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The Many Faces of School Library Leadership
More than ever, it is vital that librarians demonstrate leadership skills that will reinforce their own value and that of their institutions. The Many Faces of School Library Leadership offers insights and practical suggestions for such leadership through 10 essays contributed by outstanding leaders in the field of school librarianship. The book covers leadership in curriculum and instruction, literacy, technology, intellectual freedom, staff development, and other equally critical areas. It discusses the breadth and depth of the leadership school librarians must provide to move the school library program forward, secure enhanced services for students and faculty, and improve student achievement. It offers insights into the many leadership roles embraced by accomplished practitioners and considers the research surrounding these best practices. The book ends with a powerful chapter by renowned visionary David Loertscher that is a call for change and renewal―and an inspirational reminder of the bottom-line purpose of the profession.
147 pages, Paperback
First published April 29, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 24, 2015
Another text book completely read! Yay me! I actually really enjoyed reading this one, and I learned a lot from it.
May 13, 2017
This is a book I read for my master's program. It is a series of essays on how librarians can be leaders in their schools. Some were interesting, others weren't as interesting. A good introduction into the different facets of librarianship in this day and age.
Introduction: Librarians role is changing and we must make our missions clear.
1: Librarians lead the school from the middle since we aren't administration. We must be competent, manage the trust of our colleagues by making sure they know where we stand and manage the image of the library. A very long chapter with a lot of terms and lists in it.
2: Creating a culture of inquiry. Learning isn't a spectator sport and libraries have to provide opportunities to collaborate, learn socially, and model the behaviors and attitudes they wish others to have.
3: Library advocacy. We must educate others and advocate for the profession. Friends of the library organizations are good, also professional organizations. Not enough people know the power and possibilities of the library. Ask patrons what they want to make sure you are matching the programs to the needs. "I go to the library to..." posters for students to fill out was a great idea.
4: Intellectual Freedom. Selection of materials is an important part of making materials available to patrons despite your biases or fear of trouble. No self-censorship allowed! Be prepared for challenges and have a policy in place to handle complaints. Other barriers might include limits on numbers checked out or age restrictions. Librarians MUST keep student choices confidential and gain trust or students won't feel free to research topics they want to. Students are citizens-in-training who need to be taught about intellectual freedom and their legal rights. Celebrate banned books week to gain support and attention for the cause.
5: Literacy leadership. Model and promote a love of reading. Do booktalks. Make sure your collection has something for every segment of the population so every reader has his or her book. You must become a literacy expert and keep up with the latest research in order to share with the other teachers on campus. Have programs that encourage more reading and writing among students. Expand your definition of literacy due to 21st century skills.
6: Librarian as curriculum leader. Map the curriculum to make sure the library has resources and supports the standards. Collaborate with content teachers to make lessons that are full of 21st century learning and inquiry.
7: Technology leadership. Must be proficient at teaching tech to the faculty. Keep up with the newest standards and be knowledgeable about new technologies and their usefulness in the classroom. Be an expert in keeping education in the educational technology!
8: Staff development. Often used as technology teachers for staff. Be prepared and really work on your presentation skills.
9: Professional associations. Get a mentor, be active in the field. Go to conferences, be involved in the legislative process.
10: Changing vision of libraries. Gaining information is a changing field. We cannot stop it, so we have to change our libraries to fit the new landscape. Learning commons is a new way to think.
Introduction: Librarians role is changing and we must make our missions clear.
1: Librarians lead the school from the middle since we aren't administration. We must be competent, manage the trust of our colleagues by making sure they know where we stand and manage the image of the library. A very long chapter with a lot of terms and lists in it.
2: Creating a culture of inquiry. Learning isn't a spectator sport and libraries have to provide opportunities to collaborate, learn socially, and model the behaviors and attitudes they wish others to have.
3: Library advocacy. We must educate others and advocate for the profession. Friends of the library organizations are good, also professional organizations. Not enough people know the power and possibilities of the library. Ask patrons what they want to make sure you are matching the programs to the needs. "I go to the library to..." posters for students to fill out was a great idea.
4: Intellectual Freedom. Selection of materials is an important part of making materials available to patrons despite your biases or fear of trouble. No self-censorship allowed! Be prepared for challenges and have a policy in place to handle complaints. Other barriers might include limits on numbers checked out or age restrictions. Librarians MUST keep student choices confidential and gain trust or students won't feel free to research topics they want to. Students are citizens-in-training who need to be taught about intellectual freedom and their legal rights. Celebrate banned books week to gain support and attention for the cause.
5: Literacy leadership. Model and promote a love of reading. Do booktalks. Make sure your collection has something for every segment of the population so every reader has his or her book. You must become a literacy expert and keep up with the latest research in order to share with the other teachers on campus. Have programs that encourage more reading and writing among students. Expand your definition of literacy due to 21st century skills.
6: Librarian as curriculum leader. Map the curriculum to make sure the library has resources and supports the standards. Collaborate with content teachers to make lessons that are full of 21st century learning and inquiry.
7: Technology leadership. Must be proficient at teaching tech to the faculty. Keep up with the newest standards and be knowledgeable about new technologies and their usefulness in the classroom. Be an expert in keeping education in the educational technology!
8: Staff development. Often used as technology teachers for staff. Be prepared and really work on your presentation skills.
9: Professional associations. Get a mentor, be active in the field. Go to conferences, be involved in the legislative process.
10: Changing vision of libraries. Gaining information is a changing field. We cannot stop it, so we have to change our libraries to fit the new landscape. Learning commons is a new way to think.
January 29, 2015
This was required reading for LIS 725 Curriculum & School Libraries. The best chapter by far was the Fontichario ("Pride and Prejudice and Technology Leadership")--in part because it spoke directly to the work that I currently do and also because because it was the most nuanced with respect to how 21st century leadership is most effective ("We're all in this together" + "Here's a toolkit"). The other chapters blended together: "be a leader" blah blah. The Loertscher chapter ("Shifting Our Vision for Our Future") came close to inspiring me; school librarians have to be open to change and to lean into the discomfort this adds to their ideal role as school leaders. It's hard not to see that in action and to yearn to do it myself, and I'm sorry to say that on the whole this book did not inspire me to pursue this field immediately and without reserve.
August 19, 2020
There is so much research, resources at the end of each chapter, and pieces of leadership to think about that it made my head spin, but all of the main categories were there.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews