School librarians, because of their role in their learning community, are uniquely situated to support and facilitate student learning through collaborative partnerships with other educators. This kind of collaborative work is built into the work of school librarians, exemplified in the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) shared…

School libraries are vital to any comprehensive approach to literacy instruction. School librarians directly support learners' reading success by enabling both access and motivation to read a range of texts and other informational materials. Moreover, school librarians collaborate with classroom teachers to provide resources and programming that…

The high-quality instruction offered in the school library and in collaboration with classroom teachers helps students understand and practice the content standards. School librarians should begin by collaborating within their school building and then thoughtfully expand those connections to neighboring schools, community organizations, and state…

It is essential school librarians understand and demonstrate how they impact the school culture, implement school and district goals, and form positive relationships within the school community. However, some school librarians have difficulty understanding the connection between advocacy, leadership, and acting in a leadership role. As a result,…

If there was ever a time to review material selection policy and bring stakeholders into the conversation, the time is now. Kowalski discusses the school librarian as an instructional leader who must keep administrators informed, but also organizational partners, and stakeholders. Teachers, family partners, and student partners are also discussed…

In many elementary schools across the nation the library looks like a revolving door of classes. Classroom teachers come and drop off their classes for a lesson at a set time during the week. The school librarian teaches a lesson in isolation while the classroom teacher has a planning period. There is little time for collaboration. There is even…

According to the author, we are all creators and consumers of media. Technology has made it easy to copy, paste, and transfer anything educators might want to use in their classrooms. As educators, school librarians have an obligation to honor the law and be the role models that learners and other staff members need them to be. So many times the…

The 2018 "National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries" enable school librarians to continuously tailor school libraries and activities to meet students' needs and interests while meeting state curriculum requirements. The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Standards recognize…

As many school librarians start their career they often feel comfortable taking on the job of instructional partner. Becoming an instructional leader in your school requires having a seat at the table. Building relationships with the various community stakeholders sets the tone for the author's school library and their leadership as an…

This article is about what the future of reading looks like. Currently many districts across the country--including New York City--are adopting research-based methods called the science of reading that focus on mechanics. Leanne Ellis surmises the future of reading holds great promise if school librarians can promote, showcase, and advocate for a…

This article describes the approach to teaching and supporting learners that led, in part, to high school math teacher Sarah Zehnder and the author, Amanda Hurley, a high school librarian, being named the recipients of the 2021 American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Collaborative School Library Award. The article details the process of…

School libraries have been instrumental in the navigation of the triple-trauma crisis of 2020-21. COVID-19, national racial strife, and an economic crisis have had a huge impact on many families in the United States. In summer 2020 the Franklin Special School District in Franklin, Tennessee, was one of many districts across the nation that had to…

Everyone has an object that holds a special meaning. It is human nature to collect these objects and value the stories they tell. Entire buildings have been built just to hold and display such items. Museums not only house these objects but help us connect to the past and our culture as well as the culture of others. In the state of Arkansas, few…

In 2020 the tenth edition of the "Intellectual Freedom Manual" will be published by American Library Association (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF). As with each new edition, this one includes guidance on the latest issues, the newest policy statements related to intellectual freedom (IF), and the core documents that outline the…

The actions of a single librarian can bring about district support aimed at increasing students' equitable access to a strong school library. This article shares a success story from a sole school librarian who showed evidence of the school library's value and was able to double her contracted presence as the school's librarian.