School Libraries Work! 2016

Among the many exciting events at AASL National in Columbus was Scholastic’s release of the 2016 edition of School Libraries Work! 

You’ll want to keep this important advocacy tool on hand and share copies with administrators, board members, teachers, parents, students.

The downloadable document, builds on the 2008 edition,  collecting and highlighting more than 30 separate national and state research studies pointing to the impact of school libraries and librarians on teaching and learning and proving that when school librarians are cut, student achievement suffers.

Over the years, in its four editions, School Libraries Work has armed stakeholders who care about the role of libraries in a school’s learning culture with the most powerful research-based frameworks, recommendations, and support.

The new document collects the work of Carol Kuhlthau,  Keith Curry Lance and Ross Todd,  You’ll find new research from Colorado, South Carolina and Pennsylvania, highlights from 25 states and one province.

Reaching beyond the state level, School Libraries Work shares findings from the National Center for Literacy Education, as well as School Library Journal’s analysis of the relationship between librarian staffing and the National Assessments of Educational Progress fourth-grade reading scores.  In addition, the document is filled with visuals and quotes to use in any local advocacy effort.

I was honored to attend the reception where John Schumacher, Scholastic’s Ambassador of School Libraries (who BTW teaches with me at Rutgers) shared:

The modern school librarian plays many roles within a school and is an invaluable resource for literacy instruction, the integration of technology and so much more.  Through School Libraries Work!, Scholastic is amplifying the call to support school libraries by bringing together in one resource the wealth of knowledge available that proves the clear and positive impact of school librarians and libraries.

Download your copy of School Libraries Work! 

Filed under: advocacy, school librarians, school libraries