Council of Great City SchoolsLibrarians Group

Host: Chicago Public SchoolsPaul Whitsitt, Director

Chicago Public Schools District Information

CPS Web site www.cps.edu (parent/student focus)650+ Schools; 408,000 Students; 24,000 teachers67 charter schoolsK-8, 9-12 model, but variations increasing

CPS Student Demographics FY2008-09

African-American: 46.2%  Latino: 41.2% White: 8.9% Asian/Pacific Islander: 3.5%Multi-Racial: 2.9%Native American: 0.2%84.3% from low-income families13.3% are limited-English-proficient68% of elementary students meet/exceed state reading standards (2009)31% high school students meet/exceed in reading (2008)

Snapshot of CPS Librarian Workforce

Approximately 550 teacher-staffed libraries and 500 teacher librariansApproximately 100 HS and 400 K-8 librarians20 have achieved National Board Certification in Library MediaAll HS librarians have masters in library scienceHowever, almost half of elementary librarians are certified teachers without library certification or endorsement

CPS Department of Libraries Vision Statement

All students and staff in the Chicago Public Schools are effective users of ideas and information, competent and enthusiastic

readers, independent learners, and positive contributors to the school

community and to society.

Role of the CPS Department of Libraries

Librarian DevelopmentAdministrator Advocacy Print and Electronic ResourcesReading Motivation ProgramsGrants AdministrationProfessional Library ServicesRecruitment / Placement

Area Library CoordinatorsConnie Amon - 1, 2, 3, AutomationKC Boyd - 16, 17, 18 and Mayor Daley

Book ClubDorsey Chambers - 11,14,15 and

Battle of the BooksFrancelia M. Herron - 10,12,13 and

Recruitment Grants (IMLS)Maria Rodriguez – 7,8 and BudgetMerril V. Stegall - 4, 6, 9 and

Certification / PlacementLisa E. Perez, All High Schools,

Professional Library, HS MDBC

CPS Library ChallengesScheduling / Access HoursBudgeting (School and Central Office levels)Professional StaffingCollectionsTechnology Integration

Recent, Current, and Coming CPS “Libraries” Achievements

Librarian Learning CommunitiesCentralized automation launchDOE, IMLS and Local library grantsExpansion of Mayor Daley Book Club reading motivation programNew endorsement “waiver” procedureComing – New librarian evaluation tool!

CPS Department of Libraries Wiki http://cpslibraries.wikispaces.com/