Teachers and school librarians know that giving students the freedom to choose what to read from a variety of materials is the most effective way to foster a love of reading. Curiosity, pre-existing interests, or even a desire for connection cause students to reach for books that inform instead of entertain. But a genre of books is often left out…

Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) is the second largest school district in Tennessee. With 159 schools, 79,651 students, and 126 languages spoken, the student population is incredibly diverse, not only culturally but also socio-economically. MNPS shifted to virtual learning in late March 2020 on the heels of devastating tornadoes that ripped…

As K-12 schools strive to enhance education for their students while enabling educators to focus on core competencies, schools must look toward strategic partnerships with outside groups and organizations. Partnerships with families, libraries, museums, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and subject matter experts hold the promise of a brighter…

This article discusses how the author, Kay Waitman, provided a safe and welcome environment in her school's library, by creating an "Our Languages" collection of books in the first languages of all her students, from Espanõl to Hmong to Yup'ik Eskimo. She also partnered with a local furniture store, Scan Home, to create a large, cozy…

This article discusses how the Kindness Initiative at the Dr. Michael Conti School in Jersey City, New Jersey, where the author is the school librarian and a literacy support teacher, promotes a climate where students feel accepted. As they progress from pre-K through middle school, students are exposed to social justice literature designed to get…

In many locales--in many states--early conceptions of the school librarian's job have not evolved over the years even as the duties have expanded exponentially. The fact that in some districts outdated evaluation tools, such as Georgia's 1990 system, are still used to rate 21st-century school librarians is an obvious sign of the misconceptions…

Kelly Klober, the school librarian for Danville's (Arkansas) sole elementary school, provides school library services for the school's three hundred and twenty-five students. With the help and support of the learners, faculty and staff, and the community-at-large, together they have transformed the school library from a place that houses books…

A large district has some unique challenges when planning support for a reflective growth process around implementing the "National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries." This type of setting typically has a wide variety of school demographics, budgetary constraints, school library staffing…

As part of the national Future Ready Librarians initiative at the Alliance for Excellent Education, Mark Ray and Shannon McClintock Miller serve as national advocates for school library programs and librarians. Mark and Shannon began their library advocacy careers in school libraries. For eight years, Shannon was the district librarian in Van…

The passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) offered a significant opportunity for school librarians; it also created opportunities to partner with school librarians on their efforts to be included in their states' educational plans. This three-part article explores the development and rollout of the American Association of School…

Gaining professional experience for pre-service school librarians is essential and can be accomplished through curriculum requirements such as practicums, internships, or field experiences. These experiences are designed to prepare school librarians for active professional roles by providing an environment in which they can put classroom theories…

Although their research agendas may vary widely, school library researchers from around the world share the common goal of conducting studies designed to advance the field of school librarianship. International school library scholars are united in their efforts to prove that quality school library programs can have a significant impact on student…

The mission of the Peace Corps (PC) is to promote world peace and friendship. This is accomplished through meeting three goals: (1) To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women; (2) To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served; and (3) To help promote a better…

What is the future of urban school libraries? The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) "National School Library Standards" offer a framework for school librarians to reflect on how they can tailor their professional practice to serve their specific school communities. Through the lens of the standards, school librarians can…

The Colorado Study (Lance, Wellborn, and Hamilton-Pennell 1993) and its many replications in other states have demonstrated that when educators and learners had access to a qualified school librarian in the context of a thoughtfully built, adequately resourced, technology rich, and widely accessible school library, learners tended to flourish on…