Enhancing Teaching and Learning: A Leadership Guide for School Librarians

by Jean Donham, Chelsea Sims

Overview

Rapid change calls for informed leadership. The goal of Donham’s text has always been to help school library professionals make a difference in the educational experience and academic attainment of students in their schools. With the addition of new co-author Sims, a junior high school librarian, this newly revised fourth edition rises to the challenge with updates and enhancements that confirm its value as an important resource for both LIS students and current school librarians. Covering all aspects of the school system, including students, curriculum and instruction, principals, district administration, and the community, it demonstrates how to interact and collaborate in order to integrate the school library program throughout these environments. Inside, readers will find

• myriad real-world examples of issues in school librarianship and evidence-based practice;
• discussion of such urgent topics as the educational needs of the iGen (those born between 1995 and 2012), changing reading habits, the influence of the media, and news literacy and other issues related to the proliferation of fake news;
• updates which touch upon the new AASL Standards, inquiry-based learning, assessment, and library program evaluation;
• specific tactics for establishing the library program as an active player in teaching and learning;
• an overview of education-related technology such as course management systems, the virtual library, makerspaces, information presentation and data representation tools like ScreenCast and Google Maps, online home-school communication, and online student safety and privacy; and
• end-of-chapter discussion scenarios that explore opportunities for the practical application of concepts.

Reflecting changes—professional, theoretical, legal, and political—in both the library field and education, this new edition of a groundbreaking school library text will equip readers to be leaders at their schools and in their communities.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780838947227
Publisher:	American Library Association
Publication date:	03/30/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	449,731
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Jean Donham is a retired professor in the School Library Studies graduate program at the University of Northern Iowa. Previously, she was library director at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. Prior to her appointment there, she was a tenured member of the faculty in the School of Library and Information Science at the University of Iowa. She served as district coordinator for library and technology programs in the Iowa City Community School District for thirteen years. The author of numerous professional articles, Dr. Donham has been a presenter at international, national, regional, and state conferences. Active in the Iowa Association of School Librarians, she was the first recipient of that organization's Media Professional of the Year. In addition, she served as a member of the board for the American Association of School Librarians.

Chelsea Sims is a junior high school librarian in Iowa City, Iowa. Previously, she served as an elementary school librarian, and an instructional design strategist for innovation and technology. She began her career as a high school language arts and creative writing teacher. She is an active presenter at conferences locally and statewide and has served in various leadership roles within AASL and ALA affiliate organizations. She has contributed to Teacher Librarian and to V. H. Harada and S. Coatney's Inquiry and the Common Core: Librarians and Teachers Designing Teaching for Learning (2013). In 2018, Ms. Sims was named an AASL Social Media Superstar for Student Voice. She has a master’s degree in School Library Studies from the University of Northern Iowa.

Table of Contents

Cover Page Title Page Copyright Page Contents List of Figures Preface Acknowledgments Part I. The Context 1. Students Conditions of American Youth Students’ Need for Access The iGen Media Influence Motivation for Learning Leadership Strategies References Constructivism Disciplinary National Curriculum Standards MTSS The School Librarian’s Expertise Leadership Strategies Scenarios for Discussion References Standards for School Administrators Principal as Leader and Manager Librarian Characteristics Sought by Principals Evidence-Based Decision-Making Impact of the Principal on the School Library Program Leadership Strategies Scenarios for Discussion References Funding Personnel Curriculum Technology Board-Approved Policies Leadership Strategies Scenarios for Discussion References The Value of Community Involvement Family Involvement Public Library Connections Outreach to the Community Volunteers from the Community Leadership Strategies References Part II. The School Library Program The School Librarian as Collaborator Collaboration with Specialists Formal and Informal Collaboration Benefits of Collaboration Leadership Strategies Scenarios for Discussion References 7. Access for Learning and Teaching Student Access Circulation Policies Scheduling for Instruction Leadership Strategies References Purchased Resources Selection of Subscribed Resources Assessing the Collection Collection Maintenance Equipment Leadership Strategies References 9. Literacy The Purposes of Reading The Library Program and Reading Instruction Reading in the Library Curriculum Nurturing Readers Conclusion Scenarios for Discussion References The Library Website: Content The Library Website: Design Social Media Integrating the Virtual and Physical Libraries Evaluating the Virtual Library Leadership Strategies References Technology Planning The School Librarian’s Roles in Technology Leadership Leadership Strategies References Inquiry Inquiry Process Models Deep Learning Presenting Results Dispositions for Inquiry Using Information Technology as a Tool for Inquiry Authenticity in Inquiry Inquiry and College Readiness Media Literacy Conclusion Scenarios for Discussion References Assessment Defined Formative and Summative Assessment Self-Assessment Assessment Tools Conclusion Scenarios for Discussion References Continuous Improvement Leadership Strategies References Attributes of Leaders Influence, or “Leading from the Middle” Strategic Leadership Evidence-Based Practice Professional Leadership Responsibilities Leadership Strategies Scenarios for Discussion References About the Authors Index

Editorial Reviews

"[The authors] craft a masterful work in support of evidence-based approaches to inquiry-based learning, reading, intellectual freedom, and equity of access. Readers who follow their practical advice will undoubtedly become true leaders in their schools and communities ... This book is a 'must-read' for all school librarians who aspire to contribute as much as they can to students' success. Moreover, buy a second copy to give to your principal."

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