This content reflects work done as part of the Indigenous Perspectives in School Librarianship (IPSL) grant funded by IMLS (RE-246303-OLS-20). Actual assignments may vary.

Module Objective

  • Evaluate your school and district library on the Include shared foundation.
  • Develop a SMARTIE goal for your library.

Think

  • American Association of School Librarians. (2018). Include. In National school library standards for learners, school librarians, and school libraries (pp. 75-82). Chicago, IL: ALA Editions.
  • American Association of School Librarians. (2018). Measuring school librarian growth. In National school library standards for learners, school librarians, and school libraries (pp. 147-168). Chicago, IL: ALA Editions.
  • American Association of School Librarians. (2018). Evaluating school libraries. In National school library standards for learners, school librarians, and school libraries (pp. 169-181). Chicago, IL: ALA Editions.

Create

Part I: Interview a fellow educator, administrator, or parent about their experiences with their school library. You may interview someone at another school if it may be uncomfortable to speak with someone at your school; particularly if you are not the current librarian. You may write your own questions or use the following:

  • How often do you (or your learner(s)) use the library?
  • Are you familiar with the fact that the library has national / state / local standards? What, if anything, do you know about those standards?
  • Do you find the library inviting and welcoming?
  • Does the librarian keep you informed of what’s going on in the library?
  • Have you seen evidence that the librarian seeks input from others in the development of library policies and procedures?
  • Do you feel as if the librarian does a good job of developing a collection of diverse resources?
  • What resources do you use most often? What additional materials would you like to see in the library?
  • Does the librarian teach and/or model the ethical use of information and digital citizenship?

Part II: Evaluate your school and your district library on meeting the Include shared foundation of the National School Library Standards utilizing the checklist on Page 175.

Part III: Use the data you collected in Part I and Part II to develop a SMARTIE goal that you could enact as the school’s librarian to improve your school library’s performance in the shared foundation of Include. Refer to the attached worksheet for guidance on how to create a SMARTIE goal. Create an action plan for implementing your goal. What steps do you need to take to obtain your goal? What resources do you need to obtain your goal?

Share

In the #module8 channel, share the following and respond to two of your classmates:

  • Summarize your interview and explain how it informed your SMART goal. Be sure to reference your interviewee anonymously (e.g., “the teacher,” “Mrs. X”).
  • Share your SMART goal and SMART goal action plan.
  • What remaining questions do you still have about intellectual freedom?

Grow

Write a reflection on the module. Use the following questions as inspiration. What did you learn this week? What made you wonder? How do you feel about the module’s content and process? How will what you learned this week make you a better librarian? How do you feel about your progress in the course? What questions do you have?

ALSO THIS WEEK: Share your favorite component / resource / activity from the course; AND share one thing you would do to improve the course for future students.