This document summarizes a presentation on the relevance of school libraries. It discusses how school library research has shown that school libraries contribute to student achievement, have an important role in teaching, and inspire literacy. It also provides examples of school library success stories and initiatives in different countries to support the development of school libraries. The presentation emphasizes that school librarians should be given professional development opportunities and support to remain relevant in their role of helping students become lifelong learners.

1. Being Relevant
In a Time
of Constant Change
A Special Session on School Libraries
The 32nd ASDAL Conference, Cavite
Zarah C. Gagatiga
http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com
zarah.gagatiga@gmail.com

2. Talking Points
* On being relevant
* School library success stories
* School library research says...
* From theory to practice
* Looking back
* Looking ahead
* You are relevant!
http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com

3. On relevance
I like you.
You're relevant.
- Simon Cowell

4. School library success
stories

5. School library success
stories

6. School library success
stories

7. School library success
stories

8. School library success
stories
Libraries are our
future.
- Neil Gaiman

9. School library success
stories
...librarians are almost as important as the libraries
themselves. They are teachers just like any other….By
giving librarians sufficient funds, schools are also giving
them the means to buy the books and tools that
complement the curriculum.
In my experience, the librarian has been a friend.
They listen to what students have to say about specific
books or series, and they work to serve the students by
stocking the library with the books they know the kids
like to read.
-- Madeleine Rex

10. School library success
stories

11. School library research
says...
School Libraries Work!
- 19 US States and 1 Canadian Province
- Two decades of school library research
- Lance, Todd, Kuhlthau, Smith, et. al.
- National Commission for Library and
Information Science, US (2007)

12. School Libraries Work!
a. School libraries contribute to student
achievement.
b. School libraries have an important role in
teaching.
c. School libraries are leading the way for
technology use in schools.
d. School libraries inspire literacy.
e. School libraries don't matter without certified
librarians.

13. School Libraries Work!
Resolution:
School libraries be given and provided with up to date
resources from print and nonprint materials;
School librarians or school library media specialist be given
a "highly qualified" classification;
Every school library be staffed by a highly qualified, state
certified school library media specialist.

14. Critical literature review
UK Study - Williams, Cole and Wavell (2002)
Teacher and librarian collaboration;
Quality and variety of collection;
Adequate funding;
Flexible provisions of the library’s services and programs;
Quality and frequency of library input and participation in
support of teaching and learning;
Qualified library staff;
Standards to enhance effective teaching and learning
experiences.

15. Critical literature review
Australian version of the study (Lonsdale,2003)
...information literacy skills integration in the
curriculum and strong computer network
connecting the library to the classroom.
PRINT RICH ENVIRONMENT & FREE and
VOLUNTARY VISITS

16. From theory to practice
- The Philippine IASL Regional Conference
Librarianship Act in Bacolod, April 2012
RA 9246
- Private school librarians in
- DepEd School Library attendance
Guidelines, no. 56, s 2011 - Where are the public
school librarians?
- Robust Professional
Learning Network and - The great divide exist
Community

17. From theory to practice
Book Mobile Project - De La PASLI - K-12 Forum
Salle School System May 18, 2012
- Public school and private - Who is the school librarian
school librarians working in the K-12 program?
together School Library Instruction
Program
MUNTIPARLAS - Librarian a. Information Literacy Skills
storytellers to public school Instruction/Guided Inquiry
children - Ateneo HS MC
b. Lexile & AEP -
NGO projects on school Assumption College, GS &
library development HS

18. From theory to practice
IFLA School Library IFLA & IASL report:
Manifesto (2002) Portugal - library for toddlers
Honduras - librarians'
"A Library in Every School" training
Sweden - school library
UNESCO - The Literacy development
Decade Nigeria - school libraries as
venues of literacy
Media Literacy Curriculum development
Information Literacy and Thailand - TK Reading
Media Literacy Conference & Book Festival

19. Looking back
School libraries are a
recent invention. The school library, in this
event of changes and
shifting paradigms, has
Legislation for school moved emphasis from
library development collection development to
student centered services to
(US, 1835) the development of lifelong
learning skills (a belief
Melvil Dewey - system).
brought order in chaos

20. Looking ahead
SR Ranganathan 1. Libraries serve humanity.
2. Respect all forms by
1. Books are for use. which knowledge is
2. Every reader his [or communicated.
her] book. 3. Use technology
3. Every book its reader. intelligently to enhance
service.
4. Save the time of the
reader. 4. Protect free access to
knowledge.
5. The library is a growing
organism. 5. Honor the past and
create the future.
-- Gorman and Crawford

21. The Role of the School
Librarian
Three Key Ideas: Teacher
Collaboration Instructional Planner
Leadership Instructional
Technologist
Technology
Library Systems
Manager

22. You are RELEVANT
a. Take care of yourself
b. Know your heart's desire or passion
c. Follow your passion. Life will reward you. However, you
have to truly reflect to know your desire and passion. In
other words, discern.
d. Heed the call of universal goodness.
e. Be a lifelong learner.