Building Partnerships:
School Libraries & Public Libraries
Beth Wheeler Dean
Schooling
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B.S. in Accounting, Mississippi University for
Women
M.L.S., University of Alabama
Experience
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25 years in public libraries
Adjunct Instructor, University of Alabama, SLIS
20 years working with children in libraries, schools
and churches
Kimberley L. Jones, M.S.L.I.S.
Schooling
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B.S. in Liberal Studies from Athens State College
M.S. in Library & Information Science from
University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign
Experience
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7 years in Public Libraries
8 years in School Libraries
The Nuts and Bolts of the
Public Library
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Basic Characteristics
Population Served
Political Climate
Funding
Basic Characteristics
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Using the public library is a choice and consequently
must be perceived as a value to the patron.
Public libraries serve multiple needs within a
community.
Public libraries should have changed significantly in
the last ten years.
Public libraries are now charged with serving
patrons that do not enter their facilities.
Population Served
Everyone
Political Climate
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Funding for public libraries is tied directly to
governmental funding sources.
Public libraries seldom have guaranteed
funding and must request funds from local
government every fiscal year.
Public libraries must constantly balance local
political views and issues with needs of
patrons for information and materials.
Funding
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There’s never enough money, staff, or
resources.
A significant amount of time, personnel and
resources must be used to maintain funding
levels.
Public libraries must constantly looking for
new sources of money.
The School Library Environment
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Alabama PEPE Job Goal
PEPE Performance Responsibilities
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Relating to School & Public Library Collaboration
ALA’s “Position Statement on the Value of
Independent Reading”
Encouraging a Life-long Love of Reading
A School LMS Should …
Library Media Specialist’s “Job Goal”
(According to Alabama PEPE)
“To help students learn subject matter and
skills that will contribute to their
development as mature, able, responsible
members of society and to provide for
student and teacher utilization of a
comprehensive program of library media
skills and services.”
Appendix A, Library Media Specialist Evaluation Manual, PEPE of Alabama
Performance Responsibilities
(relating to School and Public Library collaboration)
The following items are taken from the ALSDE
School LMS job description
 Determines individual, class, and school
needs.
 Exhibits positive human relations skills.
 Communicates with parents/guardians,
colleagues, and community groups.
Appendix A, Library Media Specialist Evaluation Manual, PEPE of Alabama
According to ALA’s “Position Statement on
the Value of Independent Reading in the
School Library Media Program”:
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Many of today’s students have little or no interest in
reading for pleasure. Most reading is done because it is
required, and therefore students do not possess a love
of reading.
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School Library Media programs must work with
teachers, parents, and the community in order to help
generate life-long pleasure in reading.
From ALA’s “Position Statement on the Value of Independent Reading in the School Library Media Program.”
http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslproftools/positionstatements/aaslpositionstatementvalueindependent.cfm
According to the American Library
Association, a School LMS should:
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endeavor to facilitate student enjoyment of
reading.
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encourage students to read for fun.
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promote the reading of books that challenge
students’ thinking and reading skills.
From ALA’s “Position Statement on the Value of Independent Reading in the School Library Media Program.”
http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslproftools/positionstatements/aaslpositionstatementvalueindependent.cfm
How can School Library Media Specialists
encourage a love of reading?
Students need . . .
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access to current, quality high-interest, and
extensive collections of books and other print
materials in their library media centers,
classrooms, and public libraries.
contact with adults who read regularly and
widely and who serve as positive reading
role models.
From ALA’s “Position Statement on the Value of Independent Reading in the School Library Media Program.”
http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslproftools/positionstatements/aaslpositionstatementvalueindependent.cfm
How can School Library Media Specialists
encourage a love of reading?
Students need . . .
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certified school library media specialists and
classroom teachers who demonstrate their
enthusiasm for reading by reading aloud and
book-talking.
time during the school day dedicated to
reading for pleasure, information and
exploration.
From ALA’s “Position Statement on the Value of Independent Reading in the School Library Media Program.”
http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslproftools/positionstatements/aaslpositionstatementvalueindependent.cfm
How can School Library Media Specialists
encourage a love of reading?
Students need . . .
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opportunities specifically designed to engage
them in reading.
schools that create an environment where
independent reading is valued, promoted,
and encouraged.
opportunities that involve caregivers,
parents, and other family members in
reading.
From ALA’s “Position Statement on the Value of Independent Reading in the School Library Media Program.”
http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslproftools/positionstatements/aaslpositionstatementvalueindependent.cfm
The Starting Point
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What You Bring to the Table
What You Get for the Effort
Going By the Book
Playing Well with Others
Why it Matters
What You Bring to the Table
Public Library
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Larger Collections
Research Experience &
Research Collections
After-School Hours
Different Perspective to
the same problems
School Library
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Students
Parents
Teachers
Essentially, more
Patrons
What You Get for the Effort
A Greater Impact
Public Library
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School Library
More Circulation
Larger Audience for
Web Presence
“Brand” Recognition
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Students and parents
know you on sight
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Students will
maintain reading
ability over the
breaks.
A Different Voice
A Fresh Face
Going By the Book
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Begin with informal communication
Start with who you will be working with, not
the administration
Seek input from the population you want to
serve. (i.e. teachers, students, and library
staff)
Keep your administration aware of the
project and all school responsibilities.
Playing Well with Others
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Know who you are
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Do what you do best
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Use everyone’s talents.
Stick with it
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Be true to your mission and goals.
Give it time to see results—”the masses” will not appear
overnight.
Follow through
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Don’t make promises you can’t keep.
Why It Matters
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The kids.
Creating life-long learners and life-long library users
The community should not pay for the same
resources two times.
Collaboration means big points in grant proposals.
More advocates for school libraries and public
libraries.
Cooperation makes everyone look good.
Building Partnerships
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Finding Friends
Selling the Administration (Both of them)
Selling the Faculty/Staff
Selling the Community
Selling the Kids
Finding Friends
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Find out about organizations associated with
either group
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Library schools
Never underestimate a contact
Check out local websites
Don’t be afraid to make the first move
Selling the Administration
(Both of Them)
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It takes time on both sides
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Sell the benefits
Possible cynic scenarios:
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“They don’t give us money.” (PL)
“There’s not enough time in the day.” (Schools)
“It takes too much time and effort.” (Both)
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You must allow time for the programs to take effect
You know fairly quickly whether someone wants to
work with you
Selling the Faculty/Staff
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Think outside the box
Make it easy and worth their while
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Teachers already have so much on their plates
Teachers need to know what they get out of the
partnership
Selling the Community
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Parents need to see you and recognize you
Make it worth their while to bring their kids
to you
Don’t waste their time
Selling the Kids
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Excite the students
You love them, and they’ll love you
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Be genuine
“Brand” Recognition
The More the Merrier
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Stay True to Yourself
Bringing Your “A” Game
Enlarging the Circle
Being a Team Player
Staying True to Yourself
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You are there to enrich and expand services
Do your job
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Let the other LMS do his/her job and you do
yours
Don’t wait for someone to come to you
Don’t be afraid to ask
Bringing Your “A” Game
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Do your best
Plan ahead
Follow through
Enlarging the Circle
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Cooperate
Share
Enjoy being part of a group
Ask for help, ideas, and suggestions
Being a Team Player
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Don’t expect to be “Queen” every day.
Share the work, share the credit.
Be loyal to team members.
Make it fun for all.
Successes and Failures
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Sometimes it works…
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Storytelling at Fall Festival
Read Across America
Extra resources for teachers
Sometimes it doesn’t…
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Homework Central
Motheread
Sometimes it just doesn’t work
Online Resources
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ALSC School/Public Library Cooperative Programs
http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/alscresources/forlibrarians/Sch
oolPLCoopProgs.htm
Public Library / Local School Partnerships
http://midhudson.org/funding/marketing/School_Library_P
artnerships.htm
Online Journals for School Librarians
http://www.nypl.org/branch/services/JournalsForSchoolLibr
arians.html
Together: Librarians and Teachers as Education Partners
http://www.edukatetodd.com/cooperation/
GO FOR IT!!