The Indispensable Librarian: Surviving and Thriving in School Libraries in the Information Age

This readable and practical book examines the changes in school libraries brought by the digital revolution—and describes how new and experienced librarians can take advantage of them. Both a book of practical solutions to today's budgetary and staffing problems in school libraries as well as an advocacy book, The Indispensable Librarian: Surviving and Thriving in School Libraries in the Information Age, Second Edition provides a practice-based overview of all management topics that also supplies real-world scenarios, step-by-step instructions, and pragmatic solutions to specific problems. In this follow-up to his original book, Doug Johnson offers more practical methods and sage advice for leveraging technology's popularity and effectiveness to build stronger programs and cultivate beneficial professional connections and friendships. He defines and clarifies the role of the school library media specialist in a technologically enhanced school, providing relevant examples and useful advice on a variety of topics; and underscores the importance of strong management skills, especially regarding collaborative planning and communications. The book is written especially for K–12 school librarians, both new and experienced, and is also suitable for pre-service librarians as a textbook.

Table of Contents:
List of Figures Foreword: You Have to Be Mad Joyce Kasman Valenza Acknowledgments Introduction to the Second Edition Chapter One: The Roles and Missions of the Librarian The Virtual Librarian What are the challenges facing our profession? Seven ways for librarians to remain relevant in a ubiquitous information environment full of NetGen learners Do school librarians have "enduring values"? Sample professional mission statement and the elevator speech The Mankato transition: A case study For reflection: Why are you in the profession? Chapter Two: Program Assessment Creating long-term change How will you show your program is impacting student achievement? Why assess your program? The formal library assessment Ongoing assessments Context and focus A 12-point library program checklist for principals For reflection: Linking libraries and reading achievement Chapter Three: Planning Critical elements of a library/technology plan The planning process Using goal setting to help in professional evaluations For reflection: Twenty-plus years of working with advisory groups—what I've learned Chapter Four: Communications and Advocacy What are the components of an effective communications program? Speaking where people are listening Can a good library program be a marketing tool for your school? What are the basic rules of effective advocacy? For reflection: What is transparency, and why is it critical to the librarian's success? Chapter Five: Managing Others and Collaboration Working with the library support staff Working with the technology department Working with the teaching staff: The fundamentals of successful collaboration For reflection: What is the secret to successful supervision? Chapter Six: Managing Digital Resources You know you are a 21st-century librarian when . . . How has the library's role changed as information and books go digital? What is cloud computing, and how can librarians take advantage of it? For reflection: E-books and libraries Chapter Seven: Curriculum Putting technology skills in their place Integrating technology skills into an information literacy curriculum Building an information/technology literacy curriculum Elements of projects that motivate What new skills are needed to survive the information jungle? How can librarians support the development of "right brain" skills? For reflection: What does a library for a postliterate society look like? Chapter Eight: Budget Budgeting as a library ethic Ten strategies of effective library budgeters Good purchasing strategies For reflection: Weed Chapter Nine: Facilities Why should I go to the library when the library will come to me? The fundamentals of good school library design and why they are still important Ten common design pitfalls and how to avoid them For reflection: Are there schools that don't need a library? Chapter Ten: Digital Intellectual Freedom Freedom to learn Maintaining intellectual freedom in a filtered world Best practices for meeting CIPA requirements Seven myths about Internet filters For reflection: Getting websites unblocked Chapter Eleven: Ethics and Technology How has technology impacted the ethical practice of librarians? Knowing right from wrong in the digital age For reflection: Guidelines for educators using social and educational networking sites Chapter Twelve: Copyright and Creative Commons Make a copyright u-turn and other audacious statements about copyright Creative Commons and why it should be more commonly understood For reflection: Why students (and adults) satisfice Chapter Thirteen: The Librarian's Role in Effective Staff Development The why, what, and who of staff development in technology and the librarian's role How can we provide effective staff development opportunities for our teachers? For reflection: Top 10 ways to increase your technology skills and knowledge (and the secret to being perceived as a technology guru) Chapter Fourteen: Surviving Professional Transitions Personal learning networks—Why you can't afford to wait for the next conference Finding the time When your job is on the line . . . For reflection: Prevention Chapter Fifteen: Libraries and the Future A mind-set list for librarians Miles's library: A vision for school libraries For reflection: Prognostications for libraries and schools Afterword: A Day of Ordinary Library Miracles Author's Note Index

About the Author :
Doug Johnson is director of media and technology for Mankato Area Public Schools in Mankato, MN.

Review :
This revised edition is 90 percent new, making it a valuable asset even to those who have dog-eared copies of the first edition. This is a book that belongs in school library collections for frequent reference—and even more in the hands of administrators whose vision of the possibilities inherent in a school library might just be approaching the twenty-first century.