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 .

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.

Carolyn Vibbert, School Librarian Division Specialist

Carolyn 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.

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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.

Request Discounted Group Pricing

For support with group purchases, please contact groupsales@libraryjournal.com.