Maximizing School Librarian Leadership: Building Connections for Learning and Advocacy (ALA Editions 2018)
In this book, preservice and practicing school librarians, district-level library supervisors, school librarian educators, school principals and administrators, and others will find strategies to position school librarians as leaders. In their leadership and instructional partner roles, school librarians make essential connections that build and sustain a culture of learning in their schools. In the process, they engender library advocates for the vital work of the school librarian and the essential role of the library program in education. Selected figures and graphic organizers from the book are available online as Web Extras from ALA Editions.
Book Study
In the 2018-2019 academic year, I blogged about each chapter in the book. I also published one podcast each month to support readers who were or will be engaged in a book study of Maximizing School Librarian Leadership: Building Connections for Learning and Advocacy. These podcasts last from ten to fifteen minutes and are intended as chapter introductions or discussion starters for book study groups.
Monthly Podcast Links are linked at the end of each chapter. All Podcast Scripts are linked here.
Maximizing School Librarian Leadership Facebook Group
Preface Book Study: Preview: Maximizing Leadership: Keyword = Collaboration and From Where Does Your Authority Come?
Introduction Book Study: Maximizing Systems Thinking and Book Study Invitation
Podcast: Book Preview: School Librarian Leadership
Chapter 1: Building Connections for Learning (Book Study) Chapter 1 One-Page Summary
- Building Connections for Learning
- Mindsets for Learning
- Collaboration and Leadership Are Essential
- Professional Development Is Key
Podcast: Episode 1: Building Connections for Learning
Chapter 2: Job-Embedded Professional Development (Book Study) Chapter 2 One-Page Summary
- Reciprocal Mentorship
- Classroom-Library Coplanning
- More Engaging Curricula
- Coleading Alongside Your Principal
- Tangent Topic: Educating Young and Future Voters
Podcast: Episode 2: Job-Embedded Professional Development: Interview with Misti Werle
Chapter 3: Inquiry Learning (Book Study) Chapter 3 One-Page Summary
- School-wide Inquiry Learning
- Curiosity, Experimentation, Creativity
- Diverse Creative Expressions of Learning
- Inquiry Empowered Learning Culture
Podcast: Episode 3: Inquiry Learning: Interview with Priscille Dando
Chapter 4: Traditional Literacy Learning (Book Study) Chapter 4 One-Page Summary
- Becoming Literate: A Lifelong Process
- Common Beliefs About Literacy Learning
- Coteaching Comprehension Strategies During Inquiry Learning
- The Gifts of Traditional Literacies
- Tangent Topic: Looking Back, Looking Forward
Podcast: Episode 4: Traditional Literacy Learning
Chapter 5: Deeper Learning (Book Study) Chapter 5 One-Page Summary
- Deeper Learners = Empowered Learners
- Deep Learning Opportunities
- Questioning for Deeper Learning
- Standards, Inquiry, Deeper Learning
Podcast: Episode 5: Deeper Learning
Chapter 6: Digital Learning (Book Study) Chapter 6 One-Page Summary
- Digital Learning Instructional Partnerships
- Digital Learning Dispositions
- Differentiated Digital Professional Development
- Reciprocal Technology Mentorship
Podcast: Episode 6: Digital Learning Interview with Amy Soma and Louis Lauer
Chapter 7: Assessment (Book Study: March, 2019) – Chapter 7 One-Page Summary
- Sharing the Power of Assessment with Students
- Assessing Students’ Dispositions
- School Librarian Evaluation
- Educator Reflection
Podcast: Episode 7: Assessment Interview with Kelly Miller
Chapter 8: Leadership and Advocacy (Book Study) – Chapter 8 One-Page Summary
- Leading Successful Advocacy Appeals
- Advocacy: An Essential Component of Daily Practice
- Advocacy: A Long-term, On-going Process
- Advocating for What Students Need to Succeed
- Read or Die: A Book Review and a Call to Action
Podcast: Episode 8: Leadership and Advocacy Interview with Dr. Ann Ewbank
Chapter 9: Sustaining Connections in a Collaborative Culture (Book Study) – Chapter 9 One-Page Summary
- Continuous Learning, On-going Assessment
- Collegiality and Teamwork
- Community Connections
- An Effective Teaching Force
Podcast: Episode 9: Sustaining Connections in a Collaborative Culture
Next Steps – Final Post