leading the way2
TRANSCRIPT
Leading the Way
to Strong School Libraries
Change = Opportunity
Kaizen
…the growth that can only occur when we not only accept change in our lives but rather embrace it.
Change Principles
Keep the message simple. Keep saying it.
Expect turbulence.
Work with the living.
People invest in success.
Be tenacious and gracious and you will
always win the day.
Here’s what worked for us. . .
Step 1: Form a Library Department
Strength in numbers Everyone on message Professional development
Create Department Goals/ Vision
Create a three-year plan: where you are and where you want to be
Make sure your goals are explicitly relevant to district goals—(i.e.. STEM, Common Core, RRR)
Share with administrators and school board
Update regularly
Step 2: Facilitate Upward Communication
Regular superintendent meetings
Regular principal meetings
Get on committees run by administrators, such as curriculum & building leadership teams
Common Core, RRR, STEM
Step 3: Claim your Territory
Research process
Rubrics/Formative Assessment
Scope and Sequence of Information Literacy Skills Instruction
Share with teachers, administrators, school board
Step 4: Form Strategic Partnerships
Teachers Technologists Literacy Specialists Community Organizations Parents
Partner with. . .Teachers
1. Find teachers who will collaborate on projects
2. Build momentum
3. Work with administrators to create an expectation of collaboration
Image credit: http://library.wrdsb.ca
Partner with. . .Technology
Form an InfoTech Team
Collaborate with Technology Integrators
Offer professional development for all staff
Partner with. . .Literacy
Summer reading
Professional Learning Community read together
Lexiles and NWEA reading targets
Literacy Nights
Partner with. . . Community Organizations
Create a community presence
Collaborate with the public library
Partner with other community organizations
Partner with. . .Parents
Cultivate parent advocates
Present at PTO meetings
Adopt a kinder and gentler approach to overdues
Promote family summer reading
Allow parent checkout
Email parentsImage credit: kidport.com
Step 5: Do something FLASHY!
Get local press coverage
Every other year or so
One District/One Book, for example
Step 6: Embrace Change
Department goals and vision
Program review
Shifting to Learning Commons model
Program Review1. Conduct Highly Effective Libraries review
2. Educate staff on evolving vision for libraries
3. Uncover priorities
4. Increase stakeholders
5. Set building and departmental library goals
6. Plan departmental professional development