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OASL on Strong School Library Programs

Introduction:
In 2009, the Oregon State Legislature passed House Bill 2586, which amended Oregon Revised Statutes 327.297 and 329.095 and added a new element in the Continuous Improvement Plans, whereby school districts shall identify goals toward implementing a strong school library program. In December 2013, the State Board of Education approved updates to sections (1)(l) and (7)(j) of the related Oregon Administrative Rule, 581-022-2250, to reflect the school library addition. The following resources were gathered to support school districts in completing this new portion of their Continuous Improvement Plans.

Documents:
Letter to Superintendents (May 2014)
Letter to Superintendents (April 2010)
Position Statement

School Library Indicators:

These are the two school library indicators to be addressed when completing the district Continuous Improvement Plan:
            • The district provides all students and staff in each school with equitable access to a comprehensive library program which provides instruction in information literacy and research proficiencies, promotes integration of digital learning resources, advances reading engagement, and creates collaborative learning opportunities with teachers. (DTL5.5)
            • The district ensures that all students and staff in each school have equitable access to a professionally-developed and well-managed school library collection of current and diverse print and electronic resources that supports teaching and learning, college and career readiness, and reading engagement. (DTL5.6)
Resources:
Standards
           Compiled by the California Department of Education
School Libraries Impact Studies
           Research and statistics compiled by Library Research Service
School Libraries Work!
           Summarizes key findings from multiple research studies of school library programs; compiled by Scholastic

School Library Research Summarized
           A booklet compiled by graduate students at Mansfield University 

Information for Administrators
Getting the Most from Your School Library Program
           Includes “13-Point Library Media Program Checklist for School Principals” by Doug Johnson
Implementing the Common Core State Standards: The Role of the School Librarian
           Designed for school librarians and for school leaders as they rethink and re-envision the role that the library can play in a major school improvement initiative; action brief from Achieve and AASL
Leading In and Beyond the Library
           Explains the key role that school librarians and libraries play in state and district-wide efforts to transition to digital learning; report from Alliance for Excellent Education
The Principal’s Guide to a Powerful Library Media Program
           Book by Dr. Marla McGhee, a former school administrator, and Barbara Jansen, school librarian; borrow this title from the State Library
Principals Know: School Librarians are the Heart of the School
           5-minute film that features administrators around the country describing the value of the librarian in school culture; coordinated by educational leadership and library & information studies professors at Texas Woman’s University    
School Library Programs Improve Student Learning
           Brochure from AASL         
 
Staffing and Budget Recommendations and Resources
Average Book Prices
           Compiled annually by School Library Journal staff
Oregon Administrative Rule 581-022-1520: Media Programs
           Provides staffing and per student library media center materials budget guidelines for prototype schools
Quote from ODE’s “Resources and Research for Oregon’s District Improvement Indicators” (p. 103):
           As districts are coming out of the recession and seeing an increase in funding from multiple sources, district policies and practices on staffing of school libraries should be reviewed. Many districts have moved away from certified staff in libraries and have hired paraprofessionals to staff libraries full or part-time. The evidence is clear that district policy and hiring practice should favor placing a full-time, certified school librarian in each school library.
 
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