Front and Center

FRONT AND CENTERThe School Principal and the School Library

Nancy MageeAdministrator for Board Support and Community RelationsSan Mateo County Office of Education

IS YOUR SCHOOL PRINCIPAL AFRONTLINE LIBRARY ADVOCATE?

ALA Resources: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/advlegadvocacyuniversity/frontline_advocacy/frontline_school

PRINCIPALS HAVE A CRITICAL ROLE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CHANGE IN SCHOOLS(MICHAEL FULLEN, 2002 )

“Although teacher-librarians generally view principal support as being critical to the success of the library program (Haycock, 1995), they often have low expectations of principal support (J.M.

Campbell, 1991) and rarely engage in the kind of activities that would increase their principal’s understanding and support.” (Edwards, 1989)

TH

E T

HR

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RelationshipsRelationshipsRelationships

BUILD A STRONG FOUNDATION

Be patient; good relationships take time Be intentional; start with names Build professional credibility Communicate effectively Work to advance school goals Begin with the willing Be positive and welcoming

BUILD A DIVERSE NETWORKON THE FRONTLINE

Stu

dents

Fam

ilies

Cam

pu

s Lead

ers

Com

mu

nity

Partn

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SHUSH?WHAT THE PRINCIPAL HEARS…

If the Principal believes the library is a warehouse and librarians are service providers who only respond to teacher or student requests, then …

MAKE SOME NOISE!

A FRONTLINE PRINCIPAL …….

Explicitly articulates the value of a strong school library program

Includes the library in conversations with students, parents, other principals and district administrators

Enables librarian to rotate to common planning time meetings

Is visible Has expectations

A FRONTLINE PRINCIPAL …….

Connects library With technology

21st Century Learning

A FRONTLINE PRINCIPAL …….

Reflects trust in teacher librarian knowledge

Includes library program in staff meeting topics and discussions

Expects evidence of collaboratively planned projects as part of teacher coaching

ALIGN THE PARTNERSHIPSPEAK A COMMON LANGUAGE

ALIGN THE PARTNERSHIPSPEAK A COMMON LANGUAGE

RESOURCES

RESOURCES

RESOURCES

LAUNCH YOUR PRINCIPAL TO THE FRONTLINE

THANK YOU

Nancy MageeAdministrator for Board Support and Community Relations

San Mateo County Office of Education

nmagee@smcoe.k12.ca.us

(650) 802-5553