building partnerships: school libraries & public libraries
DESCRIPTION
Building Partnerships: School Libraries & Public Libraries. Beth Wheeler Dean. Schooling B.S. in Accounting, Mississippi University for Women M.L.S., University of Alabama Experience 25 years in public libraries Adjunct Instructor, University of Alabama, SLIS - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Building Partnerships:School Libraries & Public
Libraries
Beth Wheeler Dean
Schooling B.S. in Accounting, Mississippi University for
Women M.L.S., University of Alabama
Experience 25 years in public libraries Adjunct Instructor, University of Alabama, SLIS 20 years working with children in libraries,
schools and churches
Kimberley L. Jones, M.S.L.I.S.
Schooling B.S. in Liberal Studies from Athens State
College M.S. in Library & Information Science from
University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign
Experience 7 years in Public Libraries 8 years in School Libraries
The Nuts and Bolts of the Public Library
Basic Characteristics Population Served Political Climate Funding
Basic Characteristics
Using the public library is a choice and consequently must be perceived as a value to the patron.
Public libraries serve multiple needs within a community.
Public libraries should have changed significantly in the last ten years.
Public libraries are now charged with serving patrons that do not enter their facilities.
Population Served
Everyone
Political Climate
Funding for public libraries is tied directly to governmental funding sources.
Public libraries seldom have guaranteed funding and must request funds from local government every fiscal year.
Public libraries must constantly balance local political views and issues with needs of patrons for information and materials.
Funding
There’s never enough money, staff, or resources.
A significant amount of time, personnel and resources must be used to maintain funding levels.
Public libraries must constantly looking for new sources of money.
The School Library Environment
Alabama PEPE Job Goal PEPE Performance Responsibilities
– Relating to School & Public Library Collaboration ALA’s “Position Statement on the Value of
Independent Reading” Encouraging a Life-long Love of Reading A School LMS Should …
Library Media Specialist’s “Job Goal”
(According to Alabama PEPE)
“To help students learn subject matter and skills that will contribute to their development as mature, able, responsible members of society and to provide for student and teacher utilization of a comprehensive program of library media skills and services.”
Appendix A, Library Media Specialist Evaluation Manual, PEPE of Alabama
Performance Responsibilities(relating to School and Public Library
collaboration)
The following items are taken from the ALSDE School LMS job description
Determines individual, class, and school needs.
Exhibits positive human relations skills. Communicates with parents/guardians,
colleagues, and community groups.Appendix A, Library Media Specialist Evaluation Manual, PEPE of Alabama
According to ALA’s “Position Statement on the Value of Independent Reading in the School Library Media Program”:
Many of today’s students have little or no interest in reading for pleasure. Most reading is done because it is required, and therefore students do not possess a love of reading.
School Library Media programs must work with teachers, parents, and the community in order to help generate life-long pleasure in reading.
From ALA’s “Position Statement on the Value of Independent Reading in the School Library Media Program.”http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslproftools/positionstatements/aaslpositionstatementvalueindependent.cfm
According to the American Library Association, a School
LMS should:
endeavor to facilitate student enjoyment of reading.
encourage students to read for fun. promote the reading of books that
challenge students’ thinking and reading skills.
From ALA’s “Position Statement on the Value of Independent Reading in the School Library Media Program.”http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslproftools/positionstatements/aaslpositionstatementvalueindependent.cfm
How can School Library Media Specialists encourage a love of reading? Students need . . . access to current, quality high-interest, and
extensive collections of books and other print materials in their library media centers, classrooms, and public libraries.
contact with adults who read regularly and widely and who serve as positive reading role models.
From ALA’s “Position Statement on the Value of Independent Reading in the School Library Media Program.”http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslproftools/positionstatements/aaslpositionstatementvalueindependent.cfm
How can School Library Media Specialists encourage a love of reading? Students need . . . certified school library media specialists
and classroom teachers who demonstrate their enthusiasm for reading by reading aloud and book-talking.
time during the school day dedicated to reading for pleasure, information and exploration.
From ALA’s “Position Statement on the Value of Independent Reading in the School Library Media Program.”http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslproftools/positionstatements/aaslpositionstatementvalueindependent.cfm
How can School Library Media Specialists encourage a love of reading? Students need . . . opportunities specifically designed to
engage them in reading. schools that create an environment
where independent reading is valued, promoted, and encouraged.
opportunities that involve caregivers, parents, and other family members in reading.
From ALA’s “Position Statement on the Value of Independent Reading in the School Library Media Program.”http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslproftools/positionstatements/aaslpositionstatementvalueindependent.cfm
The Starting Point
What You Bring to the Table What You Get for the Effort Going By the Book Playing Well with Others Why it Matters
What You Bring to the Table
Public Library Larger Collections Research Experience
& Research Collections
After-School Hours Different Perspective
to the same problems
School Library Students Parents Teachers Essentially, more
Patrons
What You Get for the EffortA Greater Impact
Public Library More Circulation Larger Audience for
Web Presence “Brand” Recognition
– Students and parents know you on sight
School Library Students will
maintain reading ability over the breaks.
A Different Voice A Fresh Face
Going By the Book
Begin with informal communication Start with who you will be working with,
not the administration Seek input from the population you
want to serve. (i.e. teachers, students, and library staff)
Keep your administration aware of the project and all school responsibilities.
Playing Well with Others
Know who you are– Be true to your mission and goals.
Do what you do best– Use everyone’s talents.
Stick with it– Give it time to see results—”the masses” will not
appear overnight. Follow through
– Don’t make promises you can’t keep.
Why It Matters
The kids. Creating life-long learners and life-long library
users The community should not pay for the same
resources two times. Collaboration means big points in grant proposals. More advocates for school libraries and public
libraries. Cooperation makes everyone look good.
Building Partnerships
Finding Friends Selling the Administration (Both of
them) Selling the Faculty/Staff Selling the Community Selling the Kids
Finding Friends
Find out about organizations associated with either group– Library schools– Never underestimate a contact– Check out local websites– Don’t be afraid to make the first move
Selling the Administration(Both of Them)
It takes time on both sides– Sell the benefits
Possible cynic scenarios:– “They don’t give us money.” (PL)– “There’s not enough time in the day.”
(Schools)– “It takes too much time and effort.” (Both)
You must allow time for the programs to take effect You know fairly quickly whether someone wants to
work with you
Selling the Faculty/Staff
Think outside the box Make it easy and worth their while
– Teachers already have so much on their plates
– Teachers need to know what they get out of the partnership
Selling the Community
Parents need to see you and recognize you
Make it worth their while to bring their kids to you
Don’t waste their time
Selling the Kids
Excite the students You love them, and they’ll love you
– Be genuine “Brand” Recognition
The More the Merrier
Stay True to Yourself Bringing Your “A” Game Enlarging the Circle Being a Team Player
Staying True to Yourself
You are there to enrich and expand services
Do your job– Let the other LMS do his/her job and you do
yours Don’t wait for someone to come to you Don’t be afraid to ask
Bringing Your “A” Game
Do your best Plan ahead Follow through
Enlarging the Circle
Cooperate Share Enjoy being part of a group Ask for help, ideas, and suggestions
Being a Team Player
Don’t expect to be “Queen” every day. Share the work, share the credit. Be loyal to team members. Make it fun for all.
Successes and Failures
Sometimes it works…– Storytelling at Fall Festival– Read Across America– Extra resources for teachers
Sometimes it doesn’t…– Homework Central– Motheread– Sometimes it just doesn’t work
Online Resources ALSC School/Public Library Cooperative Programs
http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/alscresources/forlibrarians/SchoolPLCoopProgs.htm
Public Library / Local School Partnerships http://midhudson.org/funding/marketing/School_Library_Partnerships.htm
Online Journals for School Librarians http://www.nypl.org/branch/services/JournalsForSchoolLibrarians.html
Together: Librarians and Teachers as Education Partners http://www.edukatetodd.com/cooperation/
GO FOR IT!!