ESSENTIAL CRITERIA FOR 21st CENTURY LIBRARY By Nikitra K. Hamilton
CRITERION (STATED IN A FULL SENTENCE)
RELEVANCY TO 21ST CENTURY LIBRARY PROGRAM
RATIONALE (2-3 SENTENCES)
MEASURABLE?
CRITERION #1 The Library program is aligned with state and national standards.
AASL RELEVANT STANDARD: “Follow ethical and legal guidelines in gathering and using information (AASL, 2007).”
I began with this criterion because the foundation of any profession is to identity, comprehend, and apply standards and guidelines. Any and every library must begin a library program by understanding the ruling factors. How can you know what an exemplary or a deficient program looks like when you have not reviewed the standards?
This is measurable because the library can print the national and state standards and consistently connect each time a decision or change is made and identify how it correlates with the standard. This can be posted on the wall for review by any and all stakeholders. This is an excellent idea so that it can be utilized a reference tool with administrators if necessary.
CRITERION #2 Once the library comprehends rules and guidelines, data must be researched about the specific campus. The library program utilizes evidenced-based practices.
“Conclude an inquiry based research process by sharing new understandings and reflecting on the learning (AASL, 2007).”
I selected this criterion because you must understand where you are in order to know where you are going.“Evidence-based school librarianship uses research-derived evidence to shape and direct what we do (Todd, 2008).” Utilizing the data about past student scores, library usage, current technology availability, and staff schedules, are just a few examples of what a librarian needs to know prior to implementing any changes.
Evidence based practices are measurable as well. For example, if the 11th grades were repeatedly failing a certain portion of the Social Studies test, then that TEK could be identified, books purchased, lesson plans made, and used to help the Social Studies teacher create relevant lesson plans. The scores would increase displaying how evidenced based practices improved student scores.
CRITERION #3 The Library Program institutes the practice of collaboration. Collaboration is a method utilized to ensure all stakeholders buy in to changes that may potentially occur.
“Demonstrate teamwork by working productively with others (AASL, 2007).” “Solicit and respect diverse perspectives while searching for information, collaborating with others, and participating as a member of the community (AASL, 2007).”
Standard I, Principle II states, ”The librarian works collaboratively with students, teachers, and the community to promote local, state, and national reading initiatives that encourage learners to read, write, view, speak, and listen for understanding and enjoyment (“Texas State Library, 2005)” After reviewing national and state standards, the librarian needs to review the data, and then collaborate with principals, teachers, students, parent, and community members prior to making changes. Collaboration preserves peace, and helps all who are involved.
Collaboration is measured by the dates and times the librarian collaborated with administrators, teachers, community members, parents, and students.
CRITERION #4 The Library program has created long and short term goals.
“Use valid information and reasoned conclusions to make ethical decisions (AASL, 2007).
The long term goals can be measured by creating a mission. “The mission of the school library program is to ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information; students are empowered to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information (AASL, 2007). The short term goals will included the weekly and daily measurable goals required to achieve the mission.
Definitely measurable. This long and short term goals can be listed at the beginning, and a check list generated to check to see if those goals are being accomplished.
CRITERION #5 The Library program strategicaly plans.
“Employ a critical stance in drawing conclusions by demonstrating that the pattern of evidence leads to a decision or conclusion (AASL, 2007).
After synthesizing, rules and guideline, analyzing data, collaborating, and defining the mission, and short term goals, a plan must be strategically created including the right individuals, and resources to implement plans.
How and when planning is done? What data is utilized? Who needs to attend? All of these items can be measured by a schedule.
CRITERION #6 The Library program makes day-day-decisions based on student outcomes.
“Determine how to act on information (accept, reject, modify) (AASL, 2007).”
Standard II, Principal 4, states, “Research/Assessment/Reporting: The librarian manages a successful program by demonstrating the value of the library program through research, data collection, assessment, evaluation, and dissemination of information about services and resources. In the following Program Developments the librarian (“Texas State Standards, 2005). Once strategic plans have been implemented, it is necessary for decisions to be altered when necessary based on student outcomes.
Student outcomes can be measured by card readers, circulation, and improvement of test scores, increased or decreased visitations to the library.
CRITERION #7 The Library program ensures that the librarian is providing leadership to the internal and external community.
“Demonstrate leadership and confidence by presenting ideas to others in both formal and informal situations (AASL, 2007).”
“Library supporters should begin a mentoring program to help increase involvement in advocacy (Texas Library Association, n.d.). Leadership is necessary to implement any and all changes.
The library can create a report of the existing issues prior to the changes he/she implemented. This would prove that the librarian took on leadership role with the school.
CRITERION #8 The Library program develops a culturally diverse collection.
“Maintain openness to new ideas by considering divergent opinions, changing opinions or conclusions when evidence supports the change, and seeking information about new ideas encountered through academic or personal experiences (AASL, 2007)”.
The population in America is changing tremendously, and the collections must reflect what students need, and literature based on the population the campus serves.
The collection that was already there can be compared to the changing population of students and cultures on the campus. New titles can be ordered that reflect the new population.
CRITERION #9 The Library program has a functional library.
“School libraries provide equitable physical and intellectual access to the resources and tools required for learning in a warm, stimulating, and safe environment. School librarians collaborate with others to provide instruction, learning strategies, and practice in using the essential learning skills needed in the 21st century (AASL, 2007).”
A library cannot just be aesthetically pleasing, and/or organized. It must serve the needs and purposes of the changing technology, and informational trends.
A survey can be created at the beginning of the year about the functionality of the library, and after changes have been made an end-of the year survey could be given to measure.
CRITERION #10 The Library program teaches information literacy to all stakeholders.
“Information literacy has progressed from the simple definition of using reference resources to find information. Multiple literacies, including digital, visual, textual, and technological, have now joined information literacy as crucial skills for this century(AASL, 2007)”.
Texas Library Standard I, Principle III states, “The librarian collaborates, designs, and provides ongoing instruction for staff and students in the integration of information technology and information literacy, emphasizing and modeling the ethical use of resources (“Texas State Library”, 2005). Information literacy includes comprehending information, locating information, and using information ethically. Student, staff, teachers, and administrators do not know, but it is essential that they are competent users of information.
Information literacy can be measured by how often classes were provided to student, staff, and community members.
CRITERION #11 The Library program ensures that it includes advocacy so that the school and greater community are aware of efforts, needs, and successes.
“Contribute to the exchange of ideas within and beyond the learning community (AASL, 2007).” “Use knowledge and information skills and dispositions to engage in public conversation and debate around issues of common concern (AASL, 2007).”
I am not a personal fan of advocacy, but I do understand that it is necessary in order for the life extension of the librarian profession. Advocacy helps students, the profession, and community to become informed of the uses, needs, and important information about the library.
Advocacy can be measured on actual contacts made within the school community, outside of the school community, newsletters, and how many times outside community members have visited, helped with a cause, or donated.
CRITERION #12 The library program ensures all staff and employees receive relevant, annual staff development.
“Seek opportunities for pursuing personal and aesthetic growth (AASL, 2007).” “Recognize how to focus efforts in personal learning (AASL, 2007).”
Staff development was the final, but most important and crucial part of the twelve criterions I have presented. How can a librarian teach others if he/she is not current with technology, changing laws, or new information?
Staff development can be measured based on how many classes, conventions, or professional developments were attended per each member of the staff.
By
Nikitra K. Hamilton
(STATED IN A FULL SENTENCE)
(2-3 SENTENCES)
CRITERION #1
The Library program is aligned with state and national standards.
AASL RELEVANT STANDARD:
“Follow ethical and legal
guidelines in gathering
and using information (AASL, 2007).”
Once the library comprehends rules and guidelines, data must be researched about the specific campus. The library program utilizes evidenced-based practices.
“Conclude an inquiry based research
process by sharing
new understandings
and reflecting on the
learning (AASL, 2007).”
I selected this criterion because you must understand where you are in order to know where you are going.“Evidence-based school librarianship uses research-derived evidence to shape and direct what we do (Todd, 2008).”
Utilizing the data about past student scores, library usage, current technology availability, and staff schedules, are just a few examples of what a librarian needs to know prior to implementing any changes.
Evidence based practices are measurable as well. For example, if the 11th grades were repeatedly failing a certain portion of the Social Studies test, then that TEK could be identified, books purchased, lesson plans made, and used to help the Social Studies teacher create relevant lesson plans. The scores would increase displaying how evidenced based practices improved student scores.
The Library Program institutes the practice of collaboration. Collaboration is a method utilized to ensure all stakeholders buy in to changes that may potentially occur.
teamwork by working
productively with
others (AASL, 2007).”
“Solicit and respect
diverse perspectives
while searching
for information,
collaborating
with others, and
participating as
a member of the
community (AASL, 2007).”
After reviewing national and state standards, the librarian needs to review the data, and then collaborate with principals, teachers, students, parent, and community members prior to making changes. Collaboration preserves peace, and helps all who are involved.
The Library program has created long and short term goals.
and reasoned
conclusions to make
ethical decisions (AASL, 2007).
The long term goals can be measured by creating a mission. “The mission of the school library program is to ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information; students are empowered to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information (AASL, 2007).
The short term goals will included the weekly and daily measurable goals required to achieve the mission.
Definitely measurable. This long and short term goals can be listed at the beginning, and a check list generated to check to see if those goals are being accomplished.
The Library program strategicaly plans.
stance in drawing
conclusions by
demonstrating that the
pattern of evidence
leads to a decision or
conclusion (AASL, 2007).
After synthesizing, rules and guideline, analyzing data, collaborating, and defining the mission, and short term goals, a plan must be strategically created including the right individuals, and resources to implement plans.
How and when planning is done?
What data is utilized?
Who needs to attend?
All of these items can be measured by a schedule.
The Library program makes day-day-decisions based on student outcomes.
on information (accept,
reject, modify) (AASL, 2007).”
Once strategic plans have been implemented, it is necessary for decisions to be altered when necessary based on student outcomes.
Student outcomes can be measured by card readers, circulation, and improvement of test scores, increased or decreased visitations to the library.
The Library program ensures that the librarian is providing leadership to the internal and external community.
leadership and
confidence by
presenting ideas
to others in both
formal and informal
situations (AASL, 2007).”
Leadership is necessary to implement any and all changes.
The library can create a report of the existing issues prior to the changes he/she implemented. This would prove that the librarian took on leadership role with the school.
The Library program develops a culturally diverse collection.
to new ideas
by considering
divergent opinions,
changing opinions
or conclusions when
evidence supports the
change, and seeking
information about
new ideas encountered
through academic or
personal experiences (AASL, 2007)”.
The collection that was already there can be compared to the changing population of students and cultures on the campus. New titles can be ordered that reflect the new
population.
The Library program has a functional library.
and intellectual access to the resources and
tools required for learning in a warm, stimulating,
and safe environment. School librarians collaborate
with others to provide
instruction, learning
strategies, and practice
in using the essential
learning skills needed
in the 21st century (AASL, 2007).”
A library cannot just be aesthetically pleasing, and/or organized. It must serve the needs and purposes of the changing technology, and informational trends.
A survey can be created at the beginning of the year about the functionality of the library, and after changes have been made an end-of the year survey could be given to measure.
The Library program teaches information literacy to all stakeholders.
definition of using reference resources to find
information. Multiple literacies, including digital,
visual, textual, and technological, have now joined
information literacy as crucial skills for this century(AASL, 2007)”.
designs,
and provides ongoing instruction for staff and students in the integration of information technology and information literacy, emphasizing and modeling the ethical use of resources (“Texas State Library”, 2005).
Information literacy includes comprehending information, locating information, and using information ethically. Student, staff, teachers, and administrators do not know, but it is essential that they are competent users of information.
Information literacy can be measured by how often classes were provided to student, staff, and community members.
The Library program ensures that it includes advocacy so that the school and greater community are aware of efforts, needs, and successes.
“Contribute to the
exchange of ideas
within and beyond the
learning community (AASL, 2007).”
“Use knowledge and
information skills
and dispositions
to engage in public
conversation and
debate around issues
of common concern (AASL, 2007).”
I am not a personal fan of advocacy, but I do understand that it is necessary in order for the life extension of the librarian profession. Advocacy helps students, the profession, and community to become informed of the uses, needs, and important information about the library.
Advocacy can be measured on actual contacts made within the school community, outside of the school community, newsletters,
and
how many times outside community members have visited, helped with a cause, or donated.
The library program ensures all staff and employees receive relevant, annual staff development.
pursuing personal and
aesthetic growth (AASL, 2007).”
“Recognize how
to focus efforts in
personal learning (AASL, 2007).”
Staff development was the final, but most important and crucial part of the twelve criterions I have presented. How can a librarian teach others if he/she is not current with technology, changing laws, or new information?
Staff development can be measured based on how many classes, conventions, or professional developments were attended per each member of the staff.
Works Cited
AASL. (n.d.). Outline of Guidelines.Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/aasl/guidelinesandstandards/learningstandards/gdoutline.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission. (2005). School Library Programs: Standards and Guidelines for Texas. Retrieved from
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/schoollibs/sls/index.html.
Standards for the 21st century learner. (2007). Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/aasl/standards.
Texas Library Association (n.d.). Library Issues and Taking Action. Retrieved July 29, 2012. http://www.txla.org/take-action.
Todd, R. J. (2008). To-do lists. School Library Journal, 54(4), 42. http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6545434.html.