This sixth edition of Library Unlimited's classic school library management text describes new approaches to management and addresses the realities that school librarians face in today's quickly evolving information-based world. In recent years, nearly all school libraries and school librarians have been targeted for having their funding or staffing cut as a result of reductions in school budgets. How does a newly graduated LIS professional prepare for a career in this volatile environment? How do established librarians and administrators prove their value and necessity to decision makers? This freshly updated edition of The School Library Manager is an invaluable textbook that leads readers through the many essential management tasks and skills required to administer the successful school library program and beyond. It promotes the leadership role of the school librarian in the school and addresses the need for school librarians to provide students with equal access to information. The information presented will not only enable librarians to keep their jobs but also supply specific guidance and inspiration that gives readers the ability to make their positions and libraries undeniably relevant and valuable—and to ensure a path of upward mobility in their LIS careers.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments PART I IN THE BEGINNING 1—BECOMING A SCHOOL LIBRARIAN A Day in the Life of an Elementary School Librarian A Day in the Life of a Middle School Librarian A Day in the Life of a High School Librarian School Librarian Competencies Choosing a School Library Education Program 2—FROM THEN TO NOW History of Education in the United States The Education Environment Today Challenges to Traditional Education Distance Education History of School Libraries in the United States The School Library Environment Today Exercises Notes 3—GOING TO WORK License/Credential to Practice How to Find a Job Interviewing for the Position Coping with Reality Managing a District with Only Aides or Volunteers Exercises PART II GOING TO WORK 4—BEGINNING THE JOB Determining District Administrative Practice The School Librarian in the School Facility Factors Digital Resources The Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) Human Factors Finding Out about Library Staff Finding Out about Building Administrators Finding Out about Teachers Finding Out about Students Finding Out about Parents and Caregivers Collection Factors Locating Curricular Resources Circulation of Materials and Equipment When Students Arrive Exercises Note 5—THE EDUCATION PROGRAM Reading Ready Access to a Good Book Helps Improve Reading Skills Commercial Reading Incentive and Software Programs Sharing Reading and Curriculum Research The Education Program and the Curriculum Analyzing Teaching Methods Helping Improve Teacher Assignments Understanding the Learner Understanding Curriculum The School Librarian as Teacher Teaching All Kinds of Literacy Inquiry Learning The School Librarian in the Classroom The School Library as Classroom Makerspaces Awareness for Teachers and Administrators Improving the Curriculum Exercises Notes 6—ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION Quantitative and Qualitative Measures Deciding What to Measure Assessment and Evaluation beyond Standards Finding Out What Is Right or Wrong Evaluation as an Awareness Device Evaluation as a Management Device Appraising the Facility Appraising Staff Performance Appraising Resources Services and Program Appraisal Administrator's Program Appraisal Evaluation to Assess Value Assessing Student Learning After the First Year The Continuing Need for More Research Exercises Notes 7—THE BUSINESS SIDE OF MANAGEMENT Policy Statement and Needs Assessment Objectives Organizing Systematic Feedback and Adjustments Planning for Extended Projects Scheduling the School Library Electronic Calendars and Daily Plan Books Budget The Fiscal Year Acquiring Resources: The Purchasing Process Purchasing Materials Selecting Equipment Writing Specifications Cost Accountability and the School Librarian Writing Proposals to Expand Programs Developing the Statement of Needs Preparing Goals and Objectives Establishing the Plan of Action Planning for Evaluation Deciding the Dissemination Describing Local Resources Building the Budget Additional Considerations Exercises Notes 8—LIBRARY SPACES AND CONTENTS The Library Space Rearranging Facilities Remodeling the Facility Planning New Facilities Moving a School Library Housing the Collection Exercises Notes 9—INFORMATION RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Creating a Collection Development Policy Goals and Objectives Materials to Be Included or Excluded Selection Guidelines Acquisitions Processes Policies on Donations Circulation of Resources Weeding Collections What to Do in Case of a Challenge Protections for Privacy/Intellectual Freedom Defending the Right to Access Information What CIPA Requires Policies Regarding the Ethical Use of Information Copyright Preservation and Archival Functions Building and Maintaining the Resource Collection Organizing Information Selecting Materials Relevance of Materials Selecting Information from the Internet De-selection of Materials (Weeding) Exercises Note 10—MANAGING PERSONNEL The Library Advisory Committee Analyzing Your Leadership Style Library Staff Standards of Performance Hiring Staff Practicum Students Support Staff in the Library Students and the Library Teachers and the Library Administrators and the Library Parents and the Library Friends of the Library The Community and the Library Relationships with Other Types of Libraries Exercises Notes PART III KEEPING UP 11—LEADING THROUGH TECHNOLOGY Infrastructure and Access The School Librarian and Technology Willingness to Change The Tech Squad Building the Technology Plan Thinking about Software The Challenges of Social Networking Keeping Up with Technology Level of Impact Micro Documentation of Impact It's Not Going Away Exercises Notes 12—PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) Planning Professional Development Professional Development for the School Librarian MOOCs Webinars Workshops and Institutes Professional Associations Education Associations Library and Media Associations International Associations Exercises Notes 13—ADVOCACY Changing Perceptions Marketing What to Market How to Market Promotion Preparing Presentations Advocacy to Activism School Librarians and the Political Process Lobbying at Home State and National Legislative Lobbying School Librarians as Politicians School Librarians: Advocating in the Global Community Exercises Notes 14—THE FUTURE How Fast Everything Changes Maintaining a School Library Program That Is Appropriate The School Librarian as Leader Gathering Support Student Support Teacher Support Administrator Support Parent Support Community Support Not Jumping onto Every Bandwagon The Future Place Content Lifelong Learning Survival Exercises Note Appendix A Sample Letter of Application Appendix B Questionnaire Appendix C List of Research Resources Appendix D Presentation of a Five-Year Long-Range Plan Appendix E Publications List Appendix F Sample Budget Appendix G Volunteers Appendix H Writing a Technology Plan Appendix I Article for the Los Angeles Times Appendix J Sample Letter to Legislator Appendix K 50 Ways Index