School libraries as oases

From the e-mail inbox, reprinted here with permission:

Dear Doug,
 
My name is Christianne, and I am in my first semester of the MLIS program. I came across your web site while doing some preliminary research for a paper. I hope you don't mind me bugging you with a question.
 
I am interested in writing about the importance of school libraries in the era of NCLB. I am not interested in how school libraries can boost achievement or why school libraries should be included in NCLB legislation. There is a lot of literature out about that already. I want to write about how NCLB has changed schools in negative ways, such as loss of electives and a renewed emphasis on drill and kill to raise test scores. It seems to me that school libraries are oases for students who are stifled in the classroom. [bold is mine-Doug] School libraries seem to be the place in schools where students can have some choice about what they learn. In many elementary and middle schools in [my state], school libraries are increasingly the only place students can learn anything about history and science, as those subjects take a backseat to English and math instruction in the classroom. In some middle schools English teachers are not even teaching novels anymore, but only working out of readers. I was a teacher for seven years and I am very concerned about this topic. My question for you is, have you come across articles, research papers, etc. that address these issues? I don't want to be too duplicative of other writers' efforts.
 
Thanks for your time,
Christianne

Hi Christianne,

Good luck on your studies. I tend to agree with your observations, but haven’t seen much written on this topic, I’m afraid. I have two things marginally related, but not research-based:

http://www.doug-johnson.com/dougwri/stars-in-parents-eyes.html
http://www.doug-johnson.com/dougwri/principal-and-the-school-librarian.html (This is the text of a brochure I wrote for AASL – excerpt below)

Helping ensure schools remain committed to good educational practices that go beyond the minimal requirements of NCLB.
One controversial aspect of NCLB is its over-reliance on standardized tests as a measurement of both student and school performance. Such tests often measure only a few basic skills and penalize students who are poor test-takers. Teaching strategies and assessment tools that assess higher level thinking skills and the application of skills are also necessary.

The librarian is an advocate for and creator of assessments that give parents and communities far more meaningful measures of abilities and efficacies. Library programs lead in the development of methods of measuring and reporting the mastery of many different kinds of learning assessments including critiqued portfolios of work that show growth, reports of abilities to work collaboratively, evidence of the skill of self-assessment of work, and use of skills to make a thoughtful difference in society. Donald Norman reminds us that “The danger is that things that cannot be measured play no role in scientific work and are judged to be of little importance.”

The library program can also contribute to an improved school climate. By providing a safe, nurturing, and productive space, the school experience for all students improves. A good school library is a quality many parents look for when choosing a school for their children9.

Work with your librarians to determine if they:

•  Share their expertise in project-based learning and authentic assessment.
•  Serve on building leadership teams, curriculum committees, and in other leadership functions.
•  Communicate regularly with parents and the community about the library program and participates in the public relations efforts of the district.
  

It seems to me that Kappan magazine has had several articles about NCLBs negative impact in the ways you suggest. You might look there and I apologize for not being more specific.

I am not a research expert, but it seems like you may be attempting to find evidence for a preconceived notion as opposed to openly investigating whether the hypothesis you have is accurate. Just something to think about.

Oh, may I use your letter in my blog? I think it is a great topic for exploration.

All the very best!

Doug

Blue Skunk readers, any ideas of sources for Christianne?

The power of positivity!

Earlier this month, Adam Janowski, media specialist extraordinaire from Naples, Florida, wrote a guest blog entry on computer gaming in libraries. Sadly, in a follow-up comment to his defense of games, he wrote:

"Oh, how things can shift in days. Our superinendent was sacked yesterday, and today I get a message from our principal say NO to games.

"No discussion. Just an ultimatum.

"Such is life in a public school."

Happily, here is the rest of the story which is less about games and more about proactivity. - Doug 

I will start this post with an anecdotal story. For three years now, "Edison", a junior, has been the first person I have busted for playing Internet games on the computer. This year he said, "But Mr. J., this is an educational game!" It was. Very much like "Lingo" if you are a Game Channel addict. "Edison, for three years now, you have tested me, the rule is still the rule, "No Games"!
 
Some of you know from an earlier post that my principal had issued and edict banning computer games in the LMCon the basis that they violated "academic integrity". No discussion, that's all I had requested. After much back and forth, she told me that I could bring it up at our school Leadership Council meeting, but that still bothered me. I did it, but then tabled it. I wanted to talk about it first.
 
Someone who responded to my post on your blog, led me to a great article in support of gaming. I also contacted our District Coordinator, who told me there was no district prohibition on Internet games, and that they were, in fact, reviewing a Math gaming program to be implemented district-wide.
 
Today my colleague and I had an informal meeting with the principal in our office. We plied her with freshly-brewed Colombian coffee and home-made (I made them) pecan sandies. We brought up the issue of gaming. We gave her the article. We talked about the fact that we were not "normal" librarians, and that we were leaders in the field, that we had one of the few high school Reading is Fundamental (RIF) programs in the nation, that we were one of the few libraries that embraced a totally paperback fiction collection, that we had implemented an Information Commons to encourage creativity, and that we were recognized nationally for our innovations. I told her that we were tired of being the "games police" and that students would still play games, but just close windows as we came close. It was only the slower students that we caught. We told her that we were just encouraging students to become more sly, not a good thing.
 
Still, she was not convinced, until I pulled out my trump card! She still wanted it to go to the Leadership Council. But as she read the list of reasons that Doug Johnson posted about gaming and came to "Kids might be finding school fun and we all know life isn't about fun," she laughed out loud and said "OK, I give, it is really your room and you should set your own rules." "I just don't want them playing violent or inappropriate games. Let's try it as a pilot program for the semester."
 
At lunch today, I told Edison that we had persuaded the principal that games would be OK as a pilot program. We played his "Lingo-type" game together and he and I were able to advance to the next level. He said he had never been able to do that before as he "High-Fived" me! Life is good!
 
Adam <okadam (at) comcast.net>

Top Ten Reasons for Games in Libraries

Ten Reasons for Games in Libraries

Just off the top of my head...

1. Games get kids into the library who might not otherwise come in, increasing the likelihood of book check out.
2. Games keep kids busy who might otherwise be disturbing other kids.
3. Playing games gives teeth to the threat, "If you don't follow the AUP you will loose your computer privileges, library pass, etc."
4. Games give kids practice with social skills.
5. Game give kids practice learning strategy and logic.
6. Games teach content.
7. Games allow students to build reading and math skills.
   
8. Looking for games and/or information about games builds research skills.
9. Games build intergenerational conversations and relationships.
   
10. Games build a positive association with school and libraries that might not otherwise be there for a lot of kids.
    

 Three Reasons for Banning Games in Libraries

1. Kids might be using resources (computers, chairs, oxygen) that other kids might need to do research.
2. Kids might be finding school fun and we all know life isn't about fun.
3. Games are against school rules.

Add your own, please!

(Check this post about 11 games that will make you smarter.)