CHANGING ROLE OF SCHOOL LIBRARIES IN THE 21ST CENTURY

A Presentation by: Neil Grimes, MLSSchool Library Media Specialist K-12, James M. Coughlin High School – Grades 9-12Wilkes-Barre Area School District

BRIEF HISTORY OF LIBRARIES Types of LibrariesSpecial – focused around a special theme or

person or subject area. (FDR Presidential Library, Hospital libraries, Law libraries)

Public – focused on providing resources and services to people of all ages in a community.

Academic – focused on providing resources and services to people within a specific university setting.

School – focused on providing resources and services to people within a K-12 setting.

BRIEF HISTORY OF LIBRARIES Libraries and librarians preserved and

organized our history by recording business transactions, events, personal accounts, thoughts, and ideas by hand.

Much of what we know about our world history is thanks in part to the work done by early record-keepers (accountants, lawyers) and librarians.

Only the wealthy were literate and had access to books.

Books were copied by hand.

MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPT

BRIEF HISTORY OF LIBRARIES Books were hand written and copied until the

invention of the movable type printing press by Johann Gutenberg, a German inventor, in 1436.

The Bible was the most mass produced book when the printing press was introduced.

Prior to the printing press, books held as much value as precious metals (gold and silver).

-We have come a long way from these valued early books. Coffee…

Books were chained to library shelves and library hours were limited.

To be a scholar in the past, one had to memorize entire books.

JOHANN GUTENBERG AND

THE PRINTING PRESS

BRIEF HISTORY OF LIBRARIES With the invention of the printing press, library

collections grew. John Milton became the first author to be both

published and paid with copy money (money paid per copy sold) for his book,

Paradise Lost in 1667. More libraries were founded. More than just the wealthy became literate. Opportunities for people to become educated

expanded over time. Books became less expensive and mobile.

Books were no longer chained to library shelves.

BRIEF HISTORY OF LIBRARIESLibraries in America 1st Subscription library, Library Company of

Philadelphia, was started in the American colonies by Ben Franklin in 1731.

Rise of public libraries which are available to all members of the public regardless of income, religion, race, or creed didn’t take place until the mid-late 1800s.

BEN FRANKLIN AND THE LIBRARY COMPANY OF PHILADELPHIA

THOMAS JEFFERSON AND LIBRARY CLASSIFICATION Libraries including the Library of Congress

used Jefferson’s Fixed Location system of organization until Melvil Dewey and Herbert Putnam changed the way that books were classified and organized in libraries.

BRIEF HISTORY OF LIBRARIESAMERICAN LIBRARIES 1874 - Critical Year in evolution of libraries and learning in

America. American Library Association was formed. Melvil Dewey published his decimal based system of classification.

This system is used by a majority of public and school libraries. United States Bureau of Education published its report, "Public

libraries in the United States of America; their history, condition, and management.“

During the post-Civil War years, there was a rise in the establishment of public libraries, a movement led chiefly by newly formed women's clubs. They contributed their own collections of books, conducted lengthy fund raising campaigns for buildings, and lobbied within their communities for financial support for libraries, as well as with legislatures and the Carnegie Library Endowment founded in the 20th century. They led the establishment of 75-80 percent of the libraries in communities across the country.

MELVIL DEWEYSYSTEM OF CLASSIFCIATION

000 – Computer science, information and general works100 – Philosophy and psychology200 – Religion300 – Social sciences400 – Language500 – Science (including mathematics)600 – Technology and applied Science700 – Arts and recreation800 – Literature900 – History, geography, and biography

HERBERT PUTNAM In 1897, Herbert Putnam (before he became

the Head Librarian of the Library of Congress) came up with the idea for the Library of Congress (LC) Classification System.

LC System is used primarily by academic libraries (including Wilkes University) and the Library of Congress.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS (LC) CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

Letter Subject area A General Works B Philosophy, Psychology, and Religion C Auxiliary Sciences of History D General and Old World History E History of America F History of the United States and British, Dutch, French, and Latin America G Geography, Anthropology, and Recreation H Social Sciences J Political Science K Law L Education M Music N Fine Arts P Language and Literature Q Science R Medicine S Agriculture T Technology U Military Science VNaval Science Z Bibliography, Library Science, and General Information Resources

BRIEF HISTORY OF LIBRARIES Rise of School libraries followed the rise of Public

Libraries across America. The size of a school library and its collection

depended upon the size of the school population and the wealth of the community supporting the school.

Some communities still had one room schoolhouses; therefore, they had a limited school library collection.

Public and school libraries encouraged the members of the communities which they served to be literate and to further their education.

Head librarians/ library managers (public libraries) were men. Almost all other librarians were women. Almost all school librarians were women.

BRIEF HISTORY OF LIBRARIES Present times -21st Century – Library services and resources in all

types of libraries (special, public, academic, and school) go digital in response to the digital age.

Web pages, Facebook pages, e-books, electronic databases, WiFi zoned buildings/spaces, and many more resources are available to library patrons.

Difficult economic times, create challenges for libraries providing services.

Librarians need to be tech-savvy and web savvy to meet the needs of the communities and people they serve.

More male librarians in the profession. Questions to ponder:Does all these mean the end of the print era and the need for

libraries and librarians?Will the current economic times force libraries to cut services to

America’s communities?What kinds of services will libraries and librarians provide to patrons

in the future?

BRIEF HISTORY OF LIBRARIES – SCHOOL LIBRARIES School libraries serve as centers of learning

within a school community. Over time, role of school librarian changes

from the information and book provider to instructor and instructional partner/collaborator.

SCHOOL LIBRARIESPURPOSES OF A SCHOOL LIBRARY To support and facilitate the research, learning,

teaching, and administrative activities of a school community.

To supply services and expertise that promote the effective use of library and information resources, including the teaching of transferable information skills.

To provide an appropriate and comfortable environment, accommodation and facilities for the use of library resources, and for individual and group study.

To encourage all members of the school community to become lifelong learners.

LOCATION OF A SCHOOL LIBRARY – LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Centralized place If students can’t easily locate their school

library, what is the likelihood that it will be used?

The school library is the heart of a school. It is a place where students should be made to feel welcome, encouraged, and supported in their academic endeavors.

SCHOOL LIBRARIES OF THE PAST – 1800S-1980S

A quiet library is the best kind of library. Shhh…. Traditional resources – print format – books Card catalog Manual cataloging Card receipt system Records kept through means of personal

handwriting and later a typewriter Records might be kept on microfilm/microfiche –

local newspapers, New York Times, Time magazine, etc. and would be searched manually by library users

Librarians – knowledgeable of resources available to students on-site in the library

Librarians – knowledgeable of latest technology, A/V expert

CARD CATALOG

SCHOOL LIBRARIES OF THE PAST – 1980S-2000

Computers and the World Wide Web enhance library functions. Libraries begin to share resources – Interlibrary loan Resources searchable by O.P.A.C. – online public access catalogs. Elimination of card catalog in favor of an Integrated Library

System (ILS) – Example – Follett Destiny. Traditional books take new form – as electronic books are

introduced. Online encyclopedias and databases are introduced and used as

information becomes digitized. School library websites are created to serve the needs of a

school community of diverse learners. Computer labs and printers within library media centers become

available to students to work on projects. Transferable technology and information literacy skills are taught

to students. School librarians take on many roles as school library media

specialists (technology expert, collaborator, etc.)…

FOLLETT DESTINY ONLINE CATALOG

SCHOOL LIBRARIES OF THE PRESENT – 2001-2011 Are no longer quiet… No more shhh…. In the past, students came to the library only to read,

conduct research or study. Today, students come to the library for some of the same

reasons but also some different ones- such as to work on projects, assignments, for help in creating a PowerPoint or creating a Works Cited page.

Incorporate technology – computer labs, portable laptop carts/labs, WiFi available for students to connect to the World Wide Web anywhere in the library.

Use traditional print sources – books and non-traditional sources – e-books, databases, and websites.

Serve multiple purposes for students. Librarians must be able to accommodate and multitask to

meet the many complex needs of their students and the entire school community.

MAKING THE CONNECTION – K-12 TO COLLEGE

Students will need to:

Know how to conduct independent research and work on group research projects.Know how to cite their sources (MLA, APA, Turabian).Know how to use traditional library resources – print encyclopedias and books.Know how to use online library resources – academic databases – ERIC, ProQuest, EBSCO, etc.Know their librarians name and how to contact them for help.

PROJECTS I HAVE HELPED STUDENTS/FACULTY WITH IN MY TIME AS A SCHOOL LIBRARIAN Graduation projects – helped students find research articles and other

forms of information on their topics. PowerPoint presentations Coughlin High School – Centennial Celebration

- Students researched the history of the school including the sports teams, student clubs/activities, principals, teachers, and famous alumni National History Day Projects – Collaborated with History Teachers at

Coughlin Research Papers – Broad topics – Collaborated with Teachers and

Students at Coughlin Literary Research Papers – Focused on Literary works – Collaborated

with Teachers and Students at CoughlinDIRECT CONNECTION It is essential to customize learning for students by collaborating with

one’s teaching colleagues. The school librarian is the perfect person for a classroom teacher to collaborate with to enhance instruction and encourage student achievement.

STORIES FROM THE TRENCHES OF A SCHOOL LIBRARY… Graduation Project – Windmills in Bear Creek Centennial Celebration of Coughlin – Student

Projects Co-worker – Doctoral Research

SCHOOL LIBRARIANS ARE THE KEY TO A SCHOOL’S SUCCESS

In this world of exponential information growthand continual technological advancement,schools need to shift from assessing passivememorization of facts to promoting the ability tofind and use information efficiently and effectively.

School librarians are the key players of a school community who link students, teachers and others to needed resources.

TODAY’S SCHOOL LIBRARIAN Teacher Instructional Partner/Collaborator with other

Teachers Information Specialist Program Administrator – The Planning and

Administration

SCHOOL LIBRARY PROGRAMS - ELEMENTS Flexible Scheduling Information Literacy Technology Governance/Management Staffing Resources Environment Research

A LOOK AT A MODERN SCHOOL LIBRARY –COUGHLIN HIGH SCHOOL, WILKES-BARRE, PA

Coughlin high school currently has 1,098 students in grades 9-12 and around 70 faculty members. All of these aforementioned students are required to write at a minimum 1 research paper per year, sometimes 2, and complete various different projects for their classes. It makes for a very busy year!

Students come to the library from study halls, may come down for library instruction with their class as scheduled, or may stay 8th period to work on classwork or a class project.

The library consists of one giant room with seating for 60-80 people. There is a copy room, library office, and a meeting room. There is a limited amount of space for storage.

Print and online resources are available for student usage. Computer lab – 15 computers are available for faculty/student

usage. Meeting room – used by Project Mom, TSS workers, Audiology

(Hearing) Specialist, Special Education teachers and ATP teacher for IEP meetings, and by School Psychologists.

Scanner and Copier available for faculty use. The library copier is the only copier for all faculty members. The copier constantly has “issues” just as any other machine does.

A LOOK AT A MODERN SCHOOL LIBRARIAN –COUGHLIN HIGH SCHOOL, WILKES-BARRE, PA

The job description should read one line – “Be very flexible and accomodating!”

Maintain copier that is used by around 70 faculty members Collaborate with teachers and other libraries/librarians on

projects. Assist students with projects and schoolwork on a daily

basis. Update and maintain student library records. Instruct students how to use the library website, search the

O.P.A.C. (Online public access catalog), how to use the Osterhout Public library’s site, etc.

Lend out VCRs, DVD players, CD players, overhead projectors, etc. to faculty. Call for repairs when necessary.

And the list of duties and responsibilities goes on… In addition to being the school library media Specialist at

Coughlin, I am also the National Honor Society advisor.

WHAT THE RESEARCH HAS SHOWN REGARDING SCHOOL LIBRARIESPennsylvania research study, MeasuringUp To Standards: The Impact of School LibraryPrograms & Information Literacy in

PennsylvaniaSchools (Lance) explored the effect that schoollibrary programs have on student academicachievement. The study (conducted in 2000) used data collected from more than 400 Pennsylvania schools. This study has been replicated in a number of other states with similar or even more positive findings.

WHAT THE RESEARCH HAS SHOWN The size of a school library’s staff and

collection is the best school predictor ofacademic achievement.

Among school and community predictors,the size of the school library staff andcollection is second only to the absence ofat-risk conditions, particularly poverty andlow educational attainment among adults.

Students who score higher on standardizedtests tend to come from schools with moreschool library staff and more books,periodicals, and videos regardless of other factors, including economic ones. PSSA (Pennsylvania System of SchoolAssessment) reading scores tend toincrease by 10 to 15 points when allschool library predictors are maximized.

WHAT THE RESEARCH HAS SHOWN The instructional role of the school librarian

guides collection development, and in turn, academic achievement.

School library expenditures affect schoollibrary staff and collection size and, in turn,academic achievement.

It is essential for a school library to be successful to have supportive school administrators and supportive faculty.

WHAT THE RESEARCH HAS SHOWN “In short, the findings of this study and

its predecessors support the beliefthat powerful school libraries – and librarians – do, indeed, makepowerful learners.”

– Lance, Keith Curry, Marcia J. Rodney, and Christine Hamilton Pennell, PowerfulLibraries Make Powerful Learners: The Illinois Study, 2005.

SCHOOL LIBRARIES AND THE CONNECTION TO ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Test scores increase as schoollibrarians spend more time: Teaching cooperatively with teachers. Teaching information literacy independently. Providing in-service training for teachers. Serving on a standards committee. Serving on a curriculum committee. Managing information technology.

CONNECTING WITH THE 21ST CENTURY LEARNER Students are hands-on learners. It is essential to have

learning be hands-on. Students are visual learners. Students need one-on-one customized instruction. Students need to learn transferable life skills, not just

memorize concepts or ideas to be globally competitive. Educators need to be patient, tech-savvy, web-savvy,

and be willing to engage in professional development throughout their careers.

Educators need to be creative in how they instruct students.

Educators need to collaborate with other teachers in their building (especially their school librarian), district, state, and nation to enhance the teaching and learning of students.

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION(ALA)-AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL LIBRARIANS (AASL) STANDARDS FORTHE 21ST CENTURY LEARNER STANDARDS provide Framework for learning on a K-12 level.Students will be able to: Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge. Draw conclusions, make informed decisions,

apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge.

Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society.

Pursue personal and aesthetic growth. Available at

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/guidelinesandstandards/learningstandards/standards.cfm

EVERY LIBRARY NEEDS A WEBSITECOUGHLIN LIBRARY WEBSITE

Coughlin library website - Coughlin High School Library Website

Websites are always a work in progress… Should be customized to fit the needs of an

individual librarian or teacher and the overall needs of a school.

21ST CENTURY LEARNINGEVERY CLASSROOM NEEDS A WEBSITE… Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) through its

Standards Aligned System (SAS) portal provides all Pennsylvania Educators K-12 as well as University/College Professors with their own pre-formatted website as well as an individual ePortfolio (storage space) provided they register as a user.

PDE SAS is the framework for education in Pennsylvania with its central focus on student achievement.

As educators continue to educate students in the digital era, they will need to provide opportunities for students to learn digitally.

Learning platforms like PDE SAS, Moodle, Blackboard, TeacherWeb, and others will allow teachers to educate students beyond the physical boundaries of their classroom and the daily allocated time for class.

All teachers will be supporting and educating students and preparing them to compete in a global society.

21ST CENTURY TEACHING AND LEARING- A LOOK AT THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE… PDE SAS Moodle Blackboard

SCHOOL LIBRARIES OF THE 21ST CENTURY-THE FUTURE – LOOKING AHEAD

Libraries will be more interactive- eReader friendly (Kindle, Nook, Smartphones, iPads, etc.) provide computers with touch screen monitors, touch screen laptops, iPads.

The role of librarians will continue to grow, not only in school libraries but all library settings.

Librarians will continue to answer student questions on a one-on-one basis. Cell phones may even be permitted in schools one day and in some schools

they are permitted. Libraries will be more digitized. There will be less books and more

computers. Libraries will have vast e-book collections. *Textbooks will be in an e-book format with interactive activities for students.

The digitization of libraries will lead to more open spaces and the construction of smaller school libraries.

E-book readers may become available for student use in libraries as the cost goes down.

Databases and websites will continue to be used for student research. Instant Messaging Reference Service may be provided to students. This

service is already available at most colleges/universities such as at the University of Scranton.

Construction of Library learning modules (through Moodle, Blackboard, PowerPoint, library websites) to teach students specific skills.

The possibilities are truly endless as long as the funding is there…

SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALISTS

OF THE 21ST CENTURY Be tech savvy. Be effective communicators. Be able to accommodate diverse learners in a

number of different ways (apply Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligences).

Be student centered. Be supportive and collaborative within the school

setting. Be able to collaborate with other

libraries/librarians in a region. Be current on the field of education and

librarianship. Be flexible and open to change.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL BE IN THE SCHOOL LIBRARY OF THE FUTURE?

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WORKS CITEDLance, Keith C. Measuring Up to Standards

Findings. Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Department of Education, Feb. 2000. PDF.

Office of Commonwealth Libraries. Pennsylvania School Libraries: Key Players in Education. Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Department of Education, Feb. 2007. PDF.

ANY QUESTIONS??? Time for questions…