Summary

Twin Lakes #4 School District has shown a dedication to providing students with a high-quality education by means of ongoing support of the school library program. The Lakewood School Library, as of November 2020, is staffed by two personnel. Their roles and responsibilities can be found below, along with ALA's statement on advocacy where it concerns school libraries and their personnel. The three year plan for library personnel is to retain the oversight of a state certified K-12 librarian, while ensuring that the library is staffed full time while school is in session. Our action item is intended to support the Lakewood School Library staff in accessing and participating in ongoing personalized professional learning, and to maintain access to the network of school librarians throughout the state.

Certified Library Media Specialist - Remote Consultant

Erin Larson

Description of Role:

The Certified Library Media Specialist - Remote Consultant is responsible for overseeing and guiding the long-term growth and development of the Lakewood School Library, and aligning the library collection and programming to standards and research-based best practices as set forth by American Library Association (ALA), American Association of School Librarians (AASL), International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), and Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

Responsibilities:

• Purchasing / CSF budget

• Overseeing weeding and collection maintenance projects

• Consulting with on-site librarian to align library lessons to standards

• Developing the long-term plan and goals

• Provide ongoing support to on-site librarian as needed

• Continue to develop and improve the school library's online presence

• Advocate for student privacy, intellectual freedom, and responsible sharing of data

On-Site Librarian/Library Teacher

Kristine Hedrick

Description of Role:

The On-Site Librarian/Library Teacher is responsible for maintaining ongoing circulation and access to library programming and resources, creating and implementing library curriculum, and carrying out ongoing library projects.

Responsibilities:

• Process and circulate library materials

• Create and implement library curriculum

• Provide reference services to students and staff

• Develop and support the school library's community partnerships

• Provide input for purchases based on student needs/interests

• Assess and communicate student and staff needs that could be addressed through library resources and/or programming

• Manage the use of library time and space to support equitable access to library space and services

American Library Association's Statement on Advocacy, School Libraries & Personnel

"ALA believes that every school should have an effective school library program. While reading and books are mainstays of the school library program, today’s effective school library programs are also sophisticated learning environments that provide the education and skill building to succeed in college and the workplace.

[...] Research repeatedly shows that a well-funded and fully staffed school library with a state-certified school librarian is an integral component of a student’s education. Across the United States, studies have demonstrated that students in schools with effective school library programs learn more, get better grades, and score higher on standardized tests than their peers in schools without comparable resources." - ALA, "School Libraries & Education"