Learning in Libraries:

Norman Public Schools received a National Leadership Grant for Libraries from the Institute of Museum and Libraries Services for a three-year research project in 2016. The grant entitled Learning in Libraries: Guided Inquiry Making and Learning was funded for over $540,000. The project is directed by Kathryn Roots Lewis, Director of Media Services and Instructional Technology for Norman Public Schools in Norman, Oklahoma. Co-directors from Norman Public Schools are Dr. Shirley Simmons, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services and Dr. Lee Nelson, Technology Integration Specialist. Arian Davis serves as the Grant Manager.

The principal investigator for the project is Dr. Kyungwon Koh, Associate Professor, School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois, with co-PI Dr. Xun Ge, Professor, Instructional Psychology and Technology Department of Educational Psychology, Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education, The University of Oklahoma.

Our project advisory board includes: Dr. Leanne Bowler, Dr. Leslie Maniotes, and Leslie Preddy.

This research will extend our knowledge about participatory learning in K-12 school libraries by investigating learning by Making and the Guided Inquiry Design Process within the regular K-12 curriculum. The three-year research grant will include a total of three schools at elementary, middle, and high school levels in the Norman Public Schools in Norman, Oklahoma. Over 500 learners will participate in the grant. Teachers and librarians at the three school will work together to implement the Guided Inquiry Design Process and Making into instruction. This research aims to extend the current knowledge on how learning occurs when combining an inquiry pedagogy with Making in school libraries as part of the regular school curriculum.

A goal of the grant team is to develop a replicable model that results in:

• Increased engagement for all students
• Increased academic achievement for all students
• Increased student interest in STEAM
• Increased student persistence, autonomous learning, and participatory learning
• Increased teacher and librarian collaboration and coteaching
• Expanded use of the school library as a participatory learning environment

This project was made possible in part by the

Institute of Museum and Library Services LG-81-16-0151.

The website will continuously be updated, so please visit again! If you have any questions or comments on the project, contact Kathryn Lewis at klewis@norman.k12.ok.us.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s approximately 123,000 libraries(link is external) and 35,000 museums. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook(link is external), Twitter(link is external) and Instagram.