School Librarianship Overview

The school librarian plans and manages the school library, working with the academic community and other libraries.

Providing access to information and ideas, both physical and intellectual, fostering learning and teaching.

Well-trained and motivated staff are crucial for effective school library programs to meet the needs of the school community.

Library staff's roles, duties, responsibilities, conditions of employment, and compensation should be clear and meet the needs of the libraries' and the staff.

School library programs should be led by qualified staff, such as teachers to ensure high quality services and efficient use of resources

Needs are varied and dependent on the individual school, based on its size, budget, curriculum, teaching methods and the unique needs of the student body

Resource management, library management, information management, and teaching skills are vital for effective school librarians.

School librarians are key leaders in the school, needing the same level of education as administrators or specialists. Their roles are focused on instruction, management, and collaboration.

The librarian teaches students individually, in groups, and to whole classes. This also includes teacher training.

Librarians work with reading, information literacy, and inquiry-based learning (like problem-based activities). They also help integrate technology and mentor teachers.

Librarians organize the library—physical and digital resources, services, and staff—making sure it works smoothly.

Hiring, training, and supervising library staff is a part of the librarian's management role.

Working with teachers and administrators, the librarian creates and implements programs to help support the school's mission.

Helping to bring technology into learning in the school.

Clerical staff and technical support takes care of daily library operations so librarians focus on teaching and leadership roles.

The school librarian collaborates with school leaders to showcase library's role in the school's mission. They report to the headteacher or deputy head, participate in school planning, and facilitate school-wide consistency.

School libraries should work with other libraries, particularly public ones, to enhance services for both young adults and children.

A formal agreement between school and public libraries defining cooperation areas, cost sharing, and a timeframe.

Areas of collaboration between school and public libraries include staff training, collection development, electronic services, and joint promotion of library resources.

Communicating library services to different users (teachers, students, parents, etc.), aligning services with user needs and preferences.

A written plan detailing how to promote library services, developed collaboratively with school leadership and staff, outlining objectives and evaluation methods.

Key groups to communicate library services with, including administrators, teachers, students, and parents.

Librarians working alongside heads and staff for collaboration on new strategies and plans

Paraprofessionals support librarians with clerical and technical tasks, like shelving and cataloging.

Volunteers assist with library tasks under structured agreements; not substitutes for paid staff.

Senior students, selected through application, trained for specific, age-appropriate tasks.

All staff, including volunteers, maintain high ethical standards in interactions and service provision.

Children, youth, and adults are treated equally, with respect for privacy and access to information.

Stewardship, service, intellectual freedom, and equity are integral to librarianship.

Analyzing community needs, creating service policies, developing collection policies, classifying materials, training users, assisting users, answering questions, promoting programs, curriculum planning, program evaluation, partnership development, budgeting, and staff management are key roles.

School libraries must understand and meet the needs of all members of the school community, including students, teachers, staff, and parents

Analyzing the information needs of the entire school community (students, teachers, staff) is crucial.

Creating and maintaining a library collection that aligns with the curriculum and community needs.

Teaching students and staff how to find, evaluate, and use reliable information effectively.

Assessing the effectiveness of the library's programs and services to achieve their goals.

Creating and managing the library's financial plan and resources.

Intellectual freedom, access to information, and equity are core principles of library organizations and professionals.

Guarantees freedom of expression and access to information, highlighting the importance of libraries in promoting these.

A school librarian's role is multifaceted, encompassing leadership, change-making, and community engagement.

School librarians help students develop key skills like information literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving, as part of NEP 2020.

The school librarian serves as a facilitator of learning, primarily focused on empowering students with important abilities.

The librarian supports the learning process by expertly managing and guiding students with information access.

The school librarian provides essential support by assisting teachers and students with the school curriculum.

NCFSE 2023 emphasizes the integration of technology and digital resources in education, where the librarian acts as a guide.

School librarians should support students and teachers by improving their skills for using various digital tools and platforms.

Librarians manage the collection of resources, both physical and digital, to ensure efficient learning support for students and teachers

The school librarian trains students to use information precisely, ethically, and responsibly for their learning purposes.

School libraries aim to cultivate important skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration, demanded in today's world.