GUIDELINES FOR LIBRARY MEDIA PROGRAMS IN LOUISIANA SCHOOLS May 2020 CONTENTS Guidelines for Library Media Programs in Louisiana Schools ............................................................1 Recommended Staffing Guidelines .......................10 Louisiana Student Library Guidelines ...................11 Acknowledgments ....................................................... 30 Resources for Further Information ........................ 31 GUIDELINES FOR LIBRARY MEDIA PROGRAMS IN LOUISIANA SCHOOLS Research studies provide strong evidence that student achievement is significantly higher in schools where a strong library program exists.1 According to the American Association of School Librarians (AASL),2 the best measure of effectiveness of a school library program is the extent of its impact on student learning. Scholastic released the 2016 edition of School Libraries Work! A Compendium of Research Supporting the Effectiveness of School Libraries. In this document it is stated, “The major themes supported by the research highlighted in this report confirm that: a credentialed school librarian, collaboration and co-teaching, technology access, and collection size all elevate student learning.”3 Therefore, comprehensive school library programs have a positive impact on student learning when: 1. Staffed with certified school librarians. 2. The librarian co-teaches and collaborates with other teachers. 3. Library patrons are able to access up-to-date technology. 4. The level of library expenditures provides a quality collection of books and electronic information resources selected to support the school’s curricula. 5. The library collection is expansive, diverse, and easily accessed by library patrons. The purpose of this document is to set forth guidelines of excellence for school library programs in Louisiana by focusing on the role of the school librarian as an active partner in the teaching and learning process. These guidelines provide a blueprint for Louisiana schools and districts to use in planning and implementing an effective library program.4 ORGANIZATION This document is in two sections: Section One: Describes each of the five goals listed above. Each goal also includes guidelines for school librarians to follow and resources for school librarians to use to develop effective school library programs. School librarians should read this section, evaluate how well their current school library program meets the guidelines, and regularly engage in library programming to ensure the guidelines are met for each goal. Section Two: Appendix of tools and resources school librarians can use to ensure their school library programs meet the goals of an effective school library program. 1 A 2011 study by the School Library Journal found a direct correlation between the school librarian and 4th grade reading test scores. Similarly, a 2012 study found that states which lost library positions experienced either a decrease in test scores or smaller increases compared to states that gained librarians. Additionally, a 2012 study in Pennsylvania showed that minority students, students with low socioeconomic status, and students with disabilities benefit more from a library-rich environment when compared to the general student population. 2 The philosophy of these guidelines is based on the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) June 2016 position statement, Definition of an Effective School Library Program. 3 School Libraries Work! A Compendium of Research Supporting the Effectiveness of School Libraries 4 The guidelines include herein are for local education agencies providing an effective library program. Compliance is not required for either school approval or funding. State minimum requirements for school library programs are located in §1705 of Bulletin 741: Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators. 1 School library programs positively impact student learning when staffed with certified school librarians. INTRODUCTION The school librarian has traditionally held the role of information expert. Living and learning in the 21st century provides unique and exciting challenges for educators and students. The exponential increase in digital media and technology, as well as the demand to provide educational opportunities for students to inquire freely, think creatively, and collaborate effectively, have propelled school librarians into a leadership role in the school community. GUIDELINES The library is staffed by one or more certified school librarians and support staff in accordance withrecommended staffing guidelines. • Library program staffing meets state personnel guidelines. • The librarian is certified as a school librarian in Louisiana. The librarian, at least other year, leads a program review, with the assistance of a committee of school library stakeholders to develop a long-range strategic plan for improvement with specific short-range goals. • The school librarian uses the guidelines and tools in this document to assess the quality of the library program and identify areas in need of improvement. • The school librarian works with school and district administrators to develop and apply other assessment criteria for the library program, such as the Librarian Observation Rubric. RESOURCES Recommended Staffing Guidelines Librarian Observation Rubric 2 School library programs positively impact student learning when the librarian co-teaches and collaborates with other teachers. INTRODUCTION The library is at the heart of a learning community. It provides resources, programs, learning opportunities, and support for the academic and personal interests of students. The primary purpose of a school library program is to help students and staff develop the ability to use ideas and information effectively while encouraging them to think critically, research skillfully, use information ethically, and read enthusiastically. To achieve this purpose, the school librarian is an active partner with administrators, faculty, students, families, and members of the community in nurturing students in all aspects of their development. Additionally, the school librarian: • Designs student learning activities that support state academic standards and the school curricula. • Offers resources and provides learning experiences that fill in gaps in curricula and address thestudent library guidelines to build students’ digital and information literacy skills so they develop into skilled and discriminating users and producers of information. • Models and promotes collaborative planning, teaching, and curriculum development. • Supports learning with a comprehensive instructional program utilizing information resources and technologies. • Prepares all students for lifelong learning. The school librarian has a vested interest in improving student learning. Since school librarians typically do not assign grades to students, their concerns focus on the learning process the student follows. For example, when students are assigned to research a topic, the teacher will likely evaluate the final product while the librarian is concerned that the project provides an opportunity for students to use their information literacy skills. Through planning and working with the teacher, the librarian determines the needed lessons and helps design assessments that determine improvement in students’ skills. Although it is neither possible nor appropriate to assess every library-related activity, some form of process assessment is desirable to inform the teacher, librarian, and the students about their progress in achieving the desired outcomes. These formative assessments promote growth by monitoring students’ progress, keeping students focused on goals, and helping the librarian and/or teacher to improve instruction. 3 GUIDELINES The library program includes collaborative planning and co-teaching and integrates information resources as well as other literacies and technology instruction into the curriculum. • The school librarian consistently collaborates with teachers to plan instructional activities that integrate information literacy skills and resources into the curriculum. • The school librarian collaborates with administrators, teachers, and members of the learning community by developing plans and goals for improving student achievement. • Library instructional activities are collaboratively planned and jointly implemented by the school librarian and teacher(s). • Lesson planning and implementation are documented with schedules or calendars, which demonstrate strong links between the classroom curriculum and library instruction. • Grade-level appropriate information literacy skills are taught and applied across the curriculum. The library program accommodates all students’ need to read, view, listen, and communicate individually and collaboratively, using resources for ideas, information, and personal development. • The school librarian incorporates a variety of instructional strategies and methods that address the diverse learning needs of students and other members of the learning community, in mastering the concepts of information literacy and the use of information resources and technology. • Students utilize information resources in all formats when conducting research. The library program fosters individual and collaborative inquiry in preparing students to be critical thinkers and competent problem- solvers who are able to draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge while becoming lifelong