WakeForward: Advancing School Libraries to Empower Student Learning
We believe that strong school library programs are vital to every school community.
The WakeForward initiative launched in the 2018-2019 school year as a way to better define, strengthen, and advocate for our school library programs.
Each year, schools assemble a Media and Technology Advisory Committee (MTAC) with representatives across grade levels and content areas. The MTAC collaboratively assesses the school library program and selects 1-2 areas in which to focus growing the program for that year:
Curriculum & Instruction
Equity & Cultural Competency
Use of Space & Time
Family & Community Partnerships
Budget & Resources
Professional Learning
Technology & Infrastructure
Data & Privacy
School library media coordinators engage in learning opportunities related to their selected focus area, and the MTAC documents their progress in an MTAC digital portfolio.
The continued Covid-19 pandemic prohibited us from holding in-person professional learning to support WakeForward focus areas. Rather, participants engaged in virtual PLCs. Library Media Services plans to return to in-person learning opportunities in the 2022-2023 school year.
Learn more about specific goals and evidence of progress for this initiative here.