School library media specialists: An evolving profession in a pandemic

In March 2020, Michigan’s school library media specialists, along with the entire educational community, found themselves facing unprecedented challenges brought by the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. As learning shifted online, the roles of school library media specialists shifted as well. Three southeast Michigan school library media specialists were interviewed to obtain their perspectives regarding the adaptation to distance learning, as well as how they predicted educational practices will evolve going forward. The educational practices of learning commons, guided inquiry, co-teaching, and information literacy were found to be particularly valuable during the shift to distance learning. The increased dependence on these practices during the pandemic will likely result in increased implementation of these practices when face-to-face learning resumes.

An Interdisciplinary Model for Assessing Learning

During the 1994-95 school year the Kansas Association of School Librarians Research Committee conducted a literature review and held a two-day summer institute to develop an interdisciplinary model for assessing learning across the curriculum. Participating were teachers, administrators, library media specialists, and Kansas State Board of Education curriculum specialists. During the 1995-96 school year the committee presented the model to teachers and library media specialists at professional meetings and workshops for reactions. The model has been revised and is being tested in Kansas schools during the 1996-97 school year. The model is based on the “Big Six” model for information problem-solving by Eisenberg and Berkowitz (1990) and is derived from an analysis of Kansas content standards for language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, reading, and library media. The model divides student assignments in these six subject areas into five parts, using terminology from the standards for each subject. Rubrics have been developed for each of the five parts of an assignment. This paper will recount development of the model, delineate elements of the model, reveal preliminary findings of the current research project which tests the model, and discuss implications for implementing the model.

Building Understanding of the Information Search Process Through Student Journal Writing

How is information transformed into knowledge? As library media specialists, our challenge is to help young people move from mechanics to meaning making in the information search process. This qualitative research study examined how journal writing reflected both the cognitive understandings and the affective expressions of students as they progressed through assigned research projects. The investigation, which was conducted at two elementary schools in Hawaii, also addressed how journal writing influenced modifications made in library instruction and how the journals affected librarians' one-on-one interaction with students. Research methodology employed, related studies examined, and findings discovered are described in this paper.

Knowledge Building Through Multiple Literacy Learning

In the 'knowledge society' increasing emphasis is being placed on independent, resource-based and technology-based inquiry learning. This learning process requires teacher librarians/library media specialists and their teaching teams to have access to an expanding range of curriculum information and teaching/learning methodologies. An outcomes approach to learning in regard to a sequential, developmental and progressive learning of information literacy skills within an information processing framework has been on the agenda and actively pursued by teacher librarians/library media specialists for more than a decade. In addition, teacher librarians/library media specialists have embraced information and communication technologies (ICT) as a means to extend the information literacy skills of their learners. An information skills framework becomes the backbone and 'vehicle' through which learners are able to demonstrate what they know and can do within an outcomes-based curriculum. This inquiry approach is the 'linch-pin' across the curriculum. Combine this with a recognized information skills, and information and communication technology (ICT) continuum, one has the beginnings of a progressive and development outcomes curriculum, which works on increasing levels of sophistication and complexity of tasks. In planning a unit of work the information skills framework provides the backbone to sequence the learning activities according to an inquiry-based approach. The tools and methodologies one uses to activate learning within this framework encourages and fosters the development of information literacy attributes and provides opportunity to engage in ICT skills development. School based planning of information literacy in conjunction with an outcomes approach to the curriculum facilitates an informative reporting process for students, as well as parents, as learners continue the journey through lifelong learning in the 'knowledge society'.

School Media Programs and Middle Grades Science Achievement: Results of a Study Performed in Michigan, USA

This paper describes a research study, completed in late 2004, in which the researcher examined the relationship between school media programs and science achievement in grade 8 students in Michigan schools. This paper reports the results of a mixed method sequential explanatory study undertaken to uncover the connection between school media programs and science achievement as well as the factors present in the relationships between school library media specialists and science teachers that encourage student achievement on state-mandated standardized tests.

An investigation into the teaching of information literacy skills by teachers in New Zealand secondary schools

There is very little research looking at how much teachers from any country actually know about information literacy and at how they develop information literacy skills with their students. This contrasts research in recent years which focuses on the influence that school libraries, teacher librarians and/or library media specialists have on student learning. For some time international government and educational bodies, including New Zealand, have recognised that all citizens need skills and processes to enable them to become information literate. This paper reports on findings from a research project which investigated the understanding, knowledge and teaching of information literacy processes of secondary teachers from five urban co-educational state secondary schools.

Increasing Science Literacy through Collaboration between Teachers and School Library Media Specialists

This paper presents current research, and complementary perspectives on how and why interdisciplinary collaboration efforts contribute to positive outcomes for student science achievement. Undergraduate students, practising science teachers, and school library media specialists are included in this discussion.

School Libraries Serving Disadvantaged Populations in the USA

School library media specialists in the United States were surveyed to determine their perceptions of the most critical needs in their school libraries. The purpose of the survey was to develop information to be shared with grant-making agencies and foundations to provide suggestions in determining how money might be appropriated for spending. Results of the survey may also be used to compare the priorities of the general population of school library media specialists with those of specific subsets, such as those serving disadvantaged populations.

Librarians' Perceptions of the Greatest Needs in School Libraries

School library media specialists in the United States were surveyed to determine their perceptions of the most critical needs in their school libraries. The purpose of the survey was to develop information to be shared with grant-making agencies and foundations to provide suggestions in determining how money might be appropriated for spending. Results of the survey may also be used to compare the priorities of the general population of school library media specialists with those of specific subsets, such as those serving disadvantaged populations.

Perception Is (as) Reality

It is the goal of this chapter is to explore the challenges inherent to a “post-fact” society through the lens of the school public information specialist and the library media specialist. The role of the school public information officer (PIO) has changed with the proliferation of opinion as “fact” on the internet and social media. Educating the public on all school-related matters, PIOs must be media-literate, effective content consumers and content generators, with the skills to gauge and predict the opinions of their voting public. Similarly, library media specialists tasked with educating students as consumers of information in the fast-paced, “on demand” digital age requires an understanding of their evolving role as content generators. Effective media literacy instruction encompasses more than simply using technology and electronic media in the educational setting. Rather, it begins with the understanding that students are ill equipped to critically evaluate the electronic mediums they so closely identify with.