#NYLA2014 : School Library Services Summit in Review

On the panel:

• John Brock
• Melissa Jacobs Israel
• Jill Leinung
• Sara Kelly Johns

A variety of people/stakeholders were invited to participate in the Summit, while trying to keep the number of participants under 50.  This was a working event, comprised of five groups that began working ahead of the Summit.  The Summit ended with recommendations being presented to people include the Commissioner of Education, the Director of NYLA, two of the Regents, and others.

The recommendations and information on participants are at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/technology/library/summit.html 

In the audience, it was noted that we want to empower students to do inquiry.

The word "research" does not imply "library."  We need to ensure that resources for teachers and principals include the words "library" and "librarian," so they understand that research is broader than their current model.

Students need to take time to learn and recognize that learning can be messy.

The modules that teachers are using are very regimented.  Teachers need to take time to allow for the messiness of learning.

Mentioned: Tony Wagner, "Rigor Redefined" http://www.tonywagner.com/resources/rigor-redefined

• Critical thinking and problem solving
• Collaboration and leadership 
• Agility and adaptability
• Initiative and entrepreneurialism
• Effective oral and written communication
• Accessing and analyzing information
• Curiosity and imagination 

Learning needs to be scaffolded, which is important when we talk about the Empire State Information Fluency Continuum (IFC), common core, etc.  The IFC is online at engageNY.org.

The panel noted that actions are being taken on the recommendations.  However, all school librarians can play a role in pushing out the recommendations and getting them worked on.  

School librarians should consider doing presentations at non-library conferences. That would help make connections and collaborations between librarians and teachers.

The 2009 Summit included/created a school library evaluation rubric.  See http://www.p12.nysed.gov/technology/library/SLMPE_rubric/home.html

---

11/11/2014: All URLs were corrected.