Leveraging School Libraries Description

Formerly titled "School Library Advocacy for Administrators."

Initiated with federal grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services

Description & Syllabus

Course Objectives

School administrators will become conversant about the research that correlates higher academic achievement of students with components of quality school library programs. Knowing this body of literature makes them strong library advocates with school leaders, parents, and the community. Administrators will also learn how to facilitate collaborative unit planning incorporating information literacy skills among teachers and the librarian. Understanding the standards and guidelines for resources and flexible access to them will help administrators to assess needs, set goals, and evaluate the school library program. The final project and action plan will be created for use in the administrators school or district; thus, resulting in practical, useful tools to improve the local school library program.

Specific objectives for each mod are listed on the Syllabus.

Four Weekly Online Modules

Module	Content
Mod 1	The School Library & Academic Achievement
	Research studies Factors of a quality school library program The purpose & mission of the school library The four roles of the library media specialist
Mod 2	Information Literacy & Academic Standards
	What is information literacy? Using an information problem-solving process model Connecting info literacy & state academic standards Collaboration among teachers & the librarian
Mod 3	The Library Collection & Flexible Access
	How the library resources support the curriculum Establishing a reading habit among students Guidelines for a quality library collection Scheduling library instructional activities
Mod 4	Revitalization & Evaluation of the Library Program
	Staffing of the school library program Recruitment, mentoring, retaining library media specialists Observing and evaluating the librarian and the program Documenting instructional activities with the library