Position Statement on the School Librarian's Role in Reading Rationale: Reading is a foundational skill for 21st-century learners. Guiding learners to become engaged and effective users of ideas and information and to appreciate literature requires that they develop as strategic readers who can comprehend, analyze, and evaluate text in both print and digital formats. Learners must also have opportunities to read for enjoyment as well as for information. School librarians are in a critical and unique position to partner with other educators to elevate the reading development of our nation’s youth. Reading skills involve thinking skills. The extent to which young people use information depends upon their ability to understand what they read, to integrate their understandings with what they already know, and to realize their unanswered questions. In addition, 21st-century learners must become adept at determining authority and accuracy of information, and analyzing and evaluating that information to synthesize new knowledge from multiple resources.
Thinking Outside the Bin: Why labeling books by reading level disempowers young readers Illustration by James Steinberg A child enters the library, looking for something to read. She wanders the aisles, glancing at book spines, running her finger along the shelf, and lingering at a display of new titles. “Can I help you?” asks the librarian, following with more questions about her tastes: What was the last book you read? The librarian is engaging in readers’ advisory—matching readers to books. That process is often different from the hunt for “just right” books in classrooms and collections in which books are organized by reading level. In classrooms across the country, reading instruction, assessment, and labeling of material have impacted how people search for and engage with books, sometimes resulting in restricted reading choices—even for independent reading. What’s wrong with “just right” books? Most educators and researchers agree that student choice is a huge part of reading motivation. Leveling the books, or the child? Miller says that this can be very damaging.
Position Statement on Support for National Board of Professional Teaching Standards Certification AASL supports National Board Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification as recognition of accomplished teaching in the field of library media. AASL further recognizes that the National Board standards are closely aligned with its own which support the role of the school librarian as a teacher, instructional partner, information specialist, and program administrator as outlined in Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Programs. National Board assessment measures what an accomplished school librarian should know and should do in the context of their daily work. School librarians who complete National Board certification are encouraged to mentor candidates in appropriate ways and to use the knowledge they have gained to better the field. Further, school librarians should support all teachers seeking National Board certification by providing a space to work in the school/district school library and providing research tools for test and portfolio preparation.
Podcast80: Encouraging Reading by Stephen Krashen : Free Download & Streaming Skip to main content We will keep fighting for all libraries - stand with us! Position Statement on Labeling Books with Reading Levels The following position statement is currently under review to align with the National School Library Standards. Librarians use spine labels to organize and identify library resources by call number to help patrons locate general subject areas or specific fiction, non-fiction, reference, audiovisual, or other items. Viewpoint-neutral directional labeling in libraries increases students’ access to information and supports their First Amendment right to read. Best practice in school libraries includes books and other resources being shelved using a standard classification system that also enables students to find resources in other libraries, such as a public library, from which they may borrow materials. One of the realities some school librarians face in their jobs is pressure by administrators and classroom teachers to label and arrange library collections according to reading levels. For additional supporting information see also: American Association of School Librarians.
Five Librarian Bloggers to Follow There are so many blogs about librarianship that it would be difficult to follow them all. Everyone has his or her favorites, of course, but NewsBreaks is highlighting some you may not have heard of in the hopes you’ll find it worthwhile to hear their perspectives. If you already know about these passionate authorial librarians, read on for some insight into why they started their blogs and what advice they’d give to those thinking about blogging. David Lee King David Lee King is the eponymous blog of a digital services director whose interests include social media, emerging trends, and libraries. Bio: “I create, write, think, and speak about the social web, emerging trends, and libraries. Blogging Beginnings: The blog’s archive begins in September 2003, with a brief post titled “Cool DHTML Menus.” Why He Blogs: “I wanted a way to share my thoughts on websites and emerging technology trends that wasn’t part of a library listserv,” King says. Sample Post: “Tidy Up Your Twitter Followers”
Position Statement on the School Library Supervisor The leadership of a qualified school library supervisor is an essential component in the delivery of a quality school library program in collaboration with qualified school librarians and competent library support personnel. To ensure that students are successful 21st century learners, school librarians must provide equitable, intellectual, and physical access to resources and support reading throughout the school community. Today’s schools require the presence of a highly qualified school librarian, equitable access to library resources, and quality school library programs and services. Leader The school library supervisor is alert to new ideas, keeps abreast of innovative teaching methods and new instructional technologies. Administrator Communicator The school library supervisor communicates the relevancy of the school library program as it aligns to the district’s mission, goals and objectives, and administrative and educational policies. Teacher Facilitator
Readicide Read-i-cide n: The systematic killing of the love of reading, often exacerbated by the inane, mind-numbing practices found in schools. Reading is dying in our schools. Educators are familiar with many of the factors that have contributed to the decline—poverty, second-language issues, and the ever-expanding choices of electronic entertainment. Reading is dying in our schools. In Readicide, Kelly argues that American schools are actively (though unwittingly) furthering the decline of reading. valuing the development of test-takers over the development of lifelong readers;mandating breadth over depth in instruction;requiring students to read difficult texts without proper instructional support;insisting that students focus solely on academic texts;drowning great books with sticky notes, double-entry journals, and marginalia;ignoring the importance of developing recreational reading;and losing sight of authentic instruction in the shadow of political pressures.
Organizing Booktalks | Informania Reader’s Advisory can take many forms, but my favorite is booktalking. The beginning of a new semester is the perfect opportunity to reach out to teachers and offer to do booktalks for their classes. Last week, I gave booktalks for twelve classes. Each booktalking session averaged three to seven books which can become a management nightmare. I use the following method to organize booktalks so that if teachers wish for me to booktalk more than once to their classes, I can be assured I am not repeating myself. Organizing Booktalks 1. The spreadsheet includes the author, title, and up to three genres. 2. 3. I keep all of this information in my Booktalk Notebook that I keep for reference at the Circulation Desk. Giving the Booktalks Once a teacher requests a booktalking session, I confer with him/her to determine a few factors I need to consider as I plan: 1. length of time teacher wants to stay 2. class composition (equal numbers of males and females?) Like this: Like Loading...
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