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School Library

The Iowa Department of Education and the State Library of Iowa Task Force that included teacher librarians, AEA media professionals and others developed these supporting materials to help school librarians and school districts implement the Teacher Librarian Guidelines.

  • In 2006 a requirement that each school district employ a qualified teacher librarian and have in place an articulated, sequential K -12 library program, became a part of the Code of Iowa.
  • Following the adoption of the new requirement, the Iowa Department of Education and the State Library of Iowa convened a task force of teacher librarians, AEA media professionals and others to recommend language for the DE rule that explains the intent of the new law and further outlines the requirements for school library programs and teacher librarians.

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2008-09 School Library Survey

The 2008-2009 School Library Survey is now closed. Results will be posted soon.

 

Program Guidelines

The Library Program Guidelines have been designed to assist districts in planning for library programs to meet the new state requirements, and to go beyond the basic requirement to create programs that positively impact student learning and achievement. They should be used as a checklist to audit the status of a district's program.

07-08 School Library Program Guidelines 07-08 School Library Program Guidelines - Booklet Format - Formatted as a booklet on 11 x 17 inch paper.

07-08 School Library Program Guidelines - Handout Format 07-08 School Library Program Guidelines - Handout Format - Formatted as a handout on 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper.

 

Documents

Preparing a School Library Program Development Plan Preparing a School Library Program Development Plan - A key requirement in the Department of Education standards for school libraries programs is that every school has a Library Program in place. While not specifically required, the development of a Library Program Plan will assure that the standards adopted by the State Board of Education (281--Iowa Administrative Code 12.3(12)) are being addressed.

Sample Information Literacy Curriculum Framework Sample Information Literacy Curriculum Framework - The sample curriculum is intended as a starting point for districts that do not currently have an information literacy curriculum in place. Teacher librarians and teachers will want to examine this model, adapt it to local standards and initiatives and find areas where it can be integrated into various subject areas to achieve the goal of helping students become independent learners. This is in no way intended as a stand-alone curriculum. Rather, it spells out specific skills and content that should be a part of the local curriculum and integrated appropriately into classroom instruction, with the teacher librarian and classroom teacher sharing responsibility for designing, teaching and evaluating lessons.

Annual Report Template Annual Report Template - This template is intended to suggest areas that you might include in your annual report. Use it creatively to reflect your own program style, needs and goals. Include photos that show activities you are highlighting and web links that may help illustrate your progress. You may want to add attachments: the State Survey, samples of student work, professional development documentation. Share the report first with your principal, preferably in a one-on-one meeting with him/her, but also share it with parents, colleagues and the community. Post it on your website.

Preparing a Budget Request Preparing a Budget Request - Budget planning is a thoughtful process in which you must advocate for your program needs to your administrator and others who are involved in budgeting decisions. You must build a case based upon how your program will use budget funds to contribute to the achievement of school and district goals for student learning. We must also be prepared to demonstrate how better computers, more functional facilities and added staff contribute to student achievement.

Budget Request Template Budget Request Template - This template is intended to suggest a format for creating your budget request. Use it to reflect the line items appropriate for your particular situation. You may create new categories as needed for your library.

School Library Program Audit Form Iowa School Library Program Guidelines - Audit Form - This is a detailed audit form intended to be used to examine your school library program. The document can be used to list evidence that supports each program requirement and to help set goals for attaining the requirement or working towards a higher level of attainment.

Iowa School Library Program Guidelines - Audit Form with Evidence Iowa School Library Program Guidelines - Audit Form with Evidence - This completed audit form includes possible evidence that is intended to serve as examples of the types of things that teacher librarians might present to show attainment of the various requirements in the Guidelines. No one is likely to, or expected to, have all of the sample evidence available.

Program Guidelines Audit Forms Program Guidelines Audit Forms - This form is used to evaluate the current status of your library program and begin to identify areas for program improvement.

Instructional Support Assessment Form Instructional Support Assessment Form - This form can be used to assess the level of collaboration and instructional support that the teacher librarian provides the classroom teacher. It can also be used to monitor the levels of information literacy used in collaborative units.

 

Iowa School Library Program Data

Quantitative or numerical standards are one measure of success in achieving program goals. Such standards can be compared to local data and used to set measurable improvement goals. While no definitive national quantitative standards currently exist for school libraries, we are fortunate in Iowa to have data from the annual Survey of School Libraries conducted by the Iowa Department of Education. The data provides the opportunity to compare one’s own library program to other libraries of similar size and description in our state.

2007-08
icon 2007-08 Summary of State Library Data - Iowa School Library Programs (2009-06-12)

icon 2007-08 Raw Data of State Library Data - Iowa School Library Programs (2009-06-12)

 

2006-07
icon 2006-07 Summary of State Library Data - Iowa School Library Programs

icon 2006-07 Raw Data of State Library Data - Iowa School Library Programs

 

2005-06
2005-06 Summary of State Library Data - Iowa School Library Programs

icon 2005-06 Raw Data of State Library Data - Iowa School Library Programs

 

2004-05
icon 2004-05 Summary of State Library Data - Iowa School Library Programs

icon 2004-05 Raw Data of State Library Data - Iowa School Library Programs

 

2003-04
icon 2003-04 Summary of State Library Data - Iowa School Library Programs

icon 2003-04 Raw Data of State Library Data - Iowa School Library Programs

 

2002-03
icon 2002-03 Summary of State Library Data - Iowa School Library Programs

icon 2002-03 Raw Data of State Library Data - Iowa School Library Programs

 

2001-02
icon 2001-02 Summary of State Library Data - Iowa School Library Programs

icon 2001-02 Raw Data of State Library Data - Iowa School Library Programs