Post on 16-Feb-2016
description
GREAT LIBRARIES IN GREAT CITIES: THE ROLE OF THE SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA PROGRAM SUPERVISOR
Sheri Anita MasseyDoctoral Candidate, University of Maryland
Overview
School Library Media Program (SLMP) in Urban Areas
Standards SLMP Supervisor Literature Research Agenda Great School Libraries
What do we know about school library media program supervisors? How do supervisors affect library services to students in large urban school districts?
Urban Schools Challenges facing urban schools:
Size Inadequate funding Lack of resources Greater cultural and ethnic diversity Higher proportion of new immigrants
than is typically found in suburban and rural schools
Weiner, 1999
SLMP
Collection-centered LMS as
“Keeper of the Books”
Focus on finding information
Exists in isolation
Learner-centered LMS as
information specialist
Focus on information literacy
Encourages collaboration
Then Now
Books…in beautiful school libraries developed with the artfulness of skilled librarians, remain the clearest window
to a world of noncommercial satisfactions and enticements that
most children in poor neighborhoods will ever know.
SLMP in Urban Areas
Kozol, 2000, p. 48
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Standards
Contributions of the Standards National Standards for SLMPs
1920, 1925, 1960, 1969, 1975, 1988, 1998 Shape the role of the SLMP District-level SLMP supervisor as leader Stimulate discussion & publication
[The supervisor] interpret[s] the role of the library to everyone...so that
people are made aware of the importance of the library in all places
in the school program.
SLMP Supervisor
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”Saunders, 1968, p. 149
SLMP supervisor… Administers the SLMP; Communicates the district’s goals,
objectives and policies to library media staff and explains the role of the SLMP and SLMS to stakeholders;
Teaches SLM staff how to develop and coordinate a SLMP
Facilitates the provision of instructional resources; and,
Leads the development and advancement of SLMPs American Library Association, 1994
What do we know about school library media program supervisors?
How do supervisors affect library services to students in large urban
school districts?
Literature
ChallengesFew publications
The SLMP Supervisor appears in the 1920, 1925, 1960, 1969, 1975, 1988 Standards
Missing from the most recent Standards – 1998Research studiesInconsistent terminology
Advisors SupervisorsConsultants
Coordinators
Specialists
Directors LibraryServices
EducationMedia
District Regional
17 Studies Author(s) Year Format Role Services 1 Newcomb 1968 Diss ■ 2 Bundy, Wasserman & O'Connell 1970 Report ■ 3 Ahlers 1974 Report ■ 4 Eberhard 1975 Diss ■ 5 Pichette 1975 Diss ■ 6 Macon 1977 Diss ■ 7 Sullivan 1977 Diss ■ 8 Coleman 1982 Diss ■ 9 Andwood 1984 Diss ■ 10 Held 1986 Diss ■ 11 Krentz 1986 Diss ■ 12 Zsiray 1986 Diss ■ 13 Dandridge 1988 Diss ■ 14 Jackson 1988 Diss ■ 15 Nelson 1988 Diss ■ 16 McCulley 1989 Diss ■ 17 Coulter 1990 Diss ■
Characteristics & Perceptionsof the SLMP Supervisor
12 studies Explored how stakeholders viewed the
SLMP supervisor Discrepancies among stakeholders
Discussion of duties Newcomb, 1968; Ahlers & Wieman, 1974; Sullivan, 1977; Macon, 1977; Krentz 1986; Held, 1986; McCulley, 1989; Coulter, 1990
Perceived power/influenceBundy et al., 1970; Andwood, 1984; Nelson, 1988
The effect of the SLMP Supervisor on library services
5 studies Explored how the presence of a SLMP
supervisor affected the provision of library services
Effect Strong positive effect
Ebherhard, 1974; Coleman, 1982
Somewhat positive effect Dandridge; 1988; Jackson, 1988
Negative effectZsiray, 1986
Studies (Summary) 2 areas
Characteristics & perceptions of the SLMP Supervisor Little/no disagreement on roles Misperceptions of power
The effect of the SLMP Supervisor on library services Suggest positive influence on services
Weak start, more research needed in both areas Diversify research methods Urban focus
Great School Libraries
Research Agenda Replicate Bundy et al., 1970 Focus on large, urban SLMPs ESEA Title II Funds
SLMP supervisors as being: absorbed in expanding collections [rather
than] expand[ing] services to clients.Bundy et al., 1970, p. 75
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Research Agenda Online questionnaire Open-ended, qualitative elements Shorter (25 pages) Additional issues
Trends over time Funding Internet/Web technology
Next steps: Discussion at ALA in Chicago
Sheri Anita Masseysmassey@umd.edu
Thank you!
Great School Libraries Steering Committee:Ann Carlson Weeks, Pam Berger, Paul Whitsitt, Barbara Stripling, Dave Schroeter, Leshell Hatley
http://greatlibs.ning.com/