School Libraries and Student Learning
A Guide for School Leaders
Rebecca J. Morris
paper, 232 Pages
Pub. Date: August 2015
ISBN-13: 978-1-61250-836-8
Price: $32.00
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Innovative, well-designed school library programs can be critical resources for helping students meet high standards of college and career readiness. In School Libraries and Student Learning, Rebecca J. Morris shows how school leaders can make the most of their school libraries to support ambitious student learning. She offers practical strategies for collaboration between school leaders, teachers, and librarians to meet schoolwide objectives in literacy, assessment, student engagement, and inquiry-based learning.
Topics include:
-establishing “makerspaces” and “learning commons” to support student-centered learning;
-developing a schoolwide focus on literacy across multiple formats and devices;
-redesigning lesson plans that foster inquiry and critical thinking across classrooms and grade levels;
-supporting collaboration between teachers and librarians in instruction and assessment; and
-using the library to strengthen ties between school, family, and community.
This accessible guide will help librarians and school leaders work together to bring student learning to a new level.
Praise
Rebecca Morris’s book is perfect for school administrators who are looking to improve their school libraries. A particular strength is the way she maps the AASL standards and guidelines to ambitious goals for student learning and school leadership to show how all educators in a school—librarians, administrators, and teachers—can work together to support student learning.
— Terri Grief, president 2014–2015, American Association of School Librarians
This engaging and informative book provides an excellent overview of what successful school library programs look like, as well as the ways that school librarians contribute to student achievement. From authentic vignettes to strategies and checklists, the author offers school leaders practical and timely ideas for improving their schools through the development of quality school libraries and library programs.
— Karen W. Gavigan, associate professor, School of Library and Information Science, University of South Carolina
Rebecca Morris highlights the benefits of strong library programs in meeting the needs of twenty-first-century learners. She challenges school leaders to examine the school librarian’s role, and shows how common beliefs and themes provide the foundation for collaboration between administrators, teachers, and school librarians.
— Amy M. Burch, superintendent, Brentwood Borough School District, Pennsylvania
Finally, a text that speaks two languages—school administrator and school librarian—and brings the languages into one student success-driven vernacular. Rebecca Morris has created a rich, thought-provoking resource for keeping school libraries at the center of every vibrant learning community.
— Steven Yates, instructor and distance education coordinator, School of Library and Information Studies, University of Alabama
This book articulates an innovative conception of the positive influence libraries can exert on academic achievement in today’s schools. At a time when the educational curriculum is restricted to that which is measured by standardized tests, school librarians can collaborate with their teaching brethren to infuse knowledge, creativity, and leadership throughout the K-12 curriculum.
— Jose Montelongo, Teachers College Record
The book will assist school principals and other educational leaders in designing ways to further support cross-curricular literacy and teach informational responsibility.
— Edythe B. Austermuhl, School Administrator
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About the Author
Rebecca J. Morris, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Library and Information Studies of the School of Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She earned her doctoral and master’s degrees at the University of Pittsburgh. Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Science degree from The Pennsylvania State University.
Rebecca has a professional background as an elementary classroom teacher and school librarian. She currently teaches graduate courses in school library curriculum, children’s materials and services, and digital media production. Her research interests include educational preparation of school librarians and digital storytelling.
She is an active member and committee leader within the American Association of School Librarians, a division of the American Library Association. Rebecca and her husband, Brian, live in Charlotte, North Carolina.