1. School Librarians
and Leadership
LIB 604
Libraries in the School
Curriculum
Spring 2012

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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
(from Chapter 1, "The Vision," of Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning. Copyright ©
1998 American Library Association and Association for Educational Communications and Technology. )

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The newest set of Leading SLMSs create an environment
guidelines from the
American where collaboration and creative problem
Association of solving thrive. They continuously strive to
School Librarians
(AASL). advance their skills by leading professional
journals and books, attending conferences,
and networking with other librarians.
− Empowering Learners: Guidelines for
School Library Media Programs

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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 11, 2012

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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 11, 2012 5

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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 Development
By JIM KOUZES and BARRY POSNER
February 11, 2012

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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, 1994). They understand
and model the core values of the
institution.
Leading on the Wave of Change
Knowledge Quest on the Web:
January/February 2001
Debbie Abilock, Editor

8. Preparing for Leadership
8
eJournal
BC Educational Teachers provide a powerful and
Leadership Research.
Issue 3.
insightful voice regarding
March 16, 2006 decisions about school change
because teachers have
knowledge of local school
conditions
Taylor Webb
. . . a teacher’s power is essential
both within and beyond the
walls of the classroom.
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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

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Being creative
Being interactive
Being vision-headed
Empowering others (by encouraging
participation and involvement)
Being passionate about their work
 Based on Leadership: A Communication
Perspective (2003), reproduced in Empowering
Learners (AASL, 2009).

11. Preparing for Leadership
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February 11, 2012 11

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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 Loertscher
Powering Achievement:
School Library Media Programs Make a Difference
February 11, 2012 12

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 Loertscher: Leadership and Achievement
PowerPoint Slides
For Colorado (and other) studies see School Library
Impact Studies

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15. http://eduscapes.com/sms/overview/leadership.html

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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.

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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.

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Preparing for Leadership 21