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The Research: Why Teacher Librarians Matter for Student Success
The Research: Why Teacher Librarians Matter for Student Success
Without School Librarians, These Benefits Diminish!
Without School Librarians, These Benefits Diminish!
Improved Literacy
Improved Grade Point Averages
Improved Standardized Test Scores (in both Reading and Math)
Improved Graduation Rates
Improved College & Career Readiness
Improved 21st Century Skills
Overall, Higher Academic Mastery
Benefits Persist w/ Socioeconomic Status
Vulnerable Students Benefit the Most
Bridge Access Gaps to Resources
References:
- California State Board of Education. (2010). Modern School Library Standards for California Public Schools. California Department of Education. https://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/librarystandards.pdf
- Jamalian, A. (2018). The Role of School Libraries in the 21st Century Maker Movement. The Globe Program. https://www.globe.gov/documents/23174792/9b447b06-5ff3-4e8a-ae29-34c7734b9a34
- Martinez, T. (2024). Investing in School Libraries and Librarians To Improve Literacy Outcomes. Center for American Progress. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/investing-in-school-libraries-and-librarians-to-improve-literacy-outcomes/
Why Teacher Librarians Are Irreplaceable: Skills & Standards
Why Teacher Librarians Are Irreplaceable: Skills & Standards
Teacher Librarians hold both a classroom teaching credential (with years of teaching experience) and an additional Teacher Librarian credential. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) sets rigorous program standards for this certification, ensuring specialized expertise. Click here to explore a Teacher Librarian Fieldwork Portfolio and see these specialized skills in action (see Competencies menu). These standards are summarized below:
Instruction
demonstrate a capacity to design instruction to meet standards.
use multiple measures of assessment.
use multiple instructional techniques for diverse student populations.
21st Century Literacy
support and promote textual literacy.
respond to diverse literacy needs of the school.
provide resources and promote resources to support multiple literacies.
Information Organization
understand the principles of managing a collection based on school population.
understand and implement policies that protect the ethical and legal access to materials for the school community.
Program Manager
understand the needs of a comprehensive library program.
demonstrate the capacity to develop and understand policies that support the legal and ethical codes of the profession.
demonstrate a capacity to manage a budget.
demonstrate the capability of training and managing staff and volunteers.
Leadership
understand the role of teacher-librarian in staff development and professional development.
Advocacy
use research and educational policy to advocate for the library to a variety of audiences.
Only Teacher Librarians Are Credentialed for Authorized Library Services
Only Teacher Librarians Are Credentialed for Authorized Library Services
(b) Authorization. The Teacher Librarian Services Credential authorizes the holder:
to instruct students in accessing, evaluating, using and integrating information and resources in the library program;
to plan and coordinate school library programs with the instructional programs of a school district through collaboration with teachers;
to select materials for school and district libraries;
to develop programs for and deliver staff development for school library services;
to coordinate or supervise library programs at the school, district or county level;
to plan and conduct a course of instruction for those pupils who assist in the operation of school libraries;
to supervise classified personnel assigned school library duties; and
to develop procedures for and management of the school and district libraries.
...
2. Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude local governing boards from employing non-credentialed individuals to assist in the provision of library services, provided that the employment of non-credentialed personnel is not intended to supersede the requirement to include holders of the Teacher Librarian Services Credential or other credential authorizing library service pursuant to Education Code section 44868 in the coordination and implementation of public school library programs. Services provided by non-credentialed personnel shall not include those activities requiring possession of a valid Teacher Librarian Services Credential (see chart below), as specified in Subsection (b) of this section.
California Code, Education Code - EDC § 44868
No person shall be employed as a teacher librarian in an elementary or secondary school, unless he or she holds a valid credential of proper grade authorizing service as a teacher librarian or a valid teaching credential issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing if he or she has completed the specialized area of librarianship.
This means a classified employee should not be providing instruction, instructional program coordination, materials selection, staff development, library assistant course enrollment, and more. They can basically check materials in and out and order materials selected by someone authorized.
NOTE: The only service a regular Techer Librarian credential does not cover is the final item related to "departmentalized instruction in information literacy, etc.," which requires an additional Special Class Authorization on top of holding a Teacher Librarian credential.
Infographics on School Libraries & Librarians
Infographics on School Libraries & Librarians
Click on images to view larger.
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