The Role of School Libraries

School libraries have the power to transform student learning by helping to build enthusiastic learners.

The school library is both a physical center for independent student reading and learning as well as an opportunity for collaboration between classroom teachers and specialists.  A certified school librarian curates a library collection of literature that supports classroom curriculum and provides a wide range of independent reading options for students of varied abilities and interests.  The library program provides student instruction in Information Literacy which includes research skills, a variety of learning experiences including project-based learning and literature appreciation. The goal of the Scarsdale librarians is to encourage every student to develop a life-long love of literature and research. A collaborative approach between the librarian and the classroom teacher allows for authentic teaching of literature and information fluency skills and strategies. Students need to use the skills of inquiry to learn essential content and to construct new meaning. Instruction, designed around an inquiry framework, generates active learning and the formation of new understandings. 

Physical Space

The school library is a flexible learning space that includes areas for group instruction, quiet study/reading, presentation of information and/or student work, and shared library resources (books, technology tools, writing center, etc.).  Student access to the school library should be open and flexible (which requires adequate support staff beyond the certified School Librarian), allowing for a variety of learning opportunities simultaneously. A library book collection should be varied enough to accommodate first-time readers to middle school readers, with many genres, formats, and subjects for individual readers to follow their own interests.     

Specialists

Certified Library Media Specialists and Educational Technology Specialists are important members on a school literacy team.  They support student literacy learning, and guide classroom teachers in professional development and an awareness of the newest learning tools and literature available for use in school and at home.  Specialists are school leaders, using their expertise to guide and support classroom teachers in multimodal literacies and the use of up-to-date and effective educational tools (digital and physical).  Specialists also serve as facilitators of collaboration between educators as well as curricular subject areas and authentic learning opportunities.