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ILS 693

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA CENTERS

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Investigation of political and social issues affecting school libraries on local, state and national levels. Option to complete fieldwork to broaden personal experience and perspective in the management of school libraries. Students may choose/combine 1 unit options of learning modules or fieldwork to complete requirements for 3 units of credit.


COURSE OBJECTIVES/STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • Identify contemporary issues that directly affect performance of professional duties in school library media centers, at local, state and national levels.
  • Examine the potential for active involvement to advance or manage situations arising from identified issues.
  • Develop effective strategies and resources to use in school libraries to support professional interactions and contributions to the larger school community.
  • Perform fieldwork to broaden professional knowledge and reflect on the performance of best practices in a variety of settings. Option is strongly encouraged for those who have not worked in a school library media center. 

 

COURSE OUTLINE : MODULES


I. Advocacy in School Libraries
Advocating for the school library will increase  visibility and effectiveness. In the current political and budgetary climate, effective advocacy is essential to all successful school library programs. Resources, approaches and "talking points" for local, state and national advocacy will be developed.


II. Public Library - School Library Collaborative Partnerships
Public Libraries and School Libraries share the same concerns in supporting students, with different strengths and common goals. Collaborative partnerships can leverage the contributions of each institution and provide the potential to reach out to the larger school community.

III. Evidence Based Practice
EBP offers school librarians a path to substantiating the value of the school library through gathering evidence of the effects on student learning. Models for conducting and sharing existing research, and effective approaches to gathering valid "evidence" will be presented.

IV. Field Experience
The field experience(s) may be scheduled at any time during the semester. Each 50 hours counts as one unit. Students work with practicing school librarians. 

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Specific course requirements and assignments are described in the course syllabus. Course assignments allow students to demonstrate achievement of stated student learning outcomes for this course.

 

SUGGESTED TEXTS / TEXTS USED IN THE PAST

The Visible Librarian: Asserting Your Value with Marketing and Advocacy
Judith A. Siess (latest edition)

School and Public Libraries: The Natural Alliance
Natalie Reif Ziarnik (latest edition)

We Boost Achievement!: Evidence Based Practice For School Library Media Specialists
David Loertscher and Ross Todd (latest edition)
 

 

Approved by the ILS Department Curriculum Committee and Faculty, Spring 2009.