Advocacy

We define School Library Advocacy as proactive communication to positively inform and influence community members and decision makers. 

Effective advocacy is informed by the positive trends in librarianship and studies that illustrate the value of our programs. Below is a collection of tools, articles, and published reports about School Library Advocacy.

WEBSITES

American Association of School Libraries (AASL) Toolkits:

Including a Crisis Toolkit, Parent Advocate Toolkit, and @your library Toolkit for School Librarians.

Rutgers School of Communication and Information, Center for International Scholarship in School Libraries (CISSL): Provides access to several published reports and position papers.

Library Research Service: School Library Impact studies, including infographics and videos.

Maine State Library: Advocacy and Community Relations: MSL's Library Advocacy Resources collection 

What are the Savings that School Libraries Bring to their Schools?: School Library Value Calculator

California Campaign for Strong School Libraries: Infographics, research results, and resources for librarians, parents and community members.

Online Articles

Study Shows How Third-Grade Reading Skills and Poverty Influence High School Graduation

A national study commissioned by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, found that students who don’t read proficiently by third grade are four times more likely to leave without a diploma than proficient readers. The report, "Double Jeopardy: How Poverty & Third-Grade Reading Skills Influence High School Graduation," breaks down for the first time the likelihood of graduation by different reading skill levels and poverty experiences.

 23 Studies Find Positive Link Between Library Spending and Student Learning 

A Los Angeles Times response to school cuts

School Libraries Work

Moran, Mark. (2010). Young Learners Need Librarians, Not Just Google. Forbes.

Colorado State Library released an infographic snapshot of Colorado/national studies done over the last 2 decades that show how teacher-librarians (school library media specialists here in Maine) have a positive impact on student test scores. Visit the link below to access both online and scroll down to see the ‘printing’ link
http://www.lrs.org/news/2013/02/27/make-the-case-for-school-libraries-with-our-new-impact-studies-infographic/

This article provides a good summary of the findings of a Pennsylvania survey on the importance of school libraries in relation to students’ test scores.  It also gives some very good advice about how to advocate for your school library.
http://www.slj.com/2012/10/librarians/slj-summit-2012-full-time-school-librarians-boost-student-test-scores-in-reading-writing-says-pa-report/#_

PRINT ARTICLES

Anderson, M. A. (2011). What happens when media positions are cut? Library Media Connection, 29(6), 16-18.

When media specialists are cut, information literacy instruction and research instruction are also cut because there is no one to provide direct instruction or to collaborate with teachers to integrate those aspects of learning into the curriculum.

Baumbach, D. J. (2003). Making the Grade: The Status of School Library Media Centers in the Sunshine State and How They Contribute to Student Achievement. Orlando, FL: University of Central Florida. 

Baumbach’s study of high schools concluded students at schools with well-staffed libraries and high circulations performed better on Florida’s
required standardized tests.

Francis, B. F., Lance, K. C., & Lietzau, Z. (2010). School librarians continue to help students achieve standards: The third Colorado study. Denver, 

Jaeger, P. (2011). Transliteracy Undefined: New library lingo and what it means for instruction. Library Media Connection, 30(2), 44-47. 

Todd, R. J., & Kuhlthau, C. (December, 2003). Student learning through school libraries: A summary of the Ohio research study. Presented at the Ohio Educational Media Association.

Last updated January, 2015