Why a qualified librarian is indispensable for student achievement.
If there’s one word to describe the current state of public education in the United States, it is: pressure.
Pressure to perform well on standardized tests, academic rankings, athletics and much more.
This pressure comes from state legislatures, elected school boards, universities, education advocacy groups, parent organizations and more.
Many public and independent schools have reacted to pressure by eliminating the role of school librarian. While there are at least 5500 more public schools in the U.S. since 2000, estimates are that there are 9,200 fewer school librarians nationwide than in 2000. *1, 4
Most of the drop-off came during the Great Recession in 2008-2009. During this time, other roles in education also suffered; counselors, administrators and even maintenance staff. However, while other staff positions have recovered, the number of librarians has not.
Why are librarians so important in schools?
Stronger Test Performance
Students who attend schools with certified teacher-librarians perform better on standardized tests and are more likely to graduate. This general rule applies for schools regardless of location and demographics. Why is this the case?
Teacher-librarians are far more likely to be directly involved in teaching curriculum-designed Common Core standards. Bringing a building full of students to Common Core standards requires a high level of cooperation among staff. When a librarian is engaged, efforts in the classroom are amplified and students benefit.*2
Integrating Technology
Information technology can make an important difference in student achievement. However, tech is only as useful as its application. The modern role of librarian is synonymous with technology. Librarians are key in making technology come to life in a building. Classroom teachers are busy and may not have time to explore and roll out new technology that can benefit students.
Cutting-edge education technology needs expert training and deployment–in the building. As tech is integrated, students are exposed to a resource that adds a new and adaptive aspect to learning.
Teacher-librarians are the best resource a school community has for leading students and families in new teaching technologies. They raise the level of sophistication in the building and can bring even reluctant educators to comfortably use tech to enhance their efforts.*3
Cultures of Reading and Achievement
The most telling metric for student achievement is reading proficiency. The most important catalyst for building reading skills within a student body is a librarian. Librarians are key in developing and deploying quality reading programs, helping families build a culture of reading at home.
When a librarian is empowered to partner with teachers to help build reading habits, work with families and manage reading programs, the result can change the entire achievement culture of a school. Active librarians can practically eliminate the notorious summer slide, build cultures of reading within families and build confidence in learning.
While there may not be a hard metric for affecting a school culture, the overall effect of developing a culture of achievement and reading creates positive impacts in every other area of the school.
The Right Librarian
Having a librarian is good. However, having the right librarian is vital. Administrators need to work diligently to hire and train librarians who understand their expanded role in learning. Today’s librarians do their best work outside of the circulation desk.
It’s important to find and hire librarians who have a certification in Library Science or similar degree. These certifications indicate specialized knowledge and skills in technology and teaching.
Library science and learning technology is moving fast and is very exciting. A librarian who is tasked with leading the charge in identifying and deploying technology and techniques that will help schools reach lofty goals and deal with the pressure.
References
- School Library Journal, School Librarian, Where Art Thou by Keith Curry https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=school-librarian-art-thou
- Johnston, M.P. (2015). Blurred lines: The school librarian and the instructional technology specialist. TechTrends, 59 (3), 17–26.
- Lance, K.C. & Kachel, D.E. (2018). Why school librarians matter: What years of research tell usPhi Delta Kappan 99 (7), 15-20.
- National Center for Education Statistics