1. School Librarians and Leadership LIB604 Libraries in the School CurriculumSpring 2011
2. School Librarians as Leaders A curricular leader and a full participant on the instructional team, the library media specialist constantly updates personal skills and knowledge in order to work effectively with teachers, administrators, and other staff--both to expand their general understanding of information issues and to provide them with specific opportunities to develop sophisticated skills in information literacy, including the uses of information technology. Roles and Responsibilities of the School Library Media Specialist
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4. What is Leadership? Preparing for Leadership At its essence, leading is all about relationships – growing the connections among individuals that permit collective, collaborative thinking and action. Leaders motivate, join forces in articulating a common vision and goals, and support others in conceiving and implementing plans for action. February 14, 2011
5. Is there a leader type? Preparing for Leadership We say, “So-and-so is a born leader.” No such thing. Leadership is a relationship between a person and a group plus the skills to guide the group to success. As with any relationship, success depends on both parties. One group’s stellar leader may fail utterly when leading another group. Stever Robbins: Stever Column - The Essence of Leadership February 14, 2011 5
6. 6 Preparing for Leadership Leadership is a relationship between those who aspire to lead and those who chose to follow. Sometimes the relationship is one-to-one. Sometimes it’s one-to-many. But regardless of whether the number is one or one thousand, leadership is a relationship.Leadership Development is Character DevelopmentBy JIM KOUZES and BARRY POSNER February 14, 2011 Leadership is relationship?
7. Leadership in context Preparing for Leadership Leadership is not just dependent on an individual’s unique qualities. “Successful leaders have learned to view their organizations’ environment in a holistic way.”(Leadership for School Culture). They understand and model the core values of the institution.Leading on the Wave of ChangeKnowledge Quest on the Web:January/February 2001Debbie Abilock, Editor February 14, 2011 7
8. Are Teachers Leaders? Preparing for Leadership Teachers provide a powerful and insightful voice regarding decisions about school change because teachers have knowledge of local school conditions . . . a teacher’s power is essential both within and beyond the walls of the classroom. eJournal BC Educational Leadership Research. Issue 3. March 16, 2006 Taylor Webb February 14, 2011 8
9. Teacher leaders Preparing for Leadership Various studies indicate that effective teacher leadership involves a move away from top-down, hierarchical modes of functioning and a move toward shared decision-making, teamwork, and community building. Teachers as Leaders in Education Reform. ERIC Digest. by Wynne, Joan February 14, 2011 9
15. Based on Leadership: A Communication Perspective (2003), reproduced in Empowering Learners(AASL, 2009). February 14, 2011 Preparing for Leadership 10
17. LMS Leadership Pays Off! Academic achievement increases when school librarians are leaders in their schools. Library media specialists who seek leadership roles and partnerships with administrators create strong library media programs translating into academic achievement. This is an indirect relationship. That is, leadership translates to higher collaboration with teachers in creating quality learning experiences that in turn, has a direct impact on academic achievement. David LoertscherPowering Achievement: School Library Media Programs Make a Difference February 14, 2011 12
22. Applying Action Research Understanding the concept and process of action research will prepare the library media specialist to take a leadership role in improving both the library media center and the entire school program.
23. Evidence-Based Practice is not complicated. It is a simple process of paying attention to what you do and keeping a record of how that helps teachers and students. As Ross Todd explains, Evidence-Based Practice is “knowing and showing how the school library program helps students learn.” For more information on Evidence-Based Practice, please click here. Read Building Evidence-based Practice Through Action Research by V.H. Harada.
