The Future of School Librarianship: Review of Research & Implications for Practice June 28, 2006
Posted by fharris in : ALA2006 , trackbackOn Sunday, we heard from three researchers about the future of school librarianship. Keith Curry Lance, Director of the Library Research Service at the Colorado State Library, gave an overview of recently released studies (New York, Wisconsin, Minnesota, etc.) and some of the state research efforts that are currently in progress (Indiana, Colorado, Delaware, etc.). He also summarized information from new articles appearing in the new volume of School Library Media Research. Links to information about the state studies can be found on the LRS website at http://lrs.org/impact.asp. Collective findings? When school librarians participate in educational reform efforts and school cultural change, dramatic things happen.
Keith was followed by David Loertscher, a professor at the School of Library and Information Science at San Jose State University. David spoke about effective data collection. What’s the most important kind of data to collect and share with administrators? NOT how many books you’ve shelved. Instead, focus on the data that shows student achievement. He challenged us to use existing data and apply it to library issues, noting that the number one use of computers in schools is for data mining. Make friends with the person who does data in your school or district!
Donna Shannon, a professor at the School of Library and Information Science at the University of South Carolina, then discussed her research on the recruitment of students to the USC school library media program and reviews of the program. She studied the “stakeholder” perspective, stakeholders being defined as program completers, current students, internship supervisors, district supervisors, human resource directors, and school principals. The data she has collected is helping the department improve its program and increase recruitment and retention rates.
Tag: ala2006
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