Tapping into the Skills of 21st-Century School Librarians

Strong school librarians positively impact student learning, and principal support is key. This concise handbook provides an overview of the roles of the 21st-century school librarian—teacher, instructional partner, information specialist, instructional leader, and program administrator. A valuable and informative resource, it gives principals the information they need to know in order to utilize the library program and librarian to the fullest potential to contribute to the instructional program of the school.

This book will be useful in facilitating conversations about how school librarians can be instrumental in transforming teaching and learning in schools today. I would use this book to inspire rich conversations with principals and school librarians about their important and evolving roles and how it can change the traditional landscape of school libraries., Chapters are broken into realistic and helpful areas; the Research Findings section is a great resource; and the one-sentence summaries with the Additional Readings section are brief but so informative., Teachers, administrators, and other staff can use this book and apply it to practice because of the many suggestions and examples of strategies mentioned throughout., The book outlines in a format that is clear and concise the key roles of the librarian, making it easier for an administrator to clearly identify what should/could be occurring in that role and assess whether those elements are in place in an effective manner. At the same time, the book give examples and resources for administrators who are seeking to expand or augment the current role of their school librarian.

Dr. Audrey P. Church is a professor of school librarianship at Longwood University in Farmville, VA. A past president of the Virginia Educational Media Association and the Virginia Educational Research Association, she is currently president-elect of the American Association of School Librarians.