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Building the Learning Environment: Resources and Materials

Update December 2020:
This web page is a companion to the 2016 version of the School Library Program Rubric. NYSED released an updated School Library Program Rubric in December 2020.


Student Snapshot: Student needs for learning resources are met through well developed collections of materials in a variety of formats.

According to the American Library Association (2014), “school librarians cooperate with other individuals in building collections of resources that meet the needs as well as the developmental and maturity levels of students. These collections provide resources that support the mission of the school district and are consistent with its philosophy, goals, and objectives. Resources in school library collections are an integral component of the curriculum and represent diverse points of view on both current and historical issues. These resources include materials that support the intellectual growth, personal development, individual interests, and recreational needs of students.”

Source: American Library Association. “Access to Resources and Services in the School Library Media Program: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights”. American Library Association, July, 2014.

Citation for Photo: Martin, John. Library Media Center Original. 2009. Flickr.

This web page features a photo from John Martin, available under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic license.

In Practice

Commissioner’s Regulations: School Libraries

Description: New York State Regulations of the Commissioner of Education on school library programs and the number of resources that should be available based on student size and attendance.

Resource/Citation: “New York Codes, Rules and Regulations: 8 NYCRR 91.1. School libraries.” New York State Education Department.

Meet Your Learners Where They Are: Virtualizing the School Library

Description: This article provides information on how school librarians can transform their school library into a digital space. Included is guidance on garnering buy in from a school administrator, organizing resources, and keeping them updated or current.

*Resource/Citation: Boyer, Brenda. "Meet your Learners Where They Are: Virtualizing the School Library." Internet@Schools, vol. 23, no. 1, January-February 2016, p. 4.

MyLibraryNYC: A Successful Public and School Library Partnership

Description: This article provides an overview of MyLibraryNYC, a shared program of New York City Department of Education and New York City’s three public libraries, and how the program is increasing digital and print resource access for participating schools.

Resource/Citation: Wilson, Andrew, and Leanne Ellis. "MyLibraryNYC: A Successful Public and School Library Partnership." Teacher Librarian, vol. 41, no. 3, February 2014, p. 22.

Practical Implementation of an Educational Makerspace: Part 3 of Making an Educational Makerspace

Description: A case study about how New Milford High School created a makerspace in their school library.

Resource/Citation: Kurti, R. Steven, Deborah Kurti, and Laura Fleming. "Practical Implementation of an Educational Makerspace: Part 3 of Making an Educational Makerspace." Teacher Librarian, vol. 42, no. 2, December 2014, p. 20.

INNOVATION! Makerspaces in NYC School Libraries

Description: New York Library School System provides librarians, teachers, administrators, parents and students high quality examples of makerspaces in school libraries where hands-on learning, creativity, and critical thinking flourish.

Resource/Citation: New York School Library System. Innovation! Makerspaces in NYC School Libraries. New York City Department of Education Office of School Library Services.

Graphic Novels in the School Library: Using Graphic Novels to Encourage Reluctant Readers and Improve Literacy

Description: This article examines how the school librarian can use graphic novels to encourage reluctant readers and help students to improve their literacy. It also examines practical ways in which this graphic novels can be used in order to support students in these areas.

Resource/Citation: Crowley, Joel. "Graphic Novels in the School Library: Using Graphic Novels to Encourage Reluctant Readers and Improve Literacy." School Librarian, vol. 63, no. 3, Autumn 2014, p. 140.

Makerspaces and the School Library Part 1: Where Creativity Blooms

Description: This article provides online resources and tools help school librarians establish, enhance, or expand the school library makerspace program.

Citation: Lamb, Annette. "Makerspaces and the School Library Part 1: Where Creativity Blooms." Teacher Librarian, vol. 43, no. 2, December 2015, p. 56.

Makerspaces and the School Library Part 2: Collaborations and Connections

Description: This article provides a list of resources to help enhance makerspaces.

Citation: Lamb, Annette. "Makerspaces and the School Library Part 2: Collaborations and Connections." Teacher Librarian, vol. 43, no. 2, February 2015, p. 56.

Ebooks and the School Library Program: A Practical Guide for the School Librarian

Description: This guide was developed to help familiarize school librarians with ebooks and facilitate decision-making about their ebook collections in a rapidly changing landscape.

*Resource/Citation: Leverkus, Cathy, and Shannon Acedo. Ebooks and the School Library Program: A Practical Guide for the School Librarian. American Association of School Librarians, 2013.

Collection Development

Description: A collection of blog posts that provide the integration of theory and practice in school librarianship and developments in education, learning, theory and relevant disciplines including collection development.

Resource/Citation: “Collection Development.” Knowledge Quest blog.

In Theory

A Century of Change

Description: The article discusses how school library resources have evolved from 1915-2015 while keeping its mission of providing informational and instructional materials and developing passion for inquiry, reading, and learning. Topics discussed include Library of the Girls' High School in Brooklyn, New York in September 1915 issue of "Library Journal," information collections include games and interactives aside from government publications, and books evolving from paper to multimedia digital formats.

Resource/Citation: Lamb, Annette. "A Century of Change: The Evolution of School Library Resources, 1915-2015." Knowledge Quest, vol. 43, no. 4, March-April 2015, pp. 62-70.

Collection Development Behaviors in School Librarians LGBTQQ Books and Resources 2.5 Million Teens                         

Description: A study about the lack of school librarian graduate student response to the discussion of LGBTQQ student populations and responses by state conference attendees to diverse population collection development and programming sessions.

Resource/Citation: Rickman, Wendy. "Collection Development Behaviors in School Librarians LGBTQQ Books and Resources 2.5 Million Teens". Knowledge Quest, vol. 43, no. 5, May-June 2015, p. 22.

Meet Your Learner Where They Are: Virtualizing the School Library                

Description: This article addresses the need for school librarians to meet learners where they are in this day and age, which is through technology.

Resource/Citation: Boyer, Brenda. "Meet Your Learners Where They Are: Virtualizing the School Library." Internet@Schools, vol. 23, no. 1, January-February 2016, p. 4.

4. Keeping Your Library Collection Smelling F.R.E.S.H!

Description: School library media specialist Jennifer LaGarde reviews the risk of keeping old, outdated books in library collections, and provides guidelines for deciding whether a book should remain in the library.

Citation: LaGarde, Jennifer. "Keeping Your Library Collection Smelling F.R.E.S.H!" The Adventures of Library Girl, 1 Oct. 2013.

Consultant    

Name: Melissa Jacobs

Email: mjacobs7@schools.nyc.gov

Bio: Melissa Jacobs is a Coordinator in the NYC School Library System.  She is the founder and immediate past chair of AASL’s Best Apps for Teaching and Learning Committee, Past President of the School Library Systems Association of NYS, AASL Member-at-Large, and a Community Representative and Education Advisory Committee Member for the Digital Public Library of America. 

*To access restricted database articles speak with your school librarian or public librarian.