Goals, Objectives, & Activities



Table 1 - Needs Assessment Priorities Addressed by Strategic PlanNeeds Assessment PrioritiesStrategic Goal Addressing Need in Priority Order1) Create a library website that supports student learning through providing resources for teachers, students, and information for parents on how to access library services; 3. Effective, award-winning digital resources and current, relevant technology for advancing the learning goals of 21st century learners; 5. Timely connection with XX Library community using a variety of communication tools by December 20162) Engage parents as potential library advocates and funding sources (PTA) through communicating services (esp. Big Universe) and providing opportunities to visit the library; 2. Inspirational literary experiences throughout the year to foster the on-going development of a reading culture at XX Elementary by June 2019; 5. Timely connection with Cameron Library community using a variety of communication tools by December 20163) Build print collection with current, curriculum-relevant print titles; 1. High quality, high interest, awarding winning book collection by June 20194) Update technology in the library; 3. Effective, award-winning digital resources and current, relevant technology for advancing the learning goals of 21st century learners5) Update library’s physical space.4. Modern, comfortable, kid-friendly library space by June 2019Table SEQ Table \* ARABIC 2 - School 2 Needs Assessment Priorities Addressed by Strategic PlanNeeds Assessment PrioritiesStrategic Goal Addressing Need in Priority Order1) Growing a student’s love of reading Goal 1 - High quality collection that empowers students and teachers by spring 2020. 2) Creating a welcoming environment that grows a love of reading and learning.Goal 3 is Library as Place by Fall 20173) Increase collaboration with teachersGoal 3 is Library as Place by Fall 20174) Update technology in the library; Goal 2 is State-of-the-art and relevant technology resources by spring 20185) Center of learning for the school, a hub of activity, creativity, and learning Goal 4 is Library as a place of learning by Fall 2017Appendix A – School 1 General Interview QuestionsWhat is your personal experience with libraries?As a parent, what are your expectations of your child’s school library?As a teacher, what were your expectations of your school’s library?What are the primary educational goals and/or priorities for X Elementary school students?In what ways can school libraries best help schools attain these goals/priorities?Do you feel that administrators and teachers clearly understand how school libraries can best help their schools attain these goals/priorities?To what extent do you feel that school libraries are equipped with the resources they need to help their schools attain these goals/priorities?Are you aware of the growing body of research that shows reading print books lead to higher levels of learning and retention than e-books?How important is basic reading literacy for elementary school students at X Elementary School? How best do school libraries help with this?How do you feel about independent reading incentives and what do you think their effect is on the literacy goals on an elementary school?How satisfied are you with the quality of the services provided by the library at X Elementary? What do feel are its major strengths and opportunities for improvement?Ideally, how would the physical space of the library be used to help accomplish the school’s mission?Does the school library have the technology, print materials, and digital resources needed to support twenty-first century students?How would you like to see the librarian collaborating with teachers?What impact does the librarian have on student learning at X Elementary?Does the librarian have access to the materials, resources, and professional development needed to deliver high quality library services to the students and staff of X Elementary?How would you like to see the librarian using her time? ?If possible, describe tasks by the percentage of time she should spend completing them. What is your vision for the future of X Elementary Media Center?Appendix B – Teacher Interview QuestionsWhat are the primary educational goals for your school?How can the library best help your school attain those goals?To what extent do you feel that the school library is equipped with the resources needed to help your school attain those goals?Does the school library have the technology, print materials, and digital resources needed to support twenty-first century students?How satisfied are you with the quality of the services provided by the library at X Elementary? What do feel are its major strengths and opportunities for improvement?Ideally, how would the physical space of the library be used to help accomplish the school’s mission?How would you like to see the librarian collaborating with teachers?Are there any other ways that you would like the library or librarian to support your classroom instruction?What is your vision for the future of X Elementary Media Center?What are your top 3 goals for the library in the coming years?Appendix C – Librarian Interview QuestionsThis diagram from ALA provides ideas about what to consider when completing a SWOT analysis related to a library program. I thought it might provide you with some direction when answering the questions. Another thing to think about is that strengths and weaknesses are generally seen as internal, while opportunities and threats stem primarily from external sources (for example, a professional development class might be an opportunity from an external source). 1. What are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to the library program?STRENGTHSWhat are your library’s strongest contributions to your community? What does your library do that no one else does?What do your users like best about your library?WEAKNESSESIn what areas does your library have fewer resources than you need?What else needs improvement? What do your users wish you did better? OPPORTUNITIESWhat could you do if only your library had the resources to do it?What is happening in the world now that you would like to take advantage of? How can your strengths open doors to opportunities for your library?THREATSWhat is happening in the world that could impact your library negatively? What library services are provided elsewhere with greater ease for users? What weaknesses leave you vulnerable to cuts in or competition for your services? 2. What do you think that your primary tasks as a school librarian should be? If possible, indicate what percent of your time you should spend doing various tasks. (For example, “One of my primary tasks is teaching students. I should spend about 30 percent of my time teaching classes.”) 3. To what extent does your current work impact student learning? How could you have a greater impact on student learning?Appendix D – Parent Focus Group QuestionsWhat are your primary educational goals for your children?How can school libraries best help your children attain those goals?How satisfied are you with the quality of the library services at X? What are the library’s strengths? What are some areas in which you’d like to see improvements?To what extent are you aware of the services and resources that the library provides?How would you like to see the librarian communicating and collaborating with parents?What resources would you like for your child to have access to at the school library (including books, digital resources, and technology)?What are your top goals for the library?Appendix E – Elementary School Student Focus Group Protocol and QuestionsDear Focus Group Moderator: Thanks for volunteering your time to help us conduct a needs assessment for the X Elementary Library! We appreciate your contribution to our project. Please be sure to record the session. X will provide you with the necessary technology. Here are some tips for successful focus group moderation (from Duke Assessment): The focus group moderator has a responsibility to adequately cover all prepared questions within the time allotted. S/he also has a responsibility to get all participants to talk and fully explain their answers. Some helpful probes include: ? “Can you talk about that more?” ? “Help me understand what you mean” ? “Can you give an example?” ‰ It is good moderator practice to paraphrase and summarize long, complex or ambiguous comments. It demonstrates active listening and clarifies the comment for everyone in the group. ‰ Because the moderator holds a position of authority and perceived influence, s/he must remain neutral, refraining from nodding/raising eyebrows, agreeing/disagreeing, or praising/denigrating any comment made. ‰ A moderator must tactfully deal with challenging participants. Here are some appropriate strategies: ? Self-appointed experts: “Thank you. What do other people think?” ? The dominator: “Let’s have some other comments.” ?The rambler: Stop eye contact; look at your watch; jump in at their inhale. ? The shy participant: Make eye contact; call on them; smile at them. ? The participant who talks very quietly: Ask them to repeat their response more loudly. Once the children arrive, please read the following: Thanks for coming today to talk with us about the X Elementary Media Center. The librarian is doing a needs assessment of the media center to determine what is working well and what could be improved. We are asking parents, teachers, principals, and counselors--even the superintendent!--to tell us their thoughts about the X Elementary Media Center. You have a really valuable perspective about the library as students, so today we want to ask you some questions. Please be honest! We are going to record it so that the people who are creating the media center plan can listen to your ideas later. How do you use the X Elementary library? (If students need more prompting, you may ask “What do you do in the X Elementary library?”)What kind of things have you learned from the school librarian?Describe the school library of your dreams. How does the librarian or the library help you succeed in school?If a school librarian was going to be most helpful to students, what would she or he spend the day doing?What do you like best about the library?What would you improve about the library? What do you think are the most important things for a school librarian to do?Describe how you feel when you are in the library?What is your opinion about the school wide programs that library has like One Book One School, author visits, and the Million Word board?What do you think about the library schedule?Describe how you use technology (device/online sites) in the library.For those of you who have been at X since you were in kindergarten, do you think the library meets the needs of students from kindergarten all the way through to 4th or 5th grade?If you have gone to other elementary schools, is there something that you liked about your other library that you wish we did at the X Library?Appendix F – Elementary School Teacher and Staff Focus Group Questions1. What is your primary role in the school?Classroom TeacherAdministratorStudent Support ServicesParentOther _______________2. What grade do you primarily serve?K12345I work with students from all grades3. Please indicate your overall satisfaction with library services at X Elementary School. Very dissatisfiedSomewhat dissatisfied Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied Somewhat satisfied Very satisfied Please indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statements: (1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree)Physical & Virtual Space of the Media CenterThe media center is easily accessible to students. The media center is welcoming to students.The technology in the media center meets the needs of 21st century learners. The media center’s website supports student learning. Please elaborate on your ratings:School Librarian Primary TasksThe primary tasks of the school librarian should be to:Develop a relevant book collection that reflects the needs and specific interests of our students.Weed and remove books that are not being used.Closely collaborate with teachers to understand their specific needs and ensure the appropriate resources and services are provided.Reimagine and redesign the library to reflect a 21st century social learning space.Identify innovative technology hardware and software that both facilitates and supplements students and teachers in the learning process.Oversee school library website to provide online access to the catalog and other quality teaching and learning resources.Primarily provide direct IT support for the entire school.Primarily teach research and information literacy classes.Please elaborate on your ratings:Access to ResourcesThe media center contains a collection of books that inspires a love of reading for my students. The media center contains print resources that support my curriculum. The media center provides access to digital resources that support my curriculum. Please elaborate on your ratings:Leadership and CollaborationI have a positive relationship with the librarian. The librarian provides me with professional development that enhances my classroom instruction.The librarian shares tools, strategies, and resources with me that enhance my classroom instruction.The librarian collaborates with me in planning instruction. Please elaborate on your ratings:Impact on Student LearningPlease indicate the impact that the librarian has on your students in the following areas: Scale Rating: 0-30=no impact1=indirect impact (the library offers materials and technology that indirectly impact student learning in this area)2=direct impact (the librarian interacts with student and/or staff to directly impact learning in this area) 3=critical impact (the librarian is the person in the school who has the most significant impact on learning in this area)Areas: Information Literacy (accessing, evaluating, and using information resources effectively) Technological Literacy (how to use technology) Digital Citizenship (safe, ethical use of technology) Reading comprehension Reading appreciation (fostering a love for reading)Please elaborate on your ratings:Please provide any additional comments about how the library can best serve the staff and students of X Elementary School.Appendix G – Elementary School Student Survey Questions (Grades K-2)1. What grade are you in?K12How do you feel about: The media centerThe books in the media centerThe technology in the media centerFinding information in the media centerFinding books in the media centerWhat you have learned from the librarian this yearFor each question, kids can circle face that corresponds to happy, no opinion, or sad? Appendix H – Elementary School Student Survey Questions (Grades 3-5)1. What grade are you in?3452. How happy are you with library services at your school?Very happySomewhat happy Neither happy nor unhappy Somewhat unhappy Very unhappy Check the box to show whether the following statements are true, somewhat true, or false. Physical & Virtual Space of the Media Center1.I can visit the media center when I need to. 2.I feel welcome in the media center. 3.I use the media center’s website. Access to Resources4. The media center has books that I enjoy reading.5.The media center has books that help me with school assignments. 6.The media center has technology that helps me with school assignments. Impact on Student Learning7.The librarian teaches me how to find information.8.The librarian teaches me how to use technology. 9.The librarian helps me become a better reader. 10.The librarian helps me find books that I enjoy reading. What are your favorite things about the library?What are some ways you would improve the library?Appendix I – School 2 Administrator Interview QuestionsWhat is your personal experience with libraries?As an administrator, what are your expectations of your school library?What are the primary educational goals and/or priorities for the students at your school?In what ways can school libraries best help schools attain these goals/priorities?Do you feel that administrators and teachers clearly understand how school libraries can best help their schools attain these goals/priorities?To what extent do you feel that school libraries are equipped with the resources they need to help their schools attain these goals/priorities?Are you aware of the growing body of research that shows reading print books lead to higher levels of learning and retention than e-books?How important is basic reading literacy for elementary school students? How best do school libraries help with this? (OPTIONAL: How do you feel about independent reading for pleasure and what do you think the effect is on the literacy of the student?)To what extent do you feel that elementary students go to the public library?How satisfied are you with the quality of the services provided by the library at the elementary school? What do feel are its major strengths and opportunities for improvement?Ideally, how would the physical space of the library be used to help accomplish the school’s mission?Does the school library have the technology, print materials, and digital resources needed to support twenty-first century students?How would you like to see the librarian collaborating with teachers?What impact does the librarian have on student learning?Does the librarian have access to the materials, resources, and professional development needed to deliver high quality library services to the students and staff?How would you like to see the librarian using her/his time? If possible, describe tasks by the percentage of time she should spend completing them. What is your vision for the future of the elementary school library?Appendix J - School 2 Librarian InterviewThis diagram from ALA provides ideas about what to consider when completing a SWOT analysis related to a library program. I thought it might provide you with some direction when answering the questions. Another thing to think about is that strengths and weaknesses are generally seen as internal, while opportunities and threats stem primarily from external sources (for example, a professional development class might be an opportunity from an external source). What is your ideal vision for your school library? What are your biggest challenges and concerns right now? STRENGTHSWhat are your library’s strongest contributions to your school community? What does your library do that no one else does? What do your users like best about your library?What do you think you do best? WEAKNESSESIn what areas does your library have fewer resources than you need?What else needs improvement?What do your users wish you did better? Do you feel that your users know and understand what you do, eg. administration, teachers, students, parents, district. OPPORTUNITIESWhat could you do if only your library had the resources to do it?Given your unique student population, are there resources that you can use in your library eg. bilingual resources and volunteers, list of high priority needs of spanish speaking community, cultural programs. What is happening in your community now that you would like to take advantage of? How can your strengths open doors to opportunities for your library?THREATSWhat is happening in the school community and district that could impact your library negatively?What library services are not provided that your users need?Does your school administration have a clear understanding of how the school library impacts student achievement? What weaknesses leave you vulnerable to cuts in or competition for your services? Do your other stakeholders have a clear understanding of how the school library impacts student achievement? (eg teachers, parents, students) Do you have a budget? Appendix K – School 2 School Community SurveyMy role within the xx community is:1Parent7.14%12Teacher50.00%73School Administration7.14%14District Administration0.00%05School Staff35.71%56Other0.00%0Total100%14To what extent do you agree with the following: My school library/media center meets my needs for...1Meeting Space2Technology3Books and Other Materials4Individualized Learning Space5Volunteers or VolunteeringThe librarian at my school meets my needs for...1Teaching Resources2Instructional Collaboration3Technology SupportPlease rank the following in terms of importance when using the school library:1Meeting Space2Individualized Learning Space3Technology4Teaching Resources5Books and Other Information Resources6OtherPlease rank the following in terms of importance when using the school library:1Instructional Support2Help from Library Staff3Volunteers/volunteering4Space to Read5OtherTo what extent do you agree with the following: The school library is meeting the needs of the students mostly through...1Getting help on a project from the librarian.2Finding resources needed for a specific class project.3Learning how to use a library.4A place to read or study.5Socializing with friends.6OtherThe school library meets the needs of the students by being a place to:1Create and interact through maker spaces/STEAM kits.2Access reading material for pleasure.3Access reading material for class assignments.4Access technology.5OtherTo what extent is the following important to student academic achievement:1Reading Literacy2Digital Literacy3Access to high quality, relevant reading material4A place to read, work, and study5A place to collaborate and socialize6Access to Technology7Access to Culturally Relevant Services and ResourcesAppendix L – Project Phases and TimelineTaskDuePersonStatusCommentsKickoff Planning Meeting5/10/2016TeamNeeds Assessment PreparationLiterature Review5/24/2017ongoingDevelop Interview Questions 6/1/2016Drafts SharedDevelop Survey Questions6/1/2016Drafts SharedDevelop Interview Questions for Students6/1/2016Drafts SharedIRB submission6/1/2016startedData Collection7/10/2016InterviewsDistrict Media Coordinator6/15/2016SuperintendentPrincipalAssistant PrincipalPTA presidentLeadership Team Chair4th grade teacher2nd grade teacherLibrarianEmailed this is ready for you wheneverFocus GroupsLeadership TeamStudents6/8/2016PTA Surveys: Student, Parent/Teacher/ and Self-Efficacy7/10/2016Design Survey6/15/2016Pilot Test Survey6/22/2016Launch Survey6/23/2016Preliminary Report7/10/2016Develop Strategic Plan (3-year plan)Establish steering committeeVision7/17/2016Mission7/17/2016Core Values7/17/2016Core Competencies7/17/2016High Priority Goals, Objectives, Tactics7/24/2016Share draft plan with stakeholdersFinalize Strategic Plan8/1/2016 Appendix M – School 1 Strategic Plan Vision: The XX Elementary Library seeks to invite the community to independently explore their unique strengths and interests in a safe, nurturing, 21st century environment.Mission: The mission of the XX Elementary Library is to provide current resources to empower the community to become self-reliant, responsible, and life-long users of information.Our Values:1. The Library is the Place to Be2. Patrons Come First3. Library Resources that Inspire Curiosity and Ignite Learning Competencies:Relationships with students that foster reading enthusiasm through discussions, recommendations, and connecting readers with similar interestsCollaboration with teachers that supports classroom instruction and encourages the use of the latest award-winning literatureA welcoming environment A print collection that motivates students to keep readingGoals, Objectives, & ActivitiesHigh quality, high interest, awarding winning book collection by June 2019Secure budget (Ongoing annually) 1.2. Develop book budget of high quality, high interest, awarding winning books (Ongoing annually)1.3. Cameron Elementary will increase the quality and vibrancy of the book collection using the weeding process.Inspirational literary experiences throughout the year to foster the on-going development of a reading culture at Cameron Elementary by June 2019Cameron Elementary Library will continue to secure funding for One Book One School by October 2016.Author visits for all studentsElementary Battle of the BooksGive 5 Read 5.Effective, award-winning digital resources and current, relevant technology for advancing the learning goals of 21st century learnersCameron Elementary Library will increase and advertise digital resources. 3.2. Cameron Elementary Library will update technology equipment in order to increase accessibility to resources and information. Modern, comfortable, kid-friendly library space by June 2019Cameron Elementary Library will gradually update the space and furniture to reflect the needs of K-2 students, 3-5 students, and staff.Timely connection with Cameron Library community using a variety of communication tools by December 2016Cameron Elementary Library will update the library website to facilitate on-going communication with the community about resources and events. Online & paper resources will be utilized to increase communication between the library and the community.Appendix N – School 2 Strategic Plan Vision:Serving. Supporting. Empowering. Mission:Empowering students to be vital citizens today and tomorrow. Core ValuesReading is an adventure not an assignment. Books based on excitement/interest. Not on reading level. Welcoming and comfortable place.Student driven choice in reading materials.High quality, patron driven collection.Technology. 21st century skills. Digital literacy.Core CompetenciesWe provide a variety of high quality books for patrons.Library as place: Meet and collaborate.Read comfortably.Socializing. games, movies, puzzlesSTEAM activities.Go to place for teachers.resources. both digital and tangible collaborationprofessional development digital accessinstructional technologysafe havenPlace of learning.Different spaces for different types of learning.Processes and policies for library use.Flexible scheduling would make library available for different groups.Prioritizing librarian time.GoalsHigh quality collection that empowers students and teachers. spring 2020Current age of collection within 10 years. Collection analysisWeedingPurchasing new materialsTechnology resources analysis for check outuse in libraryTeacher and student driven collectionSurveysSuggestion BoxSpanish-language materials analysisSIT teamEstablish and maintain material develop planPleasure reading in different mediumsBookseBooksOther - online book services, online reading, periodicalsAverage collection age is 10 yearsPurchase award winning books from Pura Belpré, Coretta Scott King, Newbery, Caldecott, etc. State-of-the-art and relevant technology resources. spring 2018technology available in house.Mobile devices - iPads, iPods, chromebooks, cd players macsLibrary as Place. Fall 2017Mixed use space that is welcoming, innovative, and interactive.STEAMPlace for students to go for a variety of activities.Get away.Work on group projects.Read for pleasure.Gather information from a wide array of sources. Creation and innovation Socializing - games, movies, puzzlesGo to place for teachers.Meet and collaborate.Find resources.Support. Read comfortably.Library as a place of learning. Fall 2017Appendix O – School Librarian 1 Reflections1) What are the benefits of strategic planning for a school library?The strategic plan gave our community a renewed focus.? Over the course of the last few years, the library has been a driving force for school wide programs and slowly, the culture of the school is changing to a more literary focus (ie students are reading more, author visits, etc.).? The school’s community (students, staff, parents, administrators) is making the shift and the strategic plan has been the fuel to keep the change moving forward. Although we did not do the best job with planning our specific objectives year by year in the plan, I still use it to gauge our progress; I report our progress with periodic meetings with the original team; and it has helped me procure a yearly budget since it is an expectation of the community that our school budgets for library resources.It is helping us with fundraising for our 5th goal: to update the physical space of the library.? I agree with your line in the paper, “a story to market”. A local library furniture company designed an update space for us during the course of the strategic planning process.? Now that we have a design & a “story to market” with the plan, we are using it in diverse ways to raise help us raise the large sum we need for the transformation. At the moment, we are actively planning a Library Fun Run for this purpose.Sometimes, being the only person who does a job in a school can feel isolating.? The strategic planning process was a community event. It helped to find out what was going well and what still needed addressed in the eyes of most of the people in the school.? The plan took the guesswork out of how to meet the needs of stakeholders. The objective process was really helpful and remains the driving force of the work done in the library.To steal the idea we presented at the session at the 2016 NCSLMA conference, the plan has moved the library from me to we. I have multiple people from students to parents to staff to local members of the community who now consider themselves advocates for the Cameron Library. They talk to people in the community about the library in their families, churches, and businesses. They "have a story to market". This past week the planning committee asked local businesses to sponsor our fun run t-shirt. We all used the story of the plan & the library design as part of our request. We needed $2750 to cover the t-shirts & a fee from Boosterthon, the company who is helping us with the run. We raised over $5700 just for the sponsorships! The exclamation is there because we have never requested this support before & these are surrounding towns's businesses mostly. Cameron has very few businesses.2) How can strategic planning help school libraries meet these needs?The planning process focus school stakeholders on the library, how its activities meets needs, what needs are not being met, multiple viewpoints of what the actual needs are, and where the library should head in the future.? It gets people thinking and talking about the library.3) Do you think other school librarians could do this in their own libraries?I do but, I could not have done it as effectively & objectively without your guidance.? I like your conversation about developing a toolkit for librarians through NCSLMA & ALA.? I would also add that it could be an effective week long presentation through NCCAT. I think this is the kind of program that Ernest Johnson at NCCAT would like.? I talked about this process with him when I attended his program on reaching boys who are reluctant readers in January. I also agree with Bitsy that 1st year librarians & new librarians to a school should not do it.? You need to have relationships built already to have stakeholders who are willing to devote themselves to this process.? Really, the planning process is not just the initial experience but a 5 year process. Like the SIP, it has to be a living document to revisit with stakeholders.? For example, one of the goals we had was to continue using Title 1 monies for schoolwide literacy events like author visits. I just surveyed students, staff, & parents to check on the success of the author visits since our Title 1 monies are getting cut again next year.? I shared the results with my principal so he would know how his community felt about the need to keep this program. Most surveys showed that the community still feels that it is valuable & my principal has determined to keep it going for next year.I want to keep this going too so I plan on creating another 5 year plan when this one is finished.? That might be a good thing to add to the discussion is tips for maintaining and updating your plan.4) Is it worth all of the time and effort?Yes!? However, it is very time consuming.? I would compare it to prepping on a component of National Boards.? In good news, if this idea starts spreading and librarians take on the challenge of developing 5 year plans, it will be a grass roots advocacy method to get the word out about the effectiveness of libraries and librarians in communities throughout the state. 5. Did you see movement on any of your strategic goals? Did you see tangible results because of the plan and process of putting it together? ?I attached some documents I created for the committee to give them some updates on the progress on our strategic goals.? This year’s update is in the meeting agenda attachment.Appendix P – School Librarian 2 ReflectionsStrategic Planning Insights1)?What are the benefits of strategic planning for a school library?It helped me focus what I wanted for the library. I had a general theoretical plan, but it was not specific.Answering questions helped the staff better understand what could and should happen in the library. This was a bit of a subversive training for them. I didn't have to sound preachy, but the more thoughtful participants were able to make connections. One who was particularly bad about walking through the library stopped and made several comments about not having seen the library as my classroom before the survey.2) How can strategic planning help school libraries meet these needs?Same as for item 1.I know XX, but I'm thinking the same is true in many places - we cannot afford to be silent. The strategic planning process helps the librarian know what things need to be advocated for because he/she has to organize their personal thoughts about the library. In addition, it helps the stakeholders better understand it's purpose and potential by working as a advocacy tool in addition to its other purposes.3) Do you think other school librarians could do this in their own libraries?Yes, and lets not stop at individual?libraries. I'd love to see districts?do one. Then individual libraries could take the district one and tweak it (and the surveys, questions, etc.). But there would be one for libraries whose librarians can't/won't find the time. I'd like to make this part of what XX can help librarians do for their libraries.?4) Is it worth all of the time and effort?Yes, but I do think we've got to make it clear (especially to elementary librarians) how much time this takes. (NOT for publication, but there were times I thought my head would explode.) I'm also not sure that 1) new librarians or 2) librarians in their first year at a school should take this on. Having some strong relationships with other school personnel at the beginning of the process?would have been beneficial.I'm also thinking this is of even greater value to libraries like mine where the school is failing. We are the ones that really need to show how valuable the library/librarian is to the school. More affluent/high achieving schools aren't looking to make the wholesale changes that low performing schools are.?I was really excited about the possibility of creating a strategic plan for XX. But, I was not prepared for a few things.The time it took in an already packed schedule. Carving out time for this was much more difficult that I anticipated. That the timing would coincide with An administrative changeFinding out we were a failing school again. (The again part is crucial. We have to improve scores or we are at risk of being taken over by the state. This has put an enormous amount of pressure on all personnel.)That my position would be even more diverse this year as I was asked to take on new technology responsibilities at the school level and conduct more professional development for staff and district personnel. What I learned:Working through the strategic planning worksheets with the team helped to clarify my beliefs about what a school library is and how it should work. Thinking about the purpose of my programming helped me justify what was just more intuitive before.Listening to the SP team helped me understand how things are viewed (or might be viewed) by people not intimately involved in the library. Interviewing our stakeholders gave me insight to inconsistencies in perceptions and reality. Principal wants the library to be a quiet place for students to read, but there are six classes taught in the library every day and a meeting before and/or after school most days.Teacher wants the librarian to support her specific grade level ELA curriculum, but I see 30 classes each week covering six grade levels.Interviewing our stakeholders also gave me an opportunity to hear what is appreciated about the library. The library is warm and welcoming.We have a great collection of books.They do feel supported by the program.Writing a mission statement that is short and concise helps me advocate for the program. Ability to approaching stakeholders with a clearer rationale for programming or funding is of greater benefit to the library. Displaying the mission and vision statements makes me look much more professional. Appendix Q - School Library Strategic Planning ProcessSchoolwide Needs AssessmentInputsSWOT analysis questionsInterview/Focus group questions, Survey questionsPerformance statistics (e.g. budget, circulation, collection, etc.)Steering committee of major stakeholdersOutputs: School librarian interviewInterviews with superintendent and school administratorsFocus groups with teachers and studentsSchoolwide online surveyOutcomes:Community driven school library visionIdentification of stakeholder high priority needsList of priorities to address next three to five yearsStrategic PlanningInputsSteering committee meets to draft 5-year planDraft plan createdPlan circulated for feedbackOutputsStrategic plan with five partsVision statementMission statementCore ValuesCore CompetenciesGoals, Objectives, and ActivitiesOutcomesSchool library follows a stakeholder driven, organic plan for providing school library services that are specifically aligned to meet the school’s high priority needs.Dr. Anthony Chow, 2018 ................
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