New AASL toolkit brings the power of the school library to preservice principals and teachers

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) released a new toolkit in response to a concern that future principals and teachers are often unaware of the positive impact that school librarians and school library programs can have on student achievement. The freely available Preservice Toolkit, developed by the Educators of School Librarians Section (ESLS), provides a variety of materials to help both preservice and in-service principals and teachers understand the value of the school library program, as well as the value of instructional collaboration between school librarians and teachers. 

“We are excited to offer this toolkit to school librarians, in the hopes that they will recommend and share this collection with school leaders and teaching colleagues,” said Rebecca Morris, ESLS past chair. “Principals and teachers are key partners in attaining student learning outcomes in the school library program. With this curated list, school librarians can share articles, websites, research and other resources to explain and substantiate the role of the school library program, and provide strategies for integrating the library into the curricular priorities of the school.”

“It is also ESLS’s hope that educators of school librarians will share them with pre-service school librarians, teachers and principals,” adds Karen Gavigan, ESLS chair. “Using these resources with both practitioners and preservice educators can help these stakeholders understand the significant impact that school library programs and school librarians have on student achievement.”

Principal and teacher certification programs seldom include information about the school library program. The trend continues in education journals, which lack articles about the value of the school library program, or how to collaborate with school librarians. The resources included in the toolkit demonstrate the significant role that quality library programs can play in student learning.

The American Association of School Librarians www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.