Getting Administrators Excited About Libraries

Dr. Odin JurkowskiRobin GibbonsRobin Boggs-HargravePat Shannon

http://faculty.cmsu.edu/jurkowski/MASL2006Last updated 04.21.2006 10:00am

Missouri Association of School Librarians (MASL) Spring Conference

04.24.2006 Session IV 10:00 – 11:00 am

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What this Workshop is all AboutLibrarians and administrators working together to benefit our students

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Agenda Introduction Odin - Who we are? Librarians and

administrators Pat – Getting to know your Principal Robin G. – A Packet for the Principal:

Information administrators need Robin H. – Communicating: Ideas for getting

your principal’s attention

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What is a School Librarian? Teaching, cooperative efforts in curriculum

and information access, and leadership in program administration

National professional guidelines, regional accreditation requirements, and state standards

Enjoy students, teaching, and learning

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Assumptions about Librarians (from those who are uninformed)

Librarians do not need to be involved in curriculum planning

Librarians are support resources, not teaching colleagues

Librarians do not have conferences with teachers

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Information PowerCollaboration, Leadership, Technology

coaching fostering information literacy building effective teams staff development model and promote lifelong learning formal and informal

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Administrative SupportProgram Administration - Principle 4: An effective library media program requires ongoing administrative support

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What is a School Administrator? Principal Teacher (compare terminology to Teacher

Librarian) Advanced skills in the teaching and learning process A thorough understanding of practical applications

of child growth and development A solid background in the liberal arts A sincere commitment to children’s welfare and

progress

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What Don’t Principal’s Know?Principals do not learn about libraries in their coursework:

NCATE survey - Only 18% integrated schools library information into course work for prospective principals

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Administrator’s Preconceived Notions What did they have in their coursework? What experiences did they have with their

school libraries in past jobs? As students and parents?

What is the culture in the school? What positive and negative influences must

you deal with?

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Our TaskPermanent change must start at the top with professional principals’ organizations and preparation programs, so that the library message is institutionalized. Otherwise every time you help an administrator learn about libraries, he or she leaves and you must start over again.

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What do Principals and Librarians Have in Common? Graduate course work View of the big picture Total grasp of the curriculum Leadership and management skills Seek a better world for children, a world that

revolves around knowledge Not always understood, often unappreciated Like to control events in their areas

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Next presenters… Pat Robin G. Robin H.

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Questions??

Do you have stories to share?

Questions, Comments, & Discussion

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Useful Resources Snyder, T. (2000). Getting lead-bottomed administrators

excited about school library media centers. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited. (ISBN 1-56308-794-4)

Wilson, P.P., & Lyders, J.A. (2001). Leadership for today’s school library: A handbook for the library media specialist and the school principal. Westport, CN: Greenwood Press. (ISBN 0-313-31326-1)

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Contact InformationDr. Odin Jurkowski, Program Coordinator and Assistant ProfessorLibrary Science & Information ServicesDept of Educational Leadership & Human DevelopmentCollege of Education & Human ServicesCentral Missouri State UniversityLovinger 3132Warrensburg MO 64093

phone 660.543.8387jurkowski@cmsu.eduhttp://faculty.cmsu.edu/jurkowski