Why are the AASL Standards so important? Simply put, they give us a focus for what our students need to learn. AASL’s National School Library Standards provide guidance for individual states as they determine what their state standards should be…. Read More ›
Collaboration is a wonderful thing for school librarians because there are so many opportunities for collaboration with fellow educators, students, administrators, and the community. School librarians can become leaders in their school communities through collaboration. Collaboration can take many forms,… Read More ›
Looking for more guidance on intellectual freedom and equitable access? Check out Jamie Gregory’s online exclusive article “The Freedom to Learn.” In the article Jamie states that “successful implementation of the National School Library Standards requires widespread application of principles… Read More ›
Intellectual freedom is a core value of the library profession. It is not an outdated, rarely thought about core value; it is a living tenet that allows for the promotion and protection of ideas from all viewpoints and access to… Read More ›
Reading is so important. It is a life skill that children must master to have success in the world. As author Mary Pope Osborne has said, “Reading is the basic springboard for learning. And books provide the liftoff. They are… Read More ›
In the March/April issue of Knowledge Quest, contributing authors Barbara Stripling, Suzanna Panter, Naomi Giles, and I offer stories, strategies, and testimonies of successful advocacy practices—ideas with universal appeal—that show the impact of a well-funded, strong school library. To be… Read More ›
When school libraries are safe spaces, we model the Include Shared Foundation, and school libraries can transform their school communities as learners feel not just safe, but also seen, included, respected, and appreciated. While the many ways school libraries serve… Read More ›
Curating a digital collection for all learners provides students with the opportunity to Think, Grow, Create, and Share. One of the Common Beliefs at the forefront of the AASL Standards is, “Information technologies must be appropriately integrated and equitably available.”… Read More ›
I don’t know about you, but I love library conferences! I love the energy that fills a room of school librarians who are sharing and learning from and with each other. New innovative ideas are everywhere you turn, and school… Read More ›
So often in education, we focus on the end-game: summative assessments, finals, standardized tests, graduation. We’re always asking ourselves, “Did they learn it?” However, learning is never really finished; it’s a journey that continues regardless of what milestones we pass…. Read More ›