Being in my second year as an elementary school librarian, I still feel the need to explain the importance of the library and the importance of my role in the school. We librarians know the difference we make. Sometimes teachers know. But hardly ever have I seen a principal, district official, or member of the board of education that truly understands the magnitude of our involvement in student progress. In the last ten years, studies have been done in different states that link libraries and student achievement.
I did some internet research and one name kept coming up – Keith Lance, Ph.D. Dr. Lance and his staff have conducted many studies linking school libraries and student performance. An overview of his work shows that there are similar findings in many states. He points out that the size of the library staff and collection is a direct predictor of reading scores. Other influences include having a professionally trained librarian who works collaboratively with teachers and plays a leadership/instructional role in the school setting. Technology is also a bigger part of the equation. Remote access to the library catalog and licensed databases in the school lead to higher test scores. All of these things reinforce the knowledge that school libraries are integral in the education of students.. I want to run out and hand out a copy of these studies to every administrator and board member in my district.
The 2005 Illinois study entitled “Powerful Libraries Make Powerful Learners” was authored by Keith Lance. Much of what was mentioned above is reiterated in this study. On this site I did find a great eight minute interactive video summarizing the findings. It was reported that elementary ISAT scores in reading were 13% higher in schools with a library. More books per student and the currency of those books is vital. The one thing I really connected with was the importance of the relationship between the librarian and student. I have found that even after two years, I am better able to connect a child with a book or find a way to tap into the curiousity of a child to teach a concept. I am well aware that I am the only consistent teacher that a student has from kindergarten through fifth grade.
What is not included in any of these studies is the new Web 2.0 technologies. They are a new entity to much of the education world, as well as to me. Some of the basic technologies such as blogging can be used effectively in the elementary grades. I continue to research to find how others have used Web 2.0 in the younger grades. I can easily see how they can be implemented to a much greater extent in middle and high schools. And so my education continues.
Each year I find myself in the position of explaining the value of my library and my position. I will continue to rely on these types of studies to support me. I will also explore various methods that others have found useful in the elementary school to promote student achievement.
Libraries, especially good school libraries, couldn’t be more important. If we want children to develop good study habits, they need to have access to good resources at their school library for starters. Anyone that can’t see that is nuts, and I salute you for your interest in keeping up with the technologies that our children are going to be using. You have to speak their language to get their trust, and when you have their trust, you’ll be able to help steer them the right way.