Parts to a Successful School Library
Dominique Burns: Professional Synthesis/ LIBR 204/ Summer 2015
Planning
Mary Frances Zilonis, Carolyn Markuson, Carolyn Bussian Markuson and Mary Beth Fincke (2002) write, “Planning is a process having to do with determining where you want to go, where you are now, and ways to get from here to there” (p. XIII).
Short-term Goals & Long-term Goals
This semester we had the opportunity to create a strategic plan for an organization. I realize now that a strategic plan is the foundation to a successful library. School librarians cannot lead if they don’t have goals or a vision for the school library. Zilonis, Markuson, Markuson, and Fincke (2002) believe that a strategic plan for a school library is important because it offers a “Fundamental organizational tone, defines the program’s business and informs staff members why they are doing what they do” (p. XIII).
Daniel Adams (2011) tells readers that short-term goals can be the stepping-stones to long-term goals. Adam (2011) writes “Short-term goals put you on the right track” (InstantShift). Arina Nikitina (n.d.) defines short-term goals as being “Simple tasks you can accomplish in just a few minutes to more serious objectives that last up to one year” (Goal Setting Guide). School librarians should be able to make a list of short-term goals that keep the school library functioning with the day to day. These short-term goals will keep the school librarian on track and help them work towards long-term goals from their strategic plan. Long-term goals are important for a school library because it focuses on potential needs and the future. Budgeting, curriculum, resources, staffing, and so on are important in deciding what the long-term goals are for one’s school library.
Budgeting
Evans and Alire (2013) write, “Money is the underlying resource upon which everything else in the library depends” (p. 425). School librarians need to be able to understand how to create a budget and how to carry it out. Authors Rudy Leverett, Jerry L. Evans, Darrell Loosle, and Jerry Pelton (1992) write, “Managing a school library media center inevitably involves managing substantial amounts of money” (p. 20). Leverett, Evans, Loosle, Pelton (1992) provide information about federal allowances for school libraries and the types of budgets school libraries can implement. The authors believe that every school library should create a budget that aligns with their strategic plan and organizational goals. Budgeting creates a cohesive work environment that is more effective and efficient towards the library's goals.
Physical Space
Margaret Sullivan (2011) writes that before you begin designing the physical space of your school library, you need to assess “Your curriculum and your district resources to discover what will work best for your students” (School Library Journal Online). Sullivan (2011) recognizes that most school libraries will not have the same spatial dimensions. However, she writes that they can be designed to be a flexible learning space. School libraries according to Sullivan (2011) need a “Flexible learning space that supports multiple learning and teaching styles—not one that only accommodates lectures” (School Library Journal Online). Sullivan (2011) writes about the 21st student needing information spaces that aren’t anchored down by heavy tables or bulky furniture. Sullivan (2011) also makes the argument that school libraries should not act as a “Book warehouse”, but should focus on strengthening a schools digital collection (School Library Journal Online). School libraries can still keep traditional ways of organizing, but school librarians need to update these methods. The physical space can also be decorated to match the age of the students who are using the school library. One example would be to decorate an elementary school library with pictures or quotes from popular children books. The use of displays and artwork in a library can make it warm and welcoming.