Public Libraries and Schools: A Natural Partnership for Student Success

 

General

Associations/Organizations

ALSC/AASL/YALSA Joint Task Force on School/Public Library Cooperative Activities

http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/alscresources/forlibrarians/SchPLCoopActivities.htm

 

California Library Association (CLA)

            http://www.cla-net.org/

 

California School Library Association (CSLA)

            www.schoolibrary.org

 

California Department of Education School Libraries (CDE)

            http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/lb/

            Current information on California’s school libraries and additional pertinent information.

 

Models of Partnership

Howard County (MD) A+ Partners in Education

            http://www.hclibrary.org/partners

Partnership between Howard County Library and the Howard County Public School System.

 

CLASP (Connecting libraries and schools program)

http://www.nypl.org/branch/services/clasp.html

Public library/school partnership that links schools serving students in grades K-8 and the 3 New York City public library systems.

 

School Corps, Multnomah County Library

            http://www.multcolib.org/schoolcorps/

            A variety of services the library provides to Multnomah County schools.

 

California Library Bond Act

            http://www.olc.library.ca.gov

Web site of the Library Bond Act of 2000 with grant status reports including libraries and locations selected.


Elements for a Successful Partnership

Outcomes Measurement Information, California State Library

            http://www.library.ca.gov/html/grants.cfm#out

            http://www.library.ca.gov/assets/acrobat/lsta/LSTA6_Chart.doc

Helpful documents include a definition of the outcomes evaluation concepts, basic steps, a glossary, and bibliography. The second link provides a chart for organizing and measuring outcomes.

 

Partnerships/Joint Use Comparisons Chart 

http://www.library.ca.gov/assets/acrobat/partventcmpr.pdf

A useful guide from the California State Library’s, Library of Development Services publication.

 

Sample Joint-Use Cooperative Agreement

http://www.olc.library.ca.gov/c2appdocs/dorris/Cycle2JointUseAgreement2046.pdf

 

Public/School Cooperative Agreement notes from Dr. Ken Haycock workshop, Building the 21st Century Library

http://institute21.stanford.edu/programs/workshop/facilities/schools_handout.pdf

 

Sample Master Cooperative-Use Agreement Guidelines, Wisconsin Dept. of Public Instruction

http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/dpi/dlcl/pld/comblibs.html#appendixE

 

Building Relationships through Communication

Discover@PWPLS, An email newsletter for educators, Prince William County Library

            http://www.pwcgov.org/library

            Information on web based resources sent three times a year.

 

School Corp Quarterly Newletter

            http://www.multcolib.org/schoolcorps/scq/

This newsletter describes public library services and /or events that are relevant to educators countywide, at all grade levels.

 

eKids Newsletter, Fresno County Public Library

            http://www.fresnolibrary.org/child/prch/ekids.html

 

eConnect Library Newsletter, Marin County Free Library

            http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/lb/main/newsletter.cfm

 

Collection Resources for a Digital Age

Bucket of Books, Multnomah County Library

            www.multcolib.org/schoolcorps/bucket.html

Buckets of theme-related books and teacher guides with additional resources that circulate among teachers.

 

CALIFA

www.califa.org

A membership-based service to all libraries in CA, offering reduced costs on resources, equipment, and many services.

 

Content Standards for California Schools

http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/

Content area standards available online at the California Department of Education web site. These serve as excellent material selection guides.

 

Educator Cards, Multnomah County Library

            www.multcolib.org/schoolcorps/edcard.html

            cards for educators in K-12 and homeschoolers, with extended check-out periods.

 

Library of California

http://www.library.ca.gov/loc/

With regional networks of school, public, academic, and special libraries.

 

Sample public library linking high schools in their service area Teen Page, Marin County Free Library

            http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/lb/main/teens/schools.cfm

            Marin County High Schools linked from the public library page

 

Homework Help

Resources

Assignment Alert

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/home/index.asp?page=1341

http://www.cityofinglewood.org/depts/library/childrens/assignment_alertform.htm

http://www.multcolib.org/schoolcorps/assign.html#form

            http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/LB/main/assignmentformi.cfm

Sample online alert forms to use with schools and teachers.

 

AskNow

http://www.asknow.org

Immediate and reliable information from librarians throughout California 24  hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

Tutor.com

http://www2.tutor.com/

Real – time homework assistance for grades 4-12 in English and Spanish,

administered through state grants and AskNow.

http://www.library.ca.gov/Tutor/index.cfm

The California State Library initiative supporting this service.

 

National History Day Web site

            http://www.nationalhistoryday.org/

 

California State Science Fair Web site

            http://www.usc.edu/CSSF/

 

Chico High School Library High Quality Web sites for student research

            http://dewey.chs.chico.k12.ca.us/

 

Fresno County Public Library Homework Help for Children and Teens

http://www.fresnolibrary.org/child/hwch/index.html

http://www.fresnolibrary.org/teen/hc/index.html 

Carefully selected, evaluated, and annotated web sites connected to California content standards general areas by grade level.

 

San Jose Public Library Teen Homework Resources

            http://www.sjlibrary.org/gateways/teens/links/homework.htm 

 

ALA/ALSC Great Web Sites for Kids

http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/greatwebsites/greatwebsiteskids.htm

Topically arranged web sites selected by librarians around the country.

 

Multnomah County Public Library Homework Sites

http://www.multcolib.org/homework/

            Selected and evaluated web sites arranged by subject areas.

 

Homework centers

Homework Pals, Monterey City Library

            http://www.monterey.org/volunteer/library/homepal.html

            The library trains volunteers to assist with homework help in the schools.

 

Monterey County Free Libraries Homework Center

            http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/library/hwc.html

Information about their homework centers and a directory of branch locations.

 

San Jose Public Library Homework Center

            http://www.sjlibrary.org/gateways/kids/homework/index.htm

San Jose Public Library’s homework help site, which includes a directory of local branches offering on-site homework centers

 

Study Zone, King County Public Library

            http://www.kcls.org/studyzone/

            Drop – in for homework help at the public library.

 

Outreach

SWIFT (Student Web Instruction for Teachers), Hennepin County Library

            www.hclib.org/ToolboxForTeachers

Class visits and staff development workshops for secondary schools instruct in the use of the library’s resources.

 

Pathfinders

Teaching American History grant Pathfinders

http://www.cusd.com/calonline/tah/default3.htm

Online pathfinders compiled by teachers and librarians, connected to the California History and Social Studies standards in 5th, 8th and 11th grades U.S. History.

 

Indianapolis Marion County Public Library Pathfinders

            http://infozone.imcpl.org/kids_pathfinders.htm

Pathfinders for kids in a variety of curriculum related and extracurricular subjects including movies, sports & entertainment, history, and science.

 

Internet Public Library Pathfinders

http://www.ipl.org/div/pf/entry/48549

A large number of expert guides in varied subjects suitable for students intended to help you get started doing research.

 

Newport Beach Public Library Homework Help

            http://www.city.newport-beach.ca.us/nbpl/children/homeworkhelp.htm

This homework help site includes Fast Finds-virtual pathfinders on major report topics.

 

Teaching the Process

K-12 Information Literacy in the Digital Age – an Infopeople workshop 

http://infopeople.org/training/past/2004/k12infolit/

Go to Bookmarks for the Resource List from recent Infopeople Information Literacy I completed with library media teacher.

 

Big6

            www.big6.com

            The most widely used information literacy problem solving process.

 

Find It @ your Library, Fresno County Public Library

            http://www.fresnolibrary.org/child/pcch/webguide.html

Web resources for teachers and parents to help students learn the research process and develop problem solving skills.

 

Kentucky Virtual Library for Kids

http://www.kyvl.org/html/kids/homebase.html

The six stages of the research process presented in a kid – appealing format.

 

Reading, Literature, Literacy

Reading resources

John and Patricia Beatty Award

            http://cla-net.org/groups/beatty/beatty.html

            An annual award that promotes awareness of California and its people.

 

Award Winners, American Library Service to Children (ALSC)

            http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/literaryawds/literaryrelated.htm

Literary awards sponsored by ALA and the ALSC division of the American Library Association (ALA).

 

The Coretta Scott King Award

            http://www.ala.org/ala/emiert/corettascottkingbookawards/winnersa/cskawardwinners.htm

Awarded annually to honor an African-American author and illustrator for outstanding contribution which promotes understanding and promotion of the culture and contributes to the “American Dream.”

 

The Pura Belpre Award –

http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/literaryawds/belpremedal/belprmedal.htm

Presented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.

 

Literary Awards sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)

http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/booklistsawards/booklistsbook.htm 

Annual award for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature.

 

Orbis Pictus Award

            http://www.ncte.org/elem/awards/orbispictus

Annual award given to an author of outstanding nonfiction for children by the  National Council of Teachers of English.

 

Scott O’Dell Award

            http://www.scottodell.com/sosoaward.html#top

            Awarded annually for Historical Fiction.

 

Notable Social Studies Trade Books

            http://www.socialstudies.org/resources/notable/

 

Outstanding Science Trade Books

            http://www.nsta.org/ostbc

            From the National Science Teachers Association.

 

Teen Corner The Reader’s Club

            http://www.readersclub.org/category.asp?cat=4 

The Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenberg County, NC provides annotated booklists of great teen reads. Readers are invited to submit their own reviews.

 

Literature for Science and Math: K-12

            http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/sc/ll/

A bibliography of outstanding literature that corresponds with the California content standards.

 

Fresno County Public Library Children’s and Teen Booklists

            http://www.fresnolibrary.org/child/bkch/index.html

            http://www.fresnolibrary.org/teen/bn/booklists.html

A collection of booklists on popular titles by grade level, personal interests, multicultural literature, historical periods, and more. Titles are linked to the catalog for availability.

 

Recommended Literature: K-12

            http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/rl/ll/

A bibliography of outstanding literature for children and adolescents recommended by school and public librarians, and teachers in California.

 

Sacramento City Unified School District Library Literature resources

            http://www.scusd.edu/libraryservices/index.htm

 

San Francisco Public Library Booklists

            http://www.sfpl.org/sfplonline/kids/booklist.htm for kids

            http://www.sfpl.org/sfplonline/teen/recread.htm for teens

 

Reading incentive programs

The California Young Reader Medal

            http://www.cla-net.org/awards/cyrm.php          

Favorite books nominated and awarded annually by California students, teachers,

and librarians in four age/grade areas.

In-N-Out Burger Reading Program

            http://www.in-n-out.com/default.asp - #949.509.6200 

            For this program, call the phone number (no web sign-up available).

 

Letters about Literature and “Comix”, California Center for the Book

            http://www.calbook.org/programs

            Annual reading and writing contest for students in grades 4-12.

 

Every Child Ready to Read, ALSC and PLA

            http://www.pla.org/ala/pla/plaissues/earlylit/earlyliteracy.htm

            An early literacy initiative.

 

Reading Rockets, ALSC and AASL

            www.readingrockets.org and

            http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslproftools/toolkits/Reading_Rockets_Tool_Kit.pdf

A reading readiness partnership bringing these two ALA divisions and PBS together. It includes program ideas, recommended books, and a screening tool for reading readiness.

           

California Summer Reading Collaborative

            http://summerreading.cla-net.org/

California summer reading program collaborative 2006 sponsored by the California State Library.

 

Special Programs and Annual Events

Children’s Book Week – November

            http://www.cbcbooks.org/cbw

 

El dia de los ninos, ALSC

            http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/alscresources/eldiadelosnios/eldadelosnios.htm

Public and school libraries can join to celebrate the Day of the Child in their communities.

 

Kids Love a Mystery

            http://www.mysterywriters.org/pages/news/klam.htm

            October is Kids Love a Mystery Month sponsored by Mystery Writers of America.

 

Library Card Sign Up Month - September

            http://www.ala.org/ala/pio/factsheets/librarycardsign.htm

 

National Library Week – April

            http://www.ala.org/ala/pio/campaign/nlw/nationallibraryweek.htm

 

Read Across America

            http://www.nea.org/readacross/index.html

            Sponsored by the NEA (National Education Assc.) and celebrated March 2nd in schools and libraries around the country.

 

School Library Media Month – April

            http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslissues/aasladvocacy/schoollibrary.htm

 

Teen Read Week – October

            http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/teenreading/trw/teenreadweek.htm

 

TV – Turnoff Week

            http://www.tvturnoff.org/

            Endorsed by non-profits nationwide, and promoted by schools and libraries.

 

Young People’s Poetry Week – April

            http://www.cbcbooks.org/yppw/

Proceed to these web sites for background information on the events, programming ideas, publicity ideas, and useable graphics.

 

Other Programs

One Book One Sacramento

            http://www.saclibrary.org/MyOneBook/OneBookMain.htm

Collaborative activities between public library and Sacramento City high schoolsBooks read at the high school, collaborate on author visit too.

 

Children’s Author Lecture, Multnomah County and elementary school

            http://www.multcolib.org/kids/lecture

Joint funded program bringing well known children’s authors, including autographed books.

 

Outreach

BLAST (Bringing Libraries and Schools Together, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

            http://www.carnegielibrary.org/kids/grownups/teacherslibrarians/blast/  

            3 focused programs bring reading opportunities to elementary school students.

 

Reading Connections @ the Guilderland Public Library: Linking Parents and Teens

            http://www.guilderlandpublic.info/teenpage.html

 

Bookleggers

            http://www.aclibrary.org/services/booklegger.asp

            Volunteers from Alameda County library visit K-8 classrooms with booktalks.

 

Booktalking Outreach and Kindergarten Outreach, Fresno County Public Library

            http://www.fresnolibrary.org/child/pcch/index.html

            Public librarian teams visit classrooms to stir up excitement in reading and promote the library.

 

Great Library Card Adventure/Get Carded, Multnomah County Library

            http://www.multcolib.org/schoolcorps/glca.html

Library card campaign for kindergarteners through 5th graders, and Get Carded for middle and high school students.


Cultivating Read Aloud, Booktalking, And Storytelling Skills

Nancy Keane’s Booktalks – Quick and Simple

            http://www.nancykeane.com/booktalks/

 

YALSA, Professional Development Topics; Booktalking –

            http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/professsionaldev/booktalking.htm

 

Bristlecone Storytelling Festival, Clark County School Distirct

            http://www.ccsd.net/story/intro.html

4th-6th grade students are taught storytelling skills, participate in storytelling festivals at different levels, and perform in the library’s theaters.

 

Public Libraries and Schools: A Natural Partnership for Student Success Winter 2005-2006 – This material has been created by Cynthia MacDonald for the Infopeople Project [infopeople.org], supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. Any use of this materials should credit the author and funding source.