The mission of the modern school library

What is the mission of the modern school library and how do the mission's relate to the common beliefs? After class discussion, and your thoughts last week how have your reactions to the common beliefs changed (maybe they haven't). If you had to write a mission statement what do you think would be important to include?

After reading numerous mission statements for various school libraries, I began to consider why it was that none of the school libraries I have worked in had a mission statement. At one of the schools where I used to work, it felt like we would create a new school-wide mission statement almost every year. Nothing was ever done with the mission statement, and so the creation of it didn't feel relevant to me. Consequently, I had never thought to write a mission statement for the libraries where I work now.

Reading the mission statements for other school libraries left me wondering a little bit. In an elementary school setting, what is the purpose of creating a mission statement? Who is the intended audience? In the schools where I have worked, I have come across only a handful of parents who would search out the library's website in order to read a library mission statement...but there are a handful. There are a few students, also, who would read it, just because I put it up there. Actually, it seems like it would mostly be for myself, to guide myself, an opportunity for reflection on personal goals, to acknowledge that which I am already doing, and to discover directions to improve the quality of services students receive in the library. Ultimately, it would be for the whole community, for any students, parents, teachers, administrators, neighbors, government representatives, researchers, fellow librarians, or students in library sciences, who might benefit from having the purpose of a particular community library being public to that community.

So, the way I am choosing to describe the mission of the modern school library is to create a mission statement for the two school libraries that I run. The two schools are located near one another, have many similarities, and I feel like the mission of the two libraries would be the same--even if some of the goals I have for each site are slightly different.

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Mission Statement for _____________ Elementary School Library:

To nurture a passion for reading and learning through the introduction of quality resources and instruction.

To encourage staff and students to become effective users of technology and information.

To celebrate the rich diversity of the planet in a space that is safe for all students and staff to inquire, explore, discover, analyze, synthesize, collaborate and create.

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Okay, so now after taking a first attempt at a mission statement, let's look back at AASL's 9 Common Beliefs..

1. Reading is a window to the world.

2. Inquiry provides a framework for learning.

3. Ethical behavior in the use of information must be taught.

4. Technology skills are crucial for future employment needs.

5. Equitable access is a key component for education.

6. The definition of information literacy has become more complex as resources
and technologies have changed.

7. The continuing expansion of information demands that all individuals acquire
the thinking skills that will enable them to learn on their own.
8. Learning has a social context.

9. School libraries are essential to the development of learning skills” (ALA).

Re-reading those, I think that I tried to reflect some of the same concepts in the mission statement. I wish I could include all of them, but a mission statement that is too long doesn't work as well. I do feel as if the 9 Common Beliefs are a strong guide in the consideration of the mission of the school library itself. The modern library needs to herald to the community that there is a space where people can learn to use technology to acquire, analyze, assimilate and create knowledge.

The 9 Common Beliefs from AASL Learning Standards

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The nine common beliefs from the AASL Learning Standards brought to mind many intriguing ideas. They all tie in with student learning, which in itself demonstrates the belief held by librarians that student use of the school media center is an educational experience that transcends the traditional read-aloud. Each individual belief addresses a different way that students can improve their educational experience. I found the combination, as a whole, to reflect a number of values that I hold dear to my heart. I agree with them wholeheartedly. While initially the nine common beliefs seemed to be quite different from one another, they build upon one another to create a complete vision for the opportunities available through the school media center.

I feel a deep connection to the first belief (1. Reading is a window to the world.). I have traveled to many places where children are do not have the resources that are available to my students. In each of these places, books have been held with the highest regards. Students realize that they must read in order to truly be able to participate in the new, global society. As technology has become more pervasive, the reasons why reading is essential are beginning to change. While reading has long been considered a necessary component of a first-class education, it is also a powerful tool in communication that is not face-to-face. With the widespread dissemination of technology, more and more of our interactions take place through the computer. While there are programs that can read text out loud, the process is slow and awkward. When a user performs a Google search, the page of links appears on the screen, and users skim the page to determine where to focus their attention. This requires not only the ability to read, but also the skills discussed in the second common belief: inquiry provides a framework for learning. The users must be able to look at a page, quickly read it, and analyze instantly, making judgments and assessments as to the relevance of each link to that which they are attempting to do.

The third belief: ethical behavior must be taught, is of utmost importance in this new era. As cyber bullying has spread across the country and the need for children to learn to protect their privacy online has become an imperative, students need role models to teach them how to navigate this new educational landscape. These tie in together with the fourth belief: technology skills are crucial for future employment needs. If we fail to instruct our students not only in the use of technology, but the safe and socially responsible use of technology we are destroying their opportunity to be able to thrive in the new global economy. This makes the fifth belief all the more important; equitable access is a key component for education. As we have already determined that the abilities to read, inquire and safely and ethically use technology opens many doors that will remain closed to students who do not have the talents. Therefore, it is imperative that we provide that opportunity to all people. Knowledge does not belong to any one individual. It is a treasure that must be shared.

Schools are struggling to improve students’ scores on mandatory examinations, and teachers as struggling to meet all of the educational needs of students. Librarians sit poised to provide the training in information literacy skills. We understand, better than most, that the concept of information literacy has evolved greatly since its’ inception (Belief 6: The definition of information literacy has become more complex as resources and technologies have changed). This is because librarians have seen that transition change the ways and means through which services are provided to patrons. The new complexities in the idea of information literacy are, in fact, some of the most exciting developments in the modern library. Librarians are in the process of creating a new way to manage the availability of information. This information must be sifted through, assessed and examined by each individual to see if it is relevant to their personal schema (Belief 7: The continuing expansion of information demands that all individuals acquire the thinking skills that will enable them to learn on their own). They must be able to understand and evaluate information to determine how that information ought to be used.

The eighth belief: learning has a social context, speaks directly to the explosion in the number of social networking sites. Knowledge is no longer a static thing. Instead it is shared, examined, and re-mixed for use in a variety of ways. The world is working together to create new understandings every day. All of these reasons bring us back to the heart of our belief system: School libraries are essential to the development of learning skills. We, as librarians, are responsible to the patrons whom which we serve. We must provide each and every one with the opportunity to use skills and tools that will transform their lives.

250 reading material

250 reading material