School Libraries 101

After you attend this course, you’ll be able to:

• Describe the roles and responsibilities of different school library personnel, and how each role contributes to the library's overall mission
  


• Identify relevant professional standards and explain how these relate to the functions of the school library
  


• Discuss key values of librarianship in the context of your library and school
  


• Understand how library materials are commonly selected, organized, and maintained in a school library
  


• Explain and identify reader’s advisory strategies appropriate to your school community
  


• Identify program ideas that may meet the needs of your school community
  


• Describe how library resources support instruction in the school library and classroom
  

This course consists of 6 on-demand modules:

Module 1: School Library Mission and Roles

School libraries are an integral part of the educational ecosystem. This module covers the core purpose of school libraries and how they support both students and teachers. You will explore the diverse roles and responsibilities of library employees and supervisors, gaining insight into the many hats worn by library personnel every day. By the end of the module, you’ll understand how your role contributes to the library's overall mission.

Module 2: Values of School Librarianship

Let’s dive into the foundational values and ethics that guide the work of school library professionals! This module will help you understand key principles, like intellectual freedom, access to information, and user privacy, which are essential to effective and equitable library services. Once the module is completed, you’ll have a solid understanding of the professional standards that underpin your daily tasks.

Module 3: School Library Collections

Explore the basics of managing library collections to ensure they meet the needs of your school. This module covers the basics of selecting, organizing, and maintaining a diverse and engaging collection of resources, including print books, digital materials, and other media. You'll understand how a well-curated collection supports learning and literacy development.

Module 4: Reader’s Advisory

Discover how to match a reader to a text and how to recommend resources to teachers through the practice of “reader's advisory.” This module will introduce practical strategies to understand a reader’s interests or needs, and to recommend appropriate materials. By the time you're done with this module, you’ll be more confident in guiding library users towards books they will enjoy reading and relevant materials for course work.

Module 5: Programs and Events

Explore the purpose and benefits of programs and events organized by the school library. In this module, you will learn how to identify program ideas based on school initiatives, student interests, and more. Learn a few key strategies for planning, executing, and evaluating programs to ensure they are a success within your school community.

Module 6: Instructional Support

Understand how the school library directly supports classroom instruction and academic standards. This module will explore ways library staff adapt this support based on the needs of their school community, including schedule type and student grade level. You’ll learn how library personnel collaborate with teachers, provide direct instruction during library special classes, curate resources to support research and projects, and offer guidance that enhances student learning across the curriculum. You'll gain insights into how your role, regardless of your position, directly contributes to student success.

Who should take this course

This course is designed for K-12 non-certified school library personnel, including paraprofessionals, staff, and teachers.

This will be a self-paced, asynchronous online course.

Expected time commitment

This course includes 6 modules, each designed to take approximately 4 hours to complete. You can move through the content at your own pace and on your own schedule. You'll earn 24 hours of PD credit and a School Library Journal certificate of completion.

On-demand access

You will have access to the full course 6 months from course start date or enrollment date, if enrolling after course starts.

Certificate of completion

Complete the course and earn 24 professional development credit hours. We provide a certificate that is emailed to you.

Support

For support with online courses, please contact course-support@libraryjournal.com .

Course Advisor

Maura Madigan, School Librarian

Maura Madigan, NBCT is the author of Learning-Centers for School Libraries, Project-Based Learning for Elementary Grades, and The School Librarian’s Guide to (Almost) Everything (ALA Store). She’s been a school librarian for ten years but has worked in Education–as a teacher, college instructor, and educational advisor–for twenty-eight in the US, South Korea, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates. Maura lives and works in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Course Instructors

Carolyn Vibbert, School Librarian Division Specialist

Carolyn Vibbert is a K-12 Librarian Specialist with previous experience leading a library program for elementary students. She is a National Board Certified Teacher in Library Media and holds an M.L.S. in Library Science. Carolyn is a past president of the Virginia Association of School Librarians, an AASL National Conference Co-Chair for St. Louis, Senior Lecturer for Antioch University's School Library Endorsement Program, and has presented professional learning sessions about a variety of topics for audiences both local and international.

Dr. Karina Quilantán-Garza, Library Media Specialist

Dr. Karina Quilantán-Garza, or Dr. Q. as her students like to call her, is a state and nationally recognized school librarian from the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. A passionate advocate for library media and instructional technology, she is dedicated to expanding the impact of library programs beyond the classroom and finding innovative ways to engage students and staff in the learning process. Her work has earned her numerous honors, including Texas Library Association Librarian of the Year, School Library Journal Librarian of the Year Finalist, and Library Journal Mover and Shaker. In addition to her campus leadership, Dr. Q. is an active member of her state’s library association, contributes to academic journals, conducts research on school librarians’ professional development, and is a university instructor for school librarianship and instructional technology programs. When she isn’t teaching, she can be found spending time with her family, tackling her reading pile, and empowering librarians on social media @cuethelibrarian.

Kaycie Hoffman Blaylock, Library and Resource Coordinator

Kaycie Hoffman Blaylock is a seasoned education professional with over 20 years of experience, specializing in school librarianship and educational leadership across diverse age groups. Currently serving as the Library and Resource Coordinator for Alexandria City Public Schools in Virginia, she oversees the strategic adoption of high-quality instructional materials across all content areas. A licensed school administrator and former principal, Kaycie is an expert in educational best practices, having delivered advanced training sessions at national forums like AASL and ALA on topics ranging from integrating science standards in library instruction to human-centered design and project management for school libraries. Kaycie holds dual master’s degrees in Educational Media & Librarianship and Curriculum & Instruction from Portland State University, alongside an administrator's license from the University of Portland.

Cicely Lewis, School Librarian and Author

Cicely Lewis—2020 School Librarian of the Year, named by SLJ and founder of the award-winning Read Woke® movement—is redefining what it means to engage students through literacy in the digital age. A school librarian, author of 13 books, and tech-savvy educator, she empowers students to read critically, think deeply, and use their voices for change. Her Read Woke Challenge leverages digital platforms to promote equity and social justice through diverse literature, inspiring classrooms and libraries worldwide. In 2023, she was honored with the Shirlyn Johnson-Granville’s Children & Youth Community Service Award by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Through her School Library Journal column and starred-reviewed books- Imani Picks Up the Pieces, and We Shall Not Be Denied- Cicely is helping educators blend tech with purpose. Follow her @cicelythegreat and join the movement at www.readwoke.com. #ReadWoke

Tom Bober, School Librarian

Tom Bober is a school librarian, Library Journal Mover and Shaker, former Teacher in Residence at the Library of Congress, and author of three books: Elementary Educator's Guide to Primary Sources, Building News Literacy, and his most recent book co-written book, Literature and Primary Sources. He has written the Picture Book and Primary Sources blog posts for AASL’s KQ blog and hosts The Primary Source Podcast. Tom works with students and educators to promote the love of nonfiction, information literacy, and historical literacy.

Ashley J. Cooksey, Assistant Professor and the Program Director for the Instructional Technology - Library Media Specialist Master’s program at Arkansas Tech University

Ashley J. Cooksey (she | her) is an Assistant Professor and a passionate advocate for school library media services, student agency, technology-enhanced learning, and Universal Design for Learning. As a Change Leadership for Equity and Inclusion Ph.D. candidate, her dissertation research focuses on school librarians as leaders in their learning communities. Ms. Cooksey is also a 200-hour registered yoga teacher.

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Group Rates

We offer discounts for groups of 3 or more.

For larger groups of 15 or more, we offer the option to apply group rates across multiple courses to receive significant discounts. For more information, select “Bulk Course Credits Packages” in the form below.

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