The Principal's Guide to a Powerful Library Media Program: A School Library for the 21st Century

This book of best practices documents how school administrators and librarians can work together to optimize their library media services. A campus administrator looking to improve an existing library media program or create a new one. A teacher or librarian seeking the principal's support for establishing a more effective program. A university professor requiring the foundation for a curriculum to instruct preservice librarians and campus administrators. In each of these scenarios, The Principal's Guide to a Powerful Library Media Program can provide relevant background information, clear guidance, and tangible techniques. This unique text draws on professional literature, research, site visits, interviews, and the coauthors' collective years of experience to help principals be effective practioners, and to facilitate full comprehension of the far-reaching benefits a successful library media program has on the entire campus. The anecdotes and insights on best practices illustrate the principal's role in managing and facilitating the library media program—including hiring, budgeting, scheduling, and professional development. The methodology of "GEAR"—Gather information, Establish goals, Apply strategy, and Reflect—is championed throughout the book.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments About the Authors Table of Figures Contents of CD Foreword by Robert E. Berkowitz Foreword by Carl D. Glickman Introduction About Language and Levels of Practice What Is Included Works Cited Chapter 1: Instructional Leadership, Research, and Standards for Library Media Programs Guiding Questions Introduction Principals and Assistant Principals as Instructional Leaders The Library Media Specialist, the Library Media Center, and Student Performance Supporting the Taught and Tested Curriculum National Guidelines and State Standards for Library Media Programs Essential Concepts for This Chapter Planning for Action and Getting Started Works Cited Additional Resources Chapter 2: Effective Practices in Integrating the Library Media Program Across the School and Curriculum Guiding Questions Introduction Learning Standards Information Search Process Collaboration Reasons for Collaboration Expertise Curriculum Benefits to Students Levels of Collaboration Steps to Effective Collaboration Planning Direct Instruction Assessment of Student Process and Results Evaluation Obstacles to Collaboration Emphasis on Testing Scheduling Time Perceptions Outdated Practices Selected Examples of Full Integration across the Curriculum Primary Grade Science and Social Studies Intermediate Grade Science Intermediate Social Studies and Language Arts Middle School Grade Math Middle School Health High School Social Studies and Language Arts High School Art History High School Environmental Science and English Composition Promoting Reading, Writing, and Visual Literacy Ethical Issues and the Library Media Program Promoting Intellectual Freedom through the Library Media Program Equal Access to Ideas and Information Copyright and Plagiarism Essential Concepts for This Chapter Planning for Action and Getting Started Works Cited Additional Resources Chapter 3: Understanding the Roles and Responsibilities of the Library Media Specialist Guiding Questions Introduction Instructional Partnership Information Specialist Automating Access to Materials Access to On-Shelf Materials and Subscription Databases Bibliographic Instruction Professional Productivity Noninstructional Technology Duties Audio and Photography Equipment Literacy Programmer Reader Guidance Text Leveling Collection Developer Developing a Culturally Responsive Collection Materials Selection Policy Addressing Challenges to Books and Materials Program Administrator Maintaining the Collection Providing Access to Materials through the Library's Online Catalog and Circulation System Library Volunteer Program Communicating with Public Libraries That Serve the School's Attendance Area Focusing on Priorities Essential Concepts for This Chapter Planning for Action and Getting Started Works Cited Additional Resources Chapter 4: The Principal's Role in Supporting and Sustaining the Library Media Program Guiding Questions Introduction Staffing the Library Media Program and Hiring a Library Media Specialist Questions for Interviewing a Library Media Specialist Hiring a Paraprofessional Appraising the Library Media Staff Budgeting for the Library Media Program Scheduling for an Effective Program Disadvantages of a Fixed Schedule Advantages of a Fixed Schedule Advantages of a Flexible Schedule How Does Flexible Scheduling Work? Moving from Fixed to Flexible Scheduling Optimizing a Fixed Schedule Library Media Center Facilities Lighting and Electrical Outlets Wireless Access Signage Bookshelves Seating Area for Pleasure Reading Instructional Area Story Time and Presentation Area Computer Tables Circulation Desk Décor Book Displays Library Media Specialist's Office and Work Space Work Space for Students Storage Room Open Space Advocacy for the Library Media Program Essential Concepts for This Chapter Planning for Action and Getting Started Works Cited Additional Resources Chapter 5: Continuous Improvement and the Library Media Program Guiding Questions Introduction Characteristics of Effective Professional Development The Principal's Role in Professional Development Professional Development for the Library Media Specialist Library Media Specialist as a Professional Developer Content of Professional Development Conducted by the Library Media Specialist Professional Growth for the Paraprofessional Providing Support through Supervision Crafting and Conducting a Program Evaluation or Self Study Action Research as a Tool for Improvement GEARing Up for Success: An Action Improvement Model for Library Media Specialists Steps of the GEAR Method Gather Information Establish Goals Apply Strategies Reflect Successfully Applying the GEAR Method Scenario Gather Data Establish Goals Apply Strategies Reflect Essential Concepts for This Chapter Planning for Action and Getting Started Works Cited Additional Resources Appendixes Appendix A: Administrator Self Assessments for Important Chapter Concepts Appendix B: Evaluating Collaborative Units of Instruction Appendix C: Providing Access to Materials through the Library's Catalog (Cataloging and Circulation) Appendix D: Library Media Specialist Interview Questions Appendix E: Paraprofessional Interview Questions Appendix F: Library Media Program Budget Proposal Worksheet Appendix G: Library Media Program Budget Worksheet Appendix H: Library Walk-About Checklist Appendix I: Library Media Specialist Instructional Activities Feedback Form Appendix J: Administrator's Library Media Program Feedback Form Appendix K: Guide Sheets for Library Self Study—Budgeting, Scheduling and Usage, and Staffing Appendix L: Action Research as a Tool for Improvement Appendix M: GEAR Worksheets for Concepts in Chapters 2 and 3, Including Blank Worksheet Index

About the Author :
Marla W. McGhee, PhD, is associate professor, Educational Leadership, Texas Christian University (TCU), Ft. Worth, TX. Barbara A. Jansen is chair of 1–12 Instructional Technology and upper school librarian at St. Andrew's Episcopal Upper School, Austin, TX.

Review :
With focused and well-organized topics from understanding the research and standards to supporting and sustaining them through collaborative processes, this revised edition (Linworth, 2005) offers a great deal of concrete information. . . . While the book is written with school librarians and principals as the primary readers, it can be adapted for public librarians to create open communication between both entities. Overall, an excellent choice for the professional media specialist's or principal's shelf.