GREAT LIBRARIES IN GREAT CITIES: THE ROLE OF THE SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA PROGRAM SUPERVISOR

Sheri Anita MasseyDoctoral Candidate, University of Maryland

Overview

School Library Media Program (SLMP) in Urban Areas

Standards SLMP Supervisor Literature Research Agenda Great School Libraries

What do we know about school library media program supervisors? How do supervisors affect library services to students in large urban school districts?

Urban Schools Challenges facing urban schools:

Size Inadequate funding Lack of resources Greater cultural and ethnic diversity Higher proportion of new immigrants

than is typically found in suburban and rural schools

Weiner, 1999

SLMP

Collection-centered LMS as

“Keeper of the Books”

Focus on finding information

Exists in isolation

Learner-centered LMS as

information specialist

Focus on information literacy

Encourages collaboration

Then Now

Books…in beautiful school libraries developed with the artfulness of skilled librarians, remain the clearest window

to a world of noncommercial satisfactions and enticements that

most children in poor neighborhoods will ever know.

SLMP in Urban Areas

Kozol, 2000, p. 48

“

”

Standards

Contributions of the Standards National Standards for SLMPs

1920, 1925, 1960, 1969, 1975, 1988, 1998 Shape the role of the SLMP District-level SLMP supervisor as leader Stimulate discussion & publication

[The supervisor] interpret[s] the role of the library to everyone...so that

people are made aware of the importance of the library in all places

in the school program.

SLMP Supervisor

“

”Saunders, 1968, p. 149

SLMP supervisor… Administers the SLMP; Communicates the district’s goals,

objectives and policies to library media staff and explains the role of the SLMP and SLMS to stakeholders;

Teaches SLM staff how to develop and coordinate a SLMP

Facilitates the provision of instructional resources; and,

Leads the development and advancement of SLMPs American Library Association, 1994

What do we know about school library media program supervisors?

How do supervisors affect library services to students in large urban

school districts?

Literature

ChallengesFew publications

The SLMP Supervisor appears in the 1920, 1925, 1960, 1969, 1975, 1988 Standards

Missing from the most recent Standards – 1998Research studiesInconsistent terminology

Advisors SupervisorsConsultants

Coordinators

Specialists

Directors LibraryServices

EducationMedia

District Regional

17 Studies Author(s) Year Format Role Services 1 Newcomb 1968 Diss ■ 2 Bundy, Wasserman & O'Connell 1970 Report ■ 3 Ahlers 1974 Report ■ 4 Eberhard 1975 Diss ■ 5 Pichette 1975 Diss ■ 6 Macon 1977 Diss ■ 7 Sullivan 1977 Diss ■ 8 Coleman 1982 Diss ■ 9 Andwood 1984 Diss ■ 10 Held 1986 Diss ■ 11 Krentz 1986 Diss ■ 12 Zsiray 1986 Diss ■ 13 Dandridge 1988 Diss ■ 14 Jackson 1988 Diss ■ 15 Nelson 1988 Diss ■ 16 McCulley 1989 Diss ■ 17 Coulter 1990 Diss ■

Characteristics & Perceptionsof the SLMP Supervisor

12 studies Explored how stakeholders viewed the

SLMP supervisor Discrepancies among stakeholders

Discussion of duties Newcomb, 1968; Ahlers & Wieman, 1974; Sullivan, 1977; Macon, 1977; Krentz 1986; Held, 1986; McCulley, 1989; Coulter, 1990

Perceived power/influenceBundy et al., 1970; Andwood, 1984; Nelson, 1988

The effect of the SLMP Supervisor on library services

5 studies Explored how the presence of a SLMP

supervisor affected the provision of library services

Effect Strong positive effect

Ebherhard, 1974; Coleman, 1982

Somewhat positive effect Dandridge; 1988; Jackson, 1988

Negative effectZsiray, 1986

Studies (Summary) 2 areas

Characteristics & perceptions of the SLMP Supervisor Little/no disagreement on roles Misperceptions of power

The effect of the SLMP Supervisor on library services Suggest positive influence on services

Weak start, more research needed in both areas Diversify research methods Urban focus

Great School Libraries

Research Agenda Replicate Bundy et al., 1970 Focus on large, urban SLMPs ESEA Title II Funds

SLMP supervisors as being: absorbed in expanding collections [rather

than] expand[ing] services to clients.Bundy et al., 1970, p. 75

“ ”

Research Agenda Online questionnaire Open-ended, qualitative elements Shorter (25 pages) Additional issues

Trends over time Funding Internet/Web technology

Next steps: Discussion at ALA in Chicago

Sheri Anita Masseysmassey@umd.edu

Thank you!

Great School Libraries Steering Committee:Ann Carlson Weeks, Pam Berger, Paul Whitsitt, Barbara Stripling, Dave Schroeter, Leshell Hatley

http://greatlibs.ning.com/