Communication with School

Overview

Communication with school stakeholders for advocacy involves intentional, strategic, and ongoing messaging that clearly outlines the value and impact of the school library program. It includes regularly sharing evidence of student engagement, aligning library work to school and district goals, highlighting collaboration with teachers, and demonstrating how the library supports literacy, inquiry, digital citizenship, and academic achievement. Effective communication moves beyond reporting activities to showcasing outcomes. It uses stories, data, and student voice to illustrate growth and impact. It also means sharing needs, challenges, and successes with administrators and decision makers so they understand the library is an essential instructional partner. Through consistent, transparent, and relationship-centered communication, school librarians build understanding, strengthen trust, and cultivate a community that is informed, engaged, and prepared to advocate for strong library programs.

What Does Advocacy in the School Look Like?

Advocacy within the school looks like intentionally positioning the library as an essential part of teaching and learning. It includes aligning the library program to school goals, collaborating with teachers, sharing student success stories and data with administrators, and participating in key conversations where decisions are made. School-based advocacy also means speaking up for equitable access, adequate resources, and inclusive collections. Ultimately, it’s about ensuring the library is recognized, supported, and valued as a vital part of the school’s mission.

Why We Do It:

When school librarians communicate clearly and consistently within the school, the library can become the heart of the school, and be recognized as an essential part of teaching and learning. Communication helps administrators and teachers understand how the library directly supports curriculum goals, literacy growth, digital citizenship, and student achievement. It gives librarians the language and evidence they need to advocate for the program when decisions about staffing, funding, or scheduling are being made. When teachers and staff feel informed and included within the library, they are more likely to collaborate, refer students, and speak up in support of that library. That shared understanding turns awareness into action and ensures the library is seen as a vital part of the school’s success. 

Here's How:

• Overview of School Library Roles and Impact (to share with admin and staff)

• Year-Long Passive Programming Plan Suggestions

• New Teacher Library Orientation Presentation

• PD Planning Template

• Policies & Procedures Start Up Guide

• End of Year Report Presentation Template (to share with admin and staff)

• End of Year One Pager Template (to share with admin and staff)

• Benefits of Fixed & Flexible Schedules Infographics

• Needs Survey Form For Teachers

• Example of Library Board Report

The Research:

A strong school library program is not an extra; it is an instructional asset directly connected to student achievement. Research consistently shows that schools with certified school librarians and well-resourced libraries see measurable gains in reading achievement and academic performance. Students in schools with full-time librarians often score higher on standardized assessments, particularly in reading. Beyond test scores, librarians strengthen inquiry, digital citizenship, ethical research practices, and critical thinking skills. They also collaborate with teachers to support curriculum goals and scaffold research instruction. The research below provides evidence to guide informed decisions, conversations, and continued investment in school library programs that can be shared with administrative teams and colleagues. 

• Strong Libraries Build Strong Students - American Association of School Librarians

• Research on the Impact of School Libraries- Pennsylvania School Librarians Association

• Research on the Positive Impact of Librarians- Massachusetts Teachers Association

• Investing in School Libraries and Librarians To Improve Literacy Outcomes- The Center for American Progress

• School Libraries Work- Scholastic

• Linking librarians, inquiry learning, and information literacy- KAPPAN 

• More studies can be found through accessing the Library Research Service