The goal of the Principal Project, funded by ILILE, was to collect and disseminate resources to help administrators to better understand the role of the certified library media specialist and the importance of a strong library media program. Administrative support is vital to developing and maintaining a quality school library program. These resources offer ideas and suggestions for working closely with your school administrator to ensure that your program has a positive impact on teaching and learning.
Research for this project was coordinated by Ann E. Tepe.
Recommended Readings on School Libraries
Build a rich understanding of what a quality school library program in the 21st century looks like, and how it functions to support teaching and learning.
Recommended Readings Online
Literacy Partners: a Principal’s Guide to an Effective Library Media Program for the 21st Century
Discusses critical questions :
As Principal, what should I know about library media services?
As Principal, what should I know about information literacy instruction?
Alabama State Board of Education, 1999.
Link to PDF
Powerful Partnerships: The School Library Media Specialist and You
PDF Brochure for Administrators about school libraries meeting the demands of NCLB.
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2006.
Link to PDF
Creating a Digital-Age School Library
Article by Connie Champlin, David Loertscher and B.J. Eib. Spotlights two exemplary high school library media centers and how they moved into the digital age. 2004.
Principal's Manual for Your School Library Media Program
American Association of School Librarian’s brochure written for administrators about planning and assessing the school library program. Available in PDF format or by purchase from AASL. 2000.
21st Century Learning and Information Literacy
By Patricia Senn Breivik, Change, 00091383, Mar/Apr2005, Vol. 37, Issue 2, p20-27, 8p, 1 chart, 1 diagram, 1c, (AN 16373242). Discusses various aspects of information literacy in the 21st century, where it should be taught and the presence of information literacy in the work environment.
Available in Ohio to K-12 educators through INFOhio. You must be logged in to access via these links.
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Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning
These national school library guidelines are a joint publication of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) 1998. AASL is currently revising these standards.
Online Resource
The National Educational Technology Standards (NETS)
NETS provides performance indicators of what students should know about and be able to do with technology. The second edition of the standards was released September, 2007. An initiative of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).
Online Resource
Recommended Readings Books
The Principal's Guide To A Powerful Library Media Program
By Marla W. McGhee and Barbara A. Jansen. Linworth Publishing, 2005. Written by a principal and a school library media specialist, this book shares suggestions, tips and best practices for working together to have an effective library program.
National Standards and Guidelines
Quality school library programs rely on these national standards for guidance in program management, the instructional role of the school librarian and integration of technology.
