No School Library Left Behind: Leadership, School Improvement, and the Media Specialist

(Paperback)

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Collaborate with teachers, administrators, students, and parents to become the leading force in your school's improvement plan. Learn to create a library media program that is crucial to increasing information literacy, while meeting academic standards Prove the essential value library media specialists add to student achievement and to their schools Here is a must-have tool for every school library media specialist who wants to prove the direct correlation between effective library media programs and student achievement. Library media specialists can learn to become leaders in the school by creating dynamic programs that students need, administrator's support, and teachers rely upon. Learn how to align the library media program with the school improvement process so that teachers, parents, and students will fight to maintain the valuable library program and the essential media specialist.

Reviews

This title is well-organized, and the author's knowledge and experience is evident! The book will provide a useful primer for library media specialists seeking to better define their leadership role within the school environment. * Colorado Association of Libraries *
This succinct guide shows library media specialists how to create exemplary programs that are aligned with school objectives, including improvement plans, processes, and outcomes, and how to measure the value of these efforts, especially in terms of academic standards and the development of information literacy skills. These criteria are often used to determine programs that should be supported and enhanced. The volume includes practical strategies; many informational sidebars, some of which are bibliographies; and appendixes that supply various assessment tools. It is an outstanding addition because of the wealth of tables, graphics, case studies, and professional and Web resources, all of which are well integrated into the text. * School Library Journal *
This slim volume packs a tremendous amount of useful, practical information into well-organized chapters and manageable subsections. The content constitutes a crash course in school improvement, covering definitions, history, legislation, research, best practices, assessment, profiles of accreditation associations, and most importantly, a strong rationale for why media specialists should lead the way in school improvement efforts. Fictionalized scenarios of how media specialists can move into leadership roles begin every chapter, and while they seem to reflect ideal situations, the accompanying strategies and straightforward advice provide realistic, effective suggestions that can be applied in any situation. Of particular note are the sections on reviewing library policies and practices to ensure they support school improvement goals, including an entire chapter devoted to how media programs can support math goals. The final chapter addresses school improvement beyond the building, including how library media specialists can enhance school improvement efforts through parent involvement, the school library Web page, and applying for grants and initiatives. Specialized bibliographies and lists of supporting Web sites are included throughout, as are easily accessible bulleted lists, accompanied by brief but well-reasoned explanations. Of major interest to novice and seasoned practitioners, this guide is timely and relevant. Highly Recommended. * Library Media Connection *

Author Bio

Carl A. Harvey II is an instructor of school librarianship at Longwood University in Farmville, VA. Previously, he was an elementary school librarian for 17 years in Indiana.