Who is the 21st-Century School Librarian?

AGENDA  

Evidence-Based Practice

• Pre-reading: Evidence-Based Practice and School Libraries: Interconnections of Evidence, Advocacy and Actions by Ross J. Todd, Knowledge Quest Jan/Feb 2015.
• 8 HS and 9 MS LMSs attended our Jan 14 EBP Workshop and are engaging in targeted EBP during 3rd quarter.
• All Secondary LMSs are encouraged to engage in Evidence-Based Practice. See EBP Workshop wiki page to learn more.

• Evidence can be used to support advocacy efforts by showcasing Library program, LMS practice, and its impact for students:

• See examples of Library eNewsletters: Holabird MS  Southwest Academy  Dumbarton MS   *Created using free tool Smore. 

• Tweet these with #BCPSLMS and post them on your VLC/Library wiki as well as sharing with staff via email.

• Evidence must FIRST be used to guide practice and program improvement. 

• The  Framework for Evidence-Based Practice in School Libraries is a useful tool to guide EBP efforts.

For example, we can use the EBP Framework to reflect on and guide practice for Collaboration and Instruction:

• Evidence FOR Practice shows that LMS collaboration with teachers and integrated LMS instruction for information literacy & 21st century skills are best practices which have a significant positive impact on student learning and achievement.
• Evidence IN Practice (district LibraryTrac data) shows various levels of engagement in collaboration & instruction across middle/high schools. Data suggests that some LMSs are teaching frequently, others occasionally, infrequently, or almost never. 
• District LibraryTrac data to date for Instruction w/LMS and Collaboration w/LMS:  High Schools  |   Middle Schools
• Evidence OF Practice and positive impacts for students will obviously be lacking if LMS is not actively collaborating/teaching.  
• BCPS LMS Evaluation includes this competency in Domain 1 - Planning & Preparation:

1. Analyze and reflect on Evidence In Practice data to develop strategies for addressing obstacles to engaging in best practices.
2. Use typical scenarios to plan for effective collaboration and meaningful, learner-centered instruction.

Activity 1: Using Evidence In Practice to Strategize for Collaboration & Instruction

Use this CHART (paper or electronic) to make your own notes. 

1. Column 1 (on your own):  Use your LibraryTrac Calendar and/or Class Log Report to gather data and reflect on Instruction w/LMS during first 6 weeks of 2nd quarter (Nov 2 - Dec 11, 2015). *You are not required to share this data with your group.

• Some tips for using LibraryTrac to examine Evidence In Practice for collaboration & instruction:

• Data is more meaningful if a Description is included for Instruction w/LMS classes. Consider including: grade level/content area; learning task/research topic; ORM/SD title; lesson objective(s), etc.

• You can also Attach Files to the event: Lesson Plan, lesson docs 

• Known issue with Class Log Reporting by Reason:  When a single class is scheduled for multiple Category/Locations during same date/period (e.g. Library AND Library Lab), number of classes/students is inflated in Reports. Kelly will consult with Scott Allen to find a solution to rectify this.

2. Column 2 (as a group):  Identify challenges/obstacles which are impacting your engagement in collaboration & instruction.
3. Column 3 (as a group):  Develop strategies to address challenges/obstacles and promote collaboration & instruction. 
• Resources: AASL's Toolkit for Promoting School Library Programs; Collaboration & Reflection (Doug Johnson blog post);  Gaining Access to Course Maps in BCPSOne ; Leading In and Beyond the Library
4. Share one challenge/obstacle and one or two strategies for addressing it with the rest of your learning community. 

Activity 2: Planning for Effective Collaboration & Meaningful Learner-Centered Instruction

1. Group Scenarios: Each group will consider a "generic" scenario as an opportunity to engage in collaboration and instruction.
   Think creatively to generate ideas for how you might proceed. Record ideas on 2 sheets of chart paper labeled Collaboration and Instructional Plan:
• What might Collaboration look like?  What are potential opportunities for collaboration given this scenario? How would you prepare? What information might you need? About curriculum? About students?  Who might you approach? What questions could you ask? What could you offer?  How might you engage instructional partner(s)?
• Resources:  AASL's Toolkit for Promoting School Library Programs; Leading In and Beyond the Library; Gaining Access to Course Maps in BCPSOne
• What might the Instructional Plan look like?  What are potential opportunities for instruction given this scenario? How could you support student learning?  What AASL/CCSS-aligned skills might contribute to student success?  Write some potential Learning Targets or "I Can" statements. What resources or tools might you/teachers/students use?  How will this instruction be learner-centered?
• Resources:   Learner-Centered Environments Professional Learning Tool  |  Lesson Planning Resources wiki page |
  Joyce Valenza's Manifesto for 21st Century Teacher Librarians; Leading In and Beyond the Library
2. Gallery Walk:  Peruse other groups' scenarios and ideas for engaging in collaboration and instruction.
• Contributions:  Use a marker to add any new ideas you have for the scenario. 
• Take-Aways: On blank paper (or the back of your Learner-Centered Environments: Professional Learning Tool handout), make a T-chart labeled Collaboration | Instruction; make a note of any ideas you hadn't considered and would like to try.
• Leave on the Parking Lot: Any lingering questions about engaging in collaboration & instruction, on a Sticky Note.

BCPL/SAIL Updates

1. ConnectEd Challenge: Fran and BCPL Director Paula Miller shared our SAIL partnership at the White House on Jan 19.
2. Reflections and take-aways from Jan 19th SAIL Collaborative PD sessions. 
3. BC Reads! County-wide Read: See announcement and books in Jan 2016 BCPL Highlights newsletter.
• We have been asked to promote. this. Branch and school author visits are planned. More details to come, stay tuned!

Announcements

1. New access point for Digital Content (via BCPS One) 

• New location for other Library Media resources:  http://www.bcps.org/digitallearning/librarymedia 

• Including Database Remote Logins, ORMs/Slam Dunks, Research Guides, Gr 6 Reading Research portal, Independent Research Course website, etc.

2. High School Independent Research Course: 

• HS LMS please continue efforts to offer this course to potential student candidates.

• Share Course Implementation information (folder, PPT). HS Counseling Chairs saw the PPT and received folders last year. All HS Counselors received this IRC one-pager at Jan 19, 2016 Counselor's PD.   

3. CD2016 Reminders

• The deadline for notifying the office that your order is ready for audit is Friday, February 5, 2015. 
• The deadline for orders to be submitted for purchase is Friday, February 12, 2016.

       4.  Gaining Access to Course Maps in BCPSOne