web. Web accessibility also benefits others, including older people with changing abilities due to aging.Web accessibility encompasses all disabilities that affect access to the Web, including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological disabilities” (David Walbert, Lead Web Designer/Developer & Author of “Best Practices in School Library Website Design”).

Wow! Can you read that font?

Content of My Website

• Library Information: About me, e-mail me, policies, guidelines, calendar, virtual tour, new materials, library clubs, online library newsletter.

• Student Resources: Online databases, reference desk, primary resources, pathfinders, links to all subjects, homework help, Ask the Librarian, blog.

• Teacher Resources: Lesson plans, curriculum, library time sign up form, online newsletter, Video/DVD rental form, rubrics, etc.

• Community Resources: Link to public library, local newspapers, TV stations, radio stations, & community events.

• Parental Resources: School policies, links for parental/child development, school events, school news, parental library workshops, library events, etc.

• Miscellaneous: Example: Daily quote, daily news story, recommended book list, games, etc. Not too many of these items because they may not be used and clutter the site.

Maintenance of Website

• Website will be maintained by myself, with assistance from my assistant, teachers, and students.

• I will create a link on the site for patrons to provide their opinions and ideas on improving the site. This can include editing, adding, or deleting items from the site.

• The virtual library website can only be a success if the patrons themselves are included in the creation and maintenance of the site. -Michele Linn

• Scheduled daily time will be provided to update the site. Note: This is necessary only if there is daily information that needs to be updated. Other wise the site will be updated weekly.

• Additionally, every two months a time will be scheduled to work on the site in depth. An announcement will be placed on the site and in newsletters at the beginning of the year. This could be a web site maintenance club.

• The meetings will take place before or after school and all patrons are welcome including parents, teachers, and students.

My “Example” Website!Welcome to Blue Bird Middle School Virtual Media Center

Student Resources Teacher Resources Parent Resources

Online Databases

Primary Resources

Student Blog

Homework Help!

Library Information

Lesson Plans

Curriculum

And more

Parental aides

School Information Calendar/EventsCommunity Links

And more

Notable Professional

Let me introduce you to

Ruth Small, PH.D.!

Ruth V. Small, PH.D.

• Laura J. and Douglas L. Professor at Syracuse University of New York.

• School of Information Studies, (IST's), Director of nationally-ranked school media program.

• Received her doctorate in instructional design, development and evaluation.

• Director of “Preparing Librarians for Urban Schools,” (PLUS) program, a distance learning program for library service in high need urban schools.

• Serves as the first director of Syracuse University’s Center for Digital Literacy http://digital-literacy.syr.edu, an interdisciplinary, collaborative research and development center partnering the School of Information Studies, School of Education, and S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

• Dr. Small also worked as a college administrator, high school principal, librarian, teacher, and instructional design and evaluation consultant.

• Ruth is President of SMALL Packages, a consulting business specializing in motivational design.

Ruth Small, PH.D. Research

Collaboration behaviors in virtual communitiesDigital literacyDistance learningDistributed collaborationInformation and educationInformation organizationInformation seeking behaviorInformation Studies EducationInformation system designInformation technologyInformation technology and developmentMetadataMotivationOrg. change; org. impacts of information tech.; new org. forms; coordination theory

Planning and evaluation of information resources and services

School library mediaUser behavior with information systems

Interview Process

Ruth Small was very cooperative and pleasant. I was surprised by herquick reply to my e-mail interview request, especially when one can see all of the responsibilities Dr. Small has. The interview itself was conducted via e-mail. Dr. Small has published numerous articles, headed several projects, and has worn multiple hats in her profession. Because of these factors, it was extremely difficult to narrow down a set of questions. I knew that I could not ask too many questions because of Dr. Small’s busy schedule, so I asked her what I felt was important to me in the field of librarianship. Additionally, I focused the questions around Dr. Small’s expertise and her projects and/or published articles.

The Interview with Ruth Small, PH.D.“My Questions”

1. I read several of your articles as well as reviewed your web page. I notice that one of your research interests delves in motivational presentations. Can you tell me how this peaked your interest? Why did you decide to

research this issue? Answer 2. I read your article titled," Having an IM-PACT on Information Literacy: A Model for Improving

Instructional Presentations." I enjoyed this article very much. My question concerns the technology role in instructional presentations. I noticed that you discussed incorporating some form of media into your presentation. Do you think incorporating technology, multimedia, etc., should be the norm or rather a required portion for instruction for the teacher or librarian? Do you believe that including technology into teaching aids the student's learning process? Answer

3. Question 2 has lead to this question about the "Center For Digital Literacy."  How did you come to be a part of this center? Did you develop the center?  What kinds of things do you personally do at the center?  Answer

4. I read where that you have been a part of or have developed several projects...one being, "New York State Impact Study." I have taken several courses on, “Information literacy in the classroom/ library setting, as well as technology in the classroom/library setting.” I read the excerpt from your New York Impact study. Could you tell me  briefly the results from this study? Have you seen any indications that educational professionals have begun to accept the media specialist/ librarian as an instructional partner?  Answer

5. Is there any indication in your study that the New York Schools realize the importance of the media specialist role with regards to the overall student learning process ?    Answer

 6. I come from a medium size Midwestern town roughly 20 miles from Notre Dame University. I noticed you also have a program called: Reinventing Urban School Libraries. Could you tell me a little about this program? Since this program is to prepare media specialist students to fill roles in the urban schools, is there any difference in the instructional process/program then rural or suburban school media specialist roles?  Answer

7. I would like to ask you how you feel about students being required to use technology, multimedia tools, etc., in their projects, course work, etc.? Do you think  requiring the student to, for example, perform a web quest, follow a pathfinder, create a power point presentation, etc. benefits the student learning process in the 21st century? If so, do you believe that the school media specialist can play a vital role in this form of lesson planning with the teacher, basically collaborating with each other?  Answer

Summary of InterviewQuestions 1-3

The first set of questions I asked in the interview focused on Dr. Small’s research on

motivational presentations, technology based instruction, her role in the Center for Digital

Literacy, and the progress of her “Impact Study.” It was enlightening to review Dr.

Small’s thoughts on all of these topics. These issues Dr. Small addresses as a

Professor, can easily surface in day-to-day activities of the teacher librarian. For example,

motivational presentations are a crucial element to include in instructional planning as a

teacher librarian. “Through the use of technology, teacher librarians have a wealth of

powerful information and communication tools available” (Eduscapes). Thus, Dr. Small

states emphatically that the teacher librarian should only incorporate technology in the

instructional role if it enhances the student learning process.

Dr. Small also discussed her role at the Center for Digital Literacy. I was greatly impressed

by this center. I was amazed that Dr. Small founded this center amidst all of the other

functions she performs. It reminds me that as a teacher librarian one must wear several hats

and pave new avenues in his or her area of interest and expertise. Evolving as a

professional by joining listservs, attending conferences, professionally e-communicating,

and becoming a research advocate can move up the ladder to a notable professional like Dr. Small.

“The teacher librarian must be an active professional” (Eduscapes).

Summary of InterviewQuestions 4-7

• Questions 4 & 5 focused on studies Dr. Small was conducting on the librarian as a teacher. Dr. Small could not share the results with me because the results were not completely finished yet. Even so, I realized that the studies Dr. Small was conducting is something that librarians could do as well. It is crucial that librarians evaluate their own program in order to progress as professionals. Studies and surveys are one way to do this. “Effective management of human, financial, and physical resources under girds a strong library media program” (Information Power, Principle 10).

• Question 6 concerned another program Dr. Small oversees. This program instructs the student librarian in urban areas. Dr. Small states that classes focus more on reading and community outreach. After reviewing this program, I feel that understanding your community and patrons is necessary for a successful media school program. “The library media specialist must develop collaborative relationships with the local community” (Eduscapes). Additionally, “The library media program is an essential link to the larger learning community” (Information Power, Principle 10).

• Question 7 revisited the issues of technology as well as collaboration with teachers. Dr. Small answered this question by stating that “teacher librarian,” is the new preferred title her “library of science” students wish to be referred as in the future. I believe Dr. Small and her students are accurate in this assumption. The librarian of today must evolve into the teacher librarian, not only to survive in the future but to create a successful media program. Librarians must establish evidence-based data to prove the success of their program. In order to do this, the librarian must wear the teacher hat, media specialist hat, librarian hat, and a multitude of secondary hats. Eduscapes authors emphasizes the importance of the role of the teacher librarian through three initiatives. These are collaboration, leadership, and technology (Eduscapes). Dr. Small stressed that collaboration is indeed vital to the teacher librarian!

Resources

• ALA & AECT. (1998) Information power: Building partnerships for learning. Chicago:American Library Association.

• Lamb, Dr. Annette and Dr. Larry Johnson. "Budget Planning:" The School Media Specialist. Eduscapes. http://www.eduscapes.com/sms/index.html Accessed November 11, 2007.

• Plaut, Woody.c 2006. “Virtual Libraries, Real Connections.” A Cable Classrom Connection. http://www.k12.hi.us/~konawahs/Virtual%20Libraries%20Real%20Connections.pdf Accessed Nov. 11, 2007.

Specials Thanks to:Vicki BuiltaWoody Plaut

Ruth Small, Ph.D.Joyce Valenza Ph.D. 

Stay Tuned for Toolkit B coming to Presentations near you!