Articles
Ballard, S. (2012). ALA Presidential Task Force: Focus on School Libraries. School Library Monthly, 28(6), 15-17.
- The article offers information on the status of school library programs that contribute to student achievement in the U.S. which is the primary focus of the American Library Association (ALA). It states that the lack of understanding of the importance of library programs to student development has led to job and budget cuts in school libraries. On that note, ALA initiated activities that promote public awareness on libraries and student achievement through the ALA School Library Task Force.*
Everhart, N. (2013). Defining a Vision of Outstanding School Libraries. Teacher Librarian, 41(1), 14.
- The article looks at the findings of the "VisionTours" conducted by the American Association of School Librarians in 2010-2011, wherein 35 school library programs throughout the U.S. were visited to collect data augmented by interviews and observation. Among of the attributes found to be shared by outstanding school library programs are leadership, learning space, and reading. The significant look provided by the findings and analysis to the effective library programs is discussed.*
Gruenthal, H. (2012). A School Library Advocacy Alphabet. Young Adult Library Services, 11(1), 13-18.
- The article offers a guide for school library advocacy focused on teen programs. It defines and explains advocacy, branding as a marketing strategy, the importance of community collaborations when designing programs, the significance of documenting programs, and having an elevator pitch to educate others about the value of the library within the community. It discusses the role of frontline advocacy in teen interactions, the advantage of giving promotional materials, being helpful to others, and informing others about teen services as a public relations effort. Other measures recommended are to be knowledgeable about a curriculum, being an instructional leader, designing programs that meet teenage needs, fostering teen ownership and supporting joint programs of school and public library.*
Hartzell, G. (2012). Why Doesn't School Library Impact Research Have More Influence on School Leaders?. Library Media Connection, 31(2), 18-19.
- The author explores the lack of influence from school library impact research on the funding for school libraries. He examines the impact of publishing in minor journals, the school administrators' perceptions of impact research, and communication channels between school library advocates and administrators.*
Higher test scores linked to certified library media specialists in schools. (2008). Reading Today, 25(5), 44.
- The article reports on the effects of schools which had certified library media specialist to the scores of the students who are taking the English Language Arts test. According to the study conducted by Ruth Small and graduate students from the Center for Digital Literacy (CDL), library media specialists have a positive effect on the students' achievement.
Kachel, D. E., & Lance, K. (2013). Librarian Required. School Library Journal, 59(3), 28.
- The article discusses research by the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association (PSLA) with the education advocacy group Education Law Center (ELC) about the impact of school librarians on academic achievement, according to their report "Pennsylvania School Libraries Pay Off: Investments in Student Achievement and Academic Standards." Topics include research about school library programs, their impact on minority students, as well as the impact of library programs on reading test scores.
Kerr, E. (2011). Engaging the Decision-Makers and the Influencers. Teacher Librarian, 38(3), 69-71.
- Kerr advises readers to engage principals and other decision-makers in the library through several methods such as inviting them to library conferences, creating library presentations to parents and the community together, and crossing over into events that are not typically library events.
Krashen, S., Syying, L., & McQuillan, J. (2010). An Analysis of the PIRLS (2006) Data: Can the School Library Reduce the Effect of Poverty on Reading Achievement?. CSLA Journal, 34(1), 26-28.
- The article analyzes the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) and examines whether the effect of poverty on reading achievement can be lessened by school library. It notes that results confirm that variables related to reading are predictors of reading test scores. It concludes that school library can lessen the effects of low socio-economic status (SES) on reading.**
Lance, K. & Kachel, D. (2013). Achieving Academic Standards through the School Library Program. Teacher Librarian, 40(5), 8-13.
- The article focuses on the relationship between library practices and student achievement. A group pf Pennsylvania organizations, including HSLC, the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association and the Education Law Center of Pennsylvania, conducted a study on the topic. The study found that students are more likely to score advanced and less likely to score below basic on PSSA reading and writing tests. The authors conclude that based on the study's results, there is a need for more local action research studies and the need to develop networks of educators, public officials and parents who are informed and mobilized to campaign for school libraries and librarians among others.**
U.S..National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. (2008). School Libraries Work!. Retrieved from http://www.scholastic.com/content/collateral_resources/pdf/s/slw3_2008.pdf
- This document begins by explaining what a highly-qualified librarian does and what a good library program looks like. It also describes benefits to the schools of having both a qualified librarian and a good library program. It finishes by outlining several studies completed in various states that demonstrate the positive affect school libraries have on student achievement.
*Summary taken from Illinois State University Milner's Library online catalog
**taken from Amazon.com
**taken from Amazon.com