The school media center has so much to offer students and staff. Resources found here can truly help improve student performance. Research study after research study have proven that schools with media centers and qualified media coordinators have better test scores than those that do not. However, many times the deep well of resources available in the library are just not known by its stakeholders. This means that a major job of the school media coordinator is to be an advocate for their library, to publicize its merit and offerings. In fact, the AASL standards for media coordinators requires us to be able to articulate the role and relationship of the school library program's impact on student academic achievement within the context of current educational initiatives. We must be able to utilize evidence-based practice and information from education and library research, and communicate ways in which the library program can enhance school improvement efforts. We must advocate for strong school library programs by designing and leading professional development opportunities that clearly articulate the impact of a school library program's resources, services and programming on student academic achievement. According to Hand (2008), "Constant advocacy for integration of library and information resources in classroom plans must remain a core focus for all of us school library professionals” (p. 27). Morris (2004) emphasized "the best way to reach teachers is to give them the personalized attention and professional concern that will aid them in preparing, organizing, and presenting instructional programs...providing the collaborative support that will help them to become better teachers” (p. 127).
In essence, we must "toot our own horn". We must be vocal advocates and strong leaders in our schools. We, as media coordinators have so much to offer, we should not keep it to ourselves.
Hand, D. (2008). What can teacher-librarians do to promote their work and the school library media program? Keep everyone in the loop: Constant advocacy. Teacher Librarian, 36 (2), 26-7.
Morris, B. J. (2004). Administering the school library media center. Westport, CT:
Libraries Unlimited.
Great points! Not only do we need to toot our own horns to encourage teachers and students to investigate all the great things in the library/media center, but we also need to make it as user friendly as possible. The easier it is to locate items, the more those items will be used!
ReplyDeleteFor some of us it is hard to "toot our own horn" but we have to show the library and librarian to be relevant and essential. I love your site - very attractive and easy to read. Hope to keep in touch after GRADUATION !
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