Virtual

While many school librarians believe they have a mission and a vision for their program, few have actually written one. Writing and relying on these two succinct statements (around 25 words each) allows busy librarians to make clear judgments about priorities. As a result, they are less likely to feel overwhelmed by the daily demands of the job. Posting these clearly worded statements in the school library can help LMS open dialogues with classroom teachers, leading to increased collaboration and decreased misuse of the Library Media Center.

Essential Questions and Enduring Understandings are now required in curriculum maps as well as in unit and lesson plans. Learn what EQs and EUs are and how to use them to promote lifelong learning in the school library program. Participants will work in groups to incorporate EQs and EUs into their current lesson plans to provide additional meaning and purpose to their instruction.

After this workshop, participants will be able to:

Does it feel like no one knows what you do? Learn to brand your program and bring it front and center in your building and district. Let your stakeholders know what makes your program invaluable. Send a carefully-crafted message to showcase how your program is unique and indispensable. Create your elevator speech and tailor it to your audience.

After this workshop, participants will be able to:

While strategic planning is regularly done by associations, corporations, and other large entities under the guidance of a facilitator, school librarians need to develop and implement a strategic plan to avoid drowning in everyday details. Start with a Mission and build a two-to-three-year plan which incorporates all the components of a strategic plan. Be able to clearly see your direction and be able to celebrate your achievements.

After this workshop, participants will be able to:

In today’s environment, being a leader is no longer an option: It is a job requirement. Recognize where you stand currently, identify the leadership qualities you have and which ones you need to develop. Learn the importance of having a Vision and a Mission and how to create them. Create a bare bones strategic plan. Everything you learn here will make you a better leader and will prompt colleagues and administrators to recognize the value of the library program.

After this workshop, participants will be able to: