The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) "Standards for the 21st-Century Learner" were released just as the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) was refreshing its National Educational Technology Standards for Students in late 2007. These standards outline what students will know and be able to do with educational…

At the beginning of last year the assistant Middle Division director at the Berkeley Preparatory School challenged his faculty to collaborate with at least one teacher from another department in the division for a portion of one unit. Because the challenge was given at the beginning of the school year, it was received with trepidation, but, after…

While many robust library programs engage students in problem-finding, inquiry-rich curricula, other programs might benefit from addition of a few key strategies. Discussion strategies might be used during read-alouds or as enhancements to an instructional strategy like jigsaw. Writing strategies might be integrated into research projects or might…

In this article, the author traces her journey from fulfilling her evolving job duties to an increased sense of awareness that advocacy was an integral part of her work. The author started her career by doing the best she could do for the library media program she managed, and evolved to become an advocate for school libraries in general. Through…

School library media specialists are natural advocates; they are enthusiastic readers and seekers of information who, by disposition and the nature of their jobs, willingly share knowledge and excitement about learning and opportunities with students and colleagues. In this article, the author discusses the importance of both the "sparks" of…

This article presents the results of a research project centered on challenged books, which was used with a twelfth-grade class of mixed ability levels. The study of banned books provided the students an opportunity to engage with literature on a number of levels, generating text-to-self connections by involving students in a discussion centered…

Whether it is a small group who shows up at school board meetings to defend a program cut or a group of parents who, via website, blog, e-mail, phone calls, and visits, challenge a state legislature to provide funding for school library programs and resources, parents are the strongest advocates for school library programs, writes the President of…

Beyond acknowledging for spatial--more specifically map--literacy to the intellectual development of lifelong learners, teachers need to know how they might teach these tools. This article describes a collaboration to help teachers integrate spatial literacy in the school. The author suggests excellent web resources that supported an integrated…

In this article, the author describes his path to library advocacy. It resulted from several youthful experiences, favorable professional associations, and an unexpected invitation shortly after he left K-12 education for the university. The author believes that it is a good idea to get more librarians to consider going into administration.…

Librarians are effective in sharing their best practices with each other. Learning from each other is crucial, but not sharing their stories with other members of the school learning community keeps them wondering exactly what it is that librarians do. In this article, the author offers steps that can guide librarians to write for publications…

In this article, the author shares how she became an advocate for school libraries. Moving into a career as a school library media specialist after five-and-a-half years as a teacher, she eventually became a delegate to the first White House Conference on Library and Information Services. At these conferences, she learned where and how decisions…

In this Information Age, students produce research projects by piecing together passages quoted verbatim and stitched together with a few introductory or transitional words. They assemble research as patchwork quilts rather than weaving a fabric of new knowledge. This common practice raises ethical issues and poses new challenges for library media…

According to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (2006), "Accomplished library media specialists are instructional leaders who forge greater opportunities for learners" (55). As one of the few school personnel responsible for all students, the media specialist can serve as a coordinator and an advocate. They can ensure equitable…

When future teacher-librarians enter their preservice education, what kinds of advocacy-focused learning experiences can and should they expect? How can preservice teacher-librarians be supported as they develop the character traits of advocates for effective, integrated school library programs? In this article, the authors, first and foremost,…

Describes the school library media program in New Trier Township High School (Illinois) that uses collaboration to respond to the needs of students, staff, school, and the community. Highlights include collaboration to meet curricular needs; staff development for teachers and support staff; supporting school values; and community programs. (LRW)