Lessons from Library Power: Enriching Teaching and Learning - Softcover

Hopkins, Dianne M.; Webb, Norman L.; Wehlage, Gary; Zweizig, Douglas L.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1563088339 ISBN 13: 9781563088339

Publisher: Libraries Unlimited, 1999

Synopsis

Share the power of our important national initiative! The profound changes instituted by the Library Power Project can also serve as a catalyst for the revitalization of your school library media center. This book offers an abundance of practical and insightful ideas for collaborative planning, flexible scheduling, collection development, professional development, and facility renovation. Compiling research findings of the project as documented in surveys of key players (library media specialists, principals, and teachers) and through direct observation in case studies across the United States, this book provides a valuable instructional model for today's schools. Essential reading for media specialists, teachers, district administrators and principals, it will also benefit students of library science and academics interested in school reform.

About this title

About the Author

DOUGLAS L. ZWEIZIG is Professor Emeritus, School of Library and Information Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

DIANNE MCAFEE HOPKINS is Professor, School of Library and Information Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison and co-principal investigator in the evaluation of the National Library Power Program, an initative funded by the DeWitt Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. She received AASL's Distinguished Service Award and has served on ALA's Intellectual Freedom Committee. She is a member of the Board of the Library Research Roundtable of ALA.

Zweizig and Hopkins are co-principal investigators in the evaluation of the National Library Power Program, an initiative funded by the DeWitt Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund.

Reviews

Library Power was an initiative funded by the DeWitt Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund from 1988 to 1998 to provide money to improve public school libraries in 19 communities in various parts of the country. Although the authors focus on the results of this revitalization effort, the lessons learned in the process are applicable to all school libraries. According to surveys of teachers, principals, and media specialists, plus case studies conducted by the School of Library and Information Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison and its School of Education, library improvements resulted primarily from expanded, updated collections, collaborative planning, and flexible scheduling. Statistics showed that these libraries were increasingly used and appreciated by the school community. Other areas addressed include curriculum and professional development, instruction, and institutionalizing reform. Questionnaires from the study are appended. This readable description and analysis will be useful for anyone interested in improving school libraries.
Jessica Foster, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Zseizig and Hopkins examine the specific goals and accomplishments of Library Power, the school library funding project initiated in 1988 by the DeWitt Wallace^-Reader's Digest Fund. Having analyzed surveys collected from teachers, librarians, and principals, and case studies of media center practices, they conclude that collaborative planning, flexible scheduling, collection development, and professional growth can make a positive difference in libraries and the students that they support. On one level the book serves as a record of this monumental project; more important is its value as a planning tool for media centers not involved in the original project but wanting to improve their programs. Appended copies of the original surveys, numerous clearly designed tables and charts, and many practical ideas make this essential reading for anyone involved with school and library reform. Kay Weisman

Edition details

• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1563088339
• ISBN 13: 9781563088339
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 281