[CALIBK12] Library Leadership

[Lynda Lincoln]

Hi Ron,
If you don't have a paper copy on your shelf, or otherwise handy, Standards
& Guidelines for Strong School Libraries is available online [as a PDF]
through the CSLA web site at http://www.csla.net/pub/other.htm

You might also visit the CA Dept of Education website re: School Libraries,
see, for example, 'Research Related to School Libraries'
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/lb/

Your county office of education could also provide professional library
support/assistance...perhaps Vicky Reed [San Diego Coe/School Library
Service] at vreed at sdcoe.net might address some of your questions [?]

Legal references you might check out [info available online]: Education Code
Sections 18100 and 44868, and Title 5, California Code of Regulations
Sections 17320, 16040 (a) and 80053 (b).


Lynda Lincoln
School Library Consultant


On 11/19/08 12:00 PM, "Linda Jewett" <ljewett12 at comcast.net> wrote:

> Ron,
> Look in Standards & Guidelines for Strong School Libraries (CSLA).
> There is a description of district level duties.
> 
> Linda Jewett
> On Nov 19, 2008, at 11:38 AM, Ron Black wrote:
> 
>> Thirty years ago, our school district had an accredited Library
>> Coordinator at the district level watching out for the library
>> technicians who were running each school library. She guided and
>> was an encouragement, attending library conferences with us,
>> helping the district choose new technicians when needed, and
>> generally helping us push reading and libraries at each site. Her
>> position was cut sixteen years ago and when asked who would be
>> directing us, we were told by the then superintendent that who ever
>> they put over us would "be able to handle the job".
>> 
>> That was the last accredited librarian our district ever had. The
>> ed tec supervisor was given our department and, while they have
>> been helpful to us when it came to automation, slowly they've been
>> given "other duties" as the years have rolled by and we hardly ever
>> see them or each other anymore. We had high hopes during a recent
>> budget cut when we were told by our Board of Education that every
>> one of them was impressed by our pleas for supporting the libraries
>> and student reading (without the "me-me-me" speeches they were
>> getting from other school positions). They were so supportive that
>> we were among the first to get the 8 positions they had eliminated
>> restored within a couple of months after the school year had begun.
>> 
>> Yet we still need strong leadership in our libraries! Even with
>> budgets getting sliced in California every month, we want to begin
>> educating our board and superintendent's cabinet as to why a strong
>> library leader at the district level is so important to not only
>> our own mental health but to help the district push forward in
>> their libraries, perhaps even getting grants and other funding
>> sources that a non-librarian wouldn't have time to search out or
>> even be aware of.
>> 
>> What I'm looking for is a site or recent books that can give us
>> lists of what a modern district library director should have going
>> for them in today's libraries. Even a criteria list of what's
>> legally expected from such a position in a California school
>> district would be helpful. We want to make a good case to show the
>> leadership that our district could be doing so much more with an
>> informed, dedicated and experienced librarian directing our sites
>> once more.
>> 
>> Thanks for any assistance or suggestions you can lend us!
>> 
>> Ronald L. Black
>> SLT- Central School
>> rblack at eusd4kids.org
>> Escondido Union School District
>> 
>> 
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