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Proving Your Worth : Gathering Evidence in YOUR School Library . Sandra Hughes-Hassell, Ph.D. School of Information & Library Science, UNC Debbie Dupree, MLS, NBCT Salem Middle School, Wake County Kristen Ziller, MLS, NBCT Durant Road Middle School, Wake County. Essential Questions.
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Proving Your Worth: Gathering Evidence in YOUR School Library Sandra Hughes-Hassell, Ph.D. School of Information & Library Science, UNC Debbie Dupree, MLS, NBCT Salem Middle School, Wake County Kristen Ziller, MLS, NBCT Durant Road Middle School, Wake County
Essential Questions • Why should school librarians worry about proving their worth? • What types of data can school librarians gather to demonstrate the tangible learning outcomes and learning benefits of their school library program? • How can school librarians use that data to inform their decisions? • How can school librarians share that data with key stakeholders? NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Why should school librarians worry about proving their worth? NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Today’s Economic Environment • A Nation Without School Libraries NCSLMA November 4, 2010
From the Research…. “Many, especially parents and students, Do Not see librarians as educated professionals who play an active role in the academic community.” From: “A Report of Findings From Six Focus Groups with K-12 Parents, Teachers, and Principals, as Well as Middle and High School Students” (AASL, 2003) NCSLMA November 4, 2010
From the Research…. “Parents . . . tend to rely on their own image of school libraries and librarians from their youth. “When asked what they see as the value of school librarians for their children today, several immediately respond, “Nothing!” These parents see their children utilizing resources outside the school library more frequently and efficiently.” From: “A Report of Findings From Six Focus Groups with K-12 Parents, Teachers, and Principals, as Well as Middle and High School Students” (AASL, 2003) NCSLMA November 4, 2010
From the Research…. “Perceived value of the school library and librarian is lower for middle and high school students than for elementary students – particularly among parents and students.” From: “A Report of Findings From Six Focus Groups with K-12 Parents, Teachers, and Principals, as Well as Middle and High School Students” (AASL, 2003) NCSLMA November 4, 2010
From the Research…. “High school students tend to associate the library with mostly negative thoughts: a nagging/yelling librarian, absolute silence required, an irritating need to show their ID in order to use the school library, and restricted Internet access and checkout limits.” From: “A Report of Findings From Six Focus Groups with K-12 Parents, Teachers, and Principals, as Well as Middle and High School Students” (AASL, 2003) NCSLMA November 4, 2010
From the Research…. • Survey by SLJ of principals (Lau, 2002) • Only 47% believe there is direct link between effective libraries and increased student achievement. • Only 41% said libraries have positive effect on students’ standardized test scores. NCSLMA November 4, 2010
From the Research…. “Librarians have done everything so right that they have made themselves invisible.” (Wallace and Van Fleet, 1994) NCSLMA November 4, 2010
What types of data can school librarians gather to demonstrate the tangible learning outcomes and learning benefits of their school library program? How can school librarians use data to inform their decisions? NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Using Data to Inform Instruction • Online Database Statistics • SSR Survey ~ Teachers and Students • End-of-Project Debriefing with Teachers • Citation Analysis/Bibliometrics • Entrance/Exit Tickets • Reflection Journals NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Project Reflections • Understand student struggles • Target individual needs • Revise instruction • Identify reteachingopportunities • Provide opportunities for teacher conversations NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Entrance Ticket ~ Pre-Project NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Entrance Ticket ~ Beginning of Project NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Entrance Ticket ~ During Project NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Reflections on Literature NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Using Data to Increase Student Achievement • Student EOG Data NCSLMA November 4, 2010
EOG Informational Reading by Homeroom NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Average Circulation by Homeroom NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Using Data to Highlight a Need for Funding • SSR Survey Data • Database Usage Data • Tracking Time • Student Circulation Numbers • Student Survey Data to Determine Purchasing Decisions NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Using Data to Track Your Time • Tally Sheet at Circulation Desk • Media Center Sign-up Book Indicating Work with classes • Time Spent doing “non media specialist” duties • Record of your media specialist duties left “undone” NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Tracking Student Circulation Numbers NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Using Data to Develop Services • Student Sign-in Data • Student Interest Surveys • Circulation Data NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Student Sign-in Data NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Student Interest Surveys • Give students a voice in program decision-making • Feedback on what’s working and what’s not • Interests in and out of school ~ correlate with reading materials NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Student Feedback on Programs • Poll “Likes” and “Dislikes” • Involve Students in Decision-Making • Be Spontaneous NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Student Book Selection NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Student Interests NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Open-Ended Responses NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Using Data to Build Collaborative Partnerships • PLT Meeting Attendance • Track Partnerships with Teachers • Media Center Services Survey NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Tracking Collaboration NCSLMA November 4, 2010
A Cumulative Record NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Teacher Surveys NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Tools You Can Use To Gather Data • Online Survey Tools (Zoomerang, Google Surveys) • Post-it notes • Stickers • Reflection Parking Lot • Plus/Delta NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Questions for the Audience… • What kind(s) of data are you currently gathering? • What tools are you using? • How are you using that data to inform your decisions? NCSLMA November 4, 2010
How can school librarians share that data with key stakeholders? NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Teachers/Administrators • Data Wall NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Teachers/Administrators • PLC Meetings • Faculty Meetings • Department Meetings
Contribute to the PTO/PTA newsletter EVERYTIME it comes out! Attend PTO/PTA meetings—ask for 5 minutes (Create a video or Prezi that is running as people enter the meeting room) Create a newsletter for parents (Think about making it available in multiple formats) Create your own Hillside Middle School (Utah) OR use this one–it’s FREE! School Library Link Parents NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Facebook Brentwood School Library Bell Elementary School Libary Twitter UniHighLibrary on Twitter Library Website Include photos, videos, glogs, etc. (Unquiet Library) Library Blog Gargolyes Loose in the Library (Frances Jacobson Harris) Everyone–Social Media NCSLMA November 4, 2010
School Library Annual Reports (wiki) Susan Landis Eley: Hillside Elementary School (NJ) (Print) Buffy Hamilton: The Unquiet Library (GA) Slideshare) Joyce Valenza: Springfield Township High School (PA) (video) Everyone–Annual Reports NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Annual Reports from Durant and Salem Salem Middle School Library Media Annual Report NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Tools You Can Use to Share Data • Photos • An Active Media Center Website • Web 2.0 Tools—Blogs, wikis, twitter, Facebook, glogster, wallwisher, etc. TELL STORIES!! PUT DATA IN CONTEXT!! NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Question for the Audience… • How are you sharing data with your stakeholders? • What mechanisms are you using? NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Action Plan • What are 3 things you will do to prove your worth? NCSLMA November 4, 2010
Additional Resources • WebJunction: Demonstrating Impact • Everyday Advocacy: Making a Case for Libraries is easy with Web Tools (SLJ, August 2010) • SaveLibraries.org • Igniting a Passion for Reading by Dr. Steven Layne • Knowledge Quest: Evidence-based Practice, vol. 37, no. 2. Nov./Dec. 2008 • Output Measures for School Library Media Programs by Frances Bryant Bradburn. • Toward a 21st Century Media Program, edited by Esther Rosenfeld