The Many Faces of School Library Leadership

by Coatney, Sharon

• ISBN13: 9781591588931
• ISBN10: 1591588936
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-04-29
• Publisher: CLIO

Summary

More than ever, it is vital that librarians demonstrate leadership skills that will reinforce their own value and that of their institutions. The Many Faces of School Library Leadership offers insights and practical suggestions for such leadership through 10 essays contributed by outstanding leaders in the field of school librarianship.The book covers leadership in curriculum and instruction, literacy, technology, intellectual freedom, staff development, and other equally critical areas. It discusses the breadth and depth of the leadership school librarians must provide to move the school library program forward, secure enhanced services for students and faculty, and improve student achievement. It offers insights into the many leadership roles embraced by accomplished practitioners and considers the research surrounding these best practices. The book ends with a powerful chapter by renowned visionary David Loertscher that is a call for change and renewaland an inspirational reminder of the bottom-line purpose of the profession.

Author Biography

Sharon Coatney is senior acquisitions editor for ABC-CLIO and was a past president of the American Association of School Librarians. She was councilor-at-large of the American Library Association and a teacher and school librarian in Kansas for 30 years

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. ix
Leadership from the Middle: Building Influence for Change	p. 1
Leadership Is about Specific Competencies	p. 2
Leadership Is about Specific Behaviors	p. 4
Leadership Is about Relationships	p. 5
Leadership Is about Influence	p. 6
Above All, Leadership Is about You	p. 8
Conclusion	p. 11
Librarians as Learning Leaders: Cultivating Cultures of Inquiry	p. 13
Critical Dimensions of Thoughtful Learning	p. 13
Learning Is Not Just about Facts: It Encompasses More Than Cognitive Knowledge	p. 14
Learning Goes Beyond Comprehension: It Requires Demonstration of Critical Understanding	p. 14
Learning Should Be Hands On and Minds On: It Requires Active Intellectual Engagement	p. 14
Learning Demands Connections: It Requires Construction of Knowledge That Is Personally Meaningful	p. 15
Learning Is about Thinking Together: It Involves a Social Process of Making Meaning	p. 15
Qualities and Dispositions of Learning Leaders	p. 16
Learning Leaders Facilitate the Creation of a Shared Vision and Mission Regarding Student Learning	p. 16
Learning Leaders Understand and Apply the Learning Theories That Serve as the Foundation for Their Vision	p. 17
Learning Leaders Must Know the Research Underpinning Meaningful Learning	p. 18
Learning Leaders Engage Students and Peers in Thoughtful Inquiry	p. 19
Learning Leaders Believe in the Synergy and Power of Learning Communities and Teamwork	p. 19
The Bottom Line: Learning Leaders Model the Behaviors and Attitudes They Wish to Inspire in Others	p. 20
Librarians as Potential Leaders in Learning	p. 20
Librarian as a Model Teacher of Thinking Strategies	p. 21
Librarian as an Active Researcher	p. 22
Librarian as a Builder of Professional Learning Communities	p. 23
Librarian as an Advocate for Evidence-Based Practice of Student Learning	p. 24
Conclusion	p. 25
The School Librarian as an Advocacy Leader	p. 29
What Is Advocacy?	p. 29
Variations of Advocacy	p. 29
Effective Advocacy	p. 30
Advocacy with Administrators	p. 31
Lack of Knowledge	p. 31
The Role of the School Librarian	p. 32
Background Knowledge Equals Impact	p. 33
The Importance of Language	p. 34
Advocacy in Action	p. 35
Involving Others	p. 35
Action Planning	p. 35
Having a Web Presence	p. 36
Grant Writing	p. 36
Getting a Seat at the Tableà	p. 36
Evidence of Student Learning	p. 37
Legislative Action	p. 37
Waiting for the Tipping Point-Myth or Possibility?	p. 38
Conclusion	p. 39
Intellectual Freedom: Leadership to Preserve Minors' Rights in School Library Media Programs	p. 43
Defining Leadership	p. 43
Leadership to Provide Access to Information	p. 44
The Selection Policy	p. 44
Selection of Library Media Program Resources	p. 44
Leadership to Protect Access to Information	p. 48
Preparing for a Challenge	p. 48
Oral Complaints	p. 49
When a Challenge Occurs	p. 50
Other Responsibilities during a Challenge	p. 51
The Reconsideration Committee	p. 51
Soliciting Support for Retention of the Library Resource	p. 52
Managing Media Coverage	p. 52
When the Challenge Is Over	p. 53
Other Barriers to Access	p. 53
Intellectual Freedom Online	p. 53
Building Support for Less Restrictive Filtering	p. 54
Privacy	p. 55
Advocacy @ Your School Library	p. 60
Advocacy with Principals	p. 60
Teaching Teachers about Intellectual Freedom	p. 61
Educating Students about Intellectual Freedom	p. 62
Reaching Out to Families	p. 63
Conclusion	p. 63
Literacy Leadership and the School Library	p. 67
Creating and Communicating a Vision for Literacy	p. 68
Modeling and Promoting a Love of Reading	p. 69
Remembering Ranganathan: Collecting for your Population and Creating a System That Works for Students and Staff	p. 71
Books Are for Use	p. 72
Every Reader His Book	p. 72
Working with the School Site and District to Create Complementary Goals	p. 74
Becoming a Literacy Expert and Sharing Knowledge with Staff	p. 76
Collaborating with Teachers to Plan, Teach, and Evaluate Lessons That Promote Literacy	p. 78
Deepening Our Understanding of How Literacy Is Changing	p. 79
Conclusion	p. 82
The Teacher-Librarian as a Curriculum Leader	p. 85
Introduction	p. 85
Leadership-Initial Thoughts	p. 86
What is Curriculum?	p. 86
Information Specialist-Curriculum Content	p. 87
Information Specialist-Curriculum Mapping	p. 88
Curriculum Mapping-Horizontal	p. 88
Curriculum Mapping-Vertical (Scope and Sequence)	p. 89
Information Specialist-Collection Mapping	p. 90
Information Specialist-Additional Considerations	p. 91
Instructional Partner	p. 92
Instructional Partner-Curriculum Planning	p. 92
Instructional Partner-Inquiry-Based Learning	p. 93
Curriculum Responsibilities at the District, State, and National Levels	p. 94
Leadership Revisited	p. 94
Leadership Qualities	p. 95
Leadership Skills-Information Specialist	p. 95
Leadership Skills-Instructional Partner	p. 96
Conclusion	p. 97
Pride and Prejudice and Technology Leadership	p. 101
Prologue	p. 101
My Perspective	p. 102
Changing the Paradigm	p. 102
Keeping Up	p. 104
Gathering Diverse Perspectives	p. 106
Questioning	p. 108
Empathy and Interconnectedness	p. 109
Walking the Tightrope between Responsible Innovation and Foolish Risk	p. 110
Embracing Flexible Thinking	p. 111
Keeping the "Educational" in Educational Technology	p. 111
Saving Time for Self-Reflection	p. 112
Conclusion	p. 113
Staff Development-Teacher-Librarians as Learning Leaders	p. 115
Unique Role of Teacher-Librarians	p. 115
Leading Professional Learning Communities	p. 117
Teaching Teachers: Teacher-Librarian as Learning Leader	p. 118
Technology Trainer	p. 119
Practical Tips for Teacher-Librarians When Presenting to Colleagues	p. 120
Leadership and Your Professional School Library Association	p. 123
Training to Be Leaders	p. 124
Places for Leadership Practice in Associations	p. 125
Finding a Mentor	p. 125
Achieving Your Role in Association Leadership	p. 126
Working as a Committee Member	p. 126
Working as an Officer	p. 129
Attending Conferences	p. 129
Legislative Efforts of Associations	p. 130
Shifting Our Vision for Our Futures: Leadership as a Foundational Element for Teacher-Librarians	p. 133
Index	p. 137
About the Editor and Contributors	p. 145
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