How can school libraries and knowledgeable media specialists benefit students and staff to cultivate literacy
for lifelong learning?
School Libraries
School Libraries
a "Quiet Crisis"
Many advocates are calling school libraries that don’t have a certified library media specialist and are frequently being “run by well-meaning but untrained aides and parent volunteers” a "quiet crisis" (Valley, 2018).
Despite the good intentions, students and teachers are not being properly assisted in the library, and it is hindering the student’s potential growth. These volunteers are also not trained on how to adequately fill the libraries and are merely taking donations. Volunteers are unable to open the library before or after school to better accommodate students who have demanding schedules, need technology resources, or just want a quiet space to read.
Course Connection! Reading in the Content Areas
Prepares students for
college & career
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Libraries are actually a “place where students hone skills for using Google documents and evaluating online information” (Valley, 2018).
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It is important for students to know how to research from both traditional print, as well as, through technological resources.
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Students developing those technological skills are a necessity to succeed in the college and career level in the 21st century.
students are surrounded by books
Plenty of research has supported the fact that children, who are surrounded by books, read more and are usually better at reading.
“A school library program that is adequately staffed, resourced, and funded can lead to higher student achievement regardless of the socio-economic or educational levels of the community” (School Libraries Work!, 2008). Therefore, proving that students who possibly are not surrounded by books at home or not provided many opportunities to be read to can still have their passion for reading ignited by being at a school with a quality library.
Provide sufficient resources
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"Libraries can engage students with learning in many ways.
The physical space itself can be used to ensure that there are sufficient resources available to students, enough independent study areas, collaborative learning spaces and sufficient numbers of computers or wireless access areas" ("How Libraries and Librarians...").
