Resources & Training for School Library Staff

Access the Washington State Library Training Calendar Here

Access the Washington State Library Clock Hours Niche Academy Here

Virtual Learning Resources

WA Digital TeachKit is a resource guide developed by teacher librarians to support their fellow educators around WA with guides to various tools used to engage learners in virtual spaces.

Collection Management Policies

Creating and maintaining a robust collection development plan and collection management policy are key components of any school library program. Whether you are revamping an old policy, or creating a new one from scratch, here are some resources to get started.

• “Why do you need a collection development plan?” by Sedley Abercrombie, Knowledge Quest: Journal of the American Association of School Librarians—This resource also contains links to additional resources including a blank template of a collection development plan.
• Selection and Reconsideration Policy Toolkit for Public, School, & Academic Libraries, American Library Association
• “Collection Development Policies and Procedures for School Libraries,” Resources for School Librarians, a curated collection of links to resources maintained by Linda Bertland.
• An Introduction to Collection Development for School Librarians by Mona Kerby, ALA Editions, 2019.

Selection

A big part of building a school library collection is ensuring that the collection meets the needs of library users. This includes teachers as well as students who are using the collection to fulfill curricular needs and will be looking for current and engaging non-fiction as well as online resources. Another role of the school library is to develop a community of readers. Making sure that the library is making resources available that equitably and respectfully represent the experiences of all children and presenting current information.

• “Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children’s Books” by Louise Derman-Sparks, Teaching For Change
• “Selection Tools for Book, Videos, and Computer Software,” Resources for School Librarians a curated collection of links to resources maintained by Linda Bertland.
• ALA’s Rainbow Book List is an annual curated bibliography highlighting books with significant LGBTQIA+ content aimed at youth ages birth-18.
• “Criteria for the Selection of Young Adult Queer Literature” by Stephanie R. Logan, Terri A. Lasswell, Yolanda Hood, and Dwight C. Watson, English Journal

Weeding

• “Weeding the Library Collection” from LibraryU, a program of the Illinois State Library and the regional library systems, accessed through WebJunction
• CREW: A Weeding Manual for Modern Libraries
• “Keeping your library collection smelling F.R.E.S.H.” by Jennifer LaGarde, The Adventures of Library Girl!

Evaluating Library Collections

• “Diversity auditing 101: How to evaluate your collection” by Karen Jensen, School Library Journal
• “Diversity Considerations in YA: Doing a Diversity Audit” by Karen Jensen. Outline and sources from the Teen Librarian Toolbox series on diversity audits.
• “The Problem with Picture-Book Monkeys: Racist imagery associating simians with Black people has a long history” by Edith Campbell, School Library Journal
• Criteria from How to Tell the Difference: A Guide for Evaluating Children’s Books for Anti-Indian Bias by Doris Seale, Beverly Slapin and Rosemary Gonzales

Webinars & Self-Paced Courses

Check out the Washington State Library Training page for more information on upcoming workshops, webinars and the full collection of online training resources including WebJunction and Niche Academy.

• Washington State Library Youth Services Niche Academy contains training resources specifically geared toward library staff working with youth
• “Weeding the Library Collection” from LibraryU, a program of the Illinois State Library and the regional library systems, accessed through WebJunction
• Project READY: Reimagining Equity & Access for Diverse Youth a free online professional development curriculum developed by the University of North Carolina, Wake County Public School System and North Carolina Central University with funding from IMLS

School Library Media Certification Programs in Washington State

Antioch University Seattle: Antioch University Seattle’s Library Media Endorsement program is a Washington state-approved, standards-based endorsement that can be added to an existing Washington state or reciprocal state teaching certificate. The program consists of seven graduate courses offered quarterly (10 weeks per course) and can be completed within one academic year and summer or at your own pace. Courses can be taken completely online or with some face-to-face, hybrid options. Coursework blends research and theory with best practices in education and school librarianship while embedding the principles of social justice and leadership throughout the program.

Central Washington University: All the courses needed to complete the requirements to qualify for adding a Library Media endorsement to your teaching certificate are offered completely online. Individuals completing this 26 credit program will have met the minimum initial level of preparation necessary to direct a learning resources (library media) center in a K-12 school.

Eastern Washington University: Through 100 percent online coursework taught by experienced faculty, you will develop enhanced expertise in librarian leadership and administration. Explore key functions of the library media specialist, including technology-embedded instruction, information and resource literacy, as well as media collection management. The rigorous curriculum consists of six library media specialization courses and an internship with a mentor librarian. You will also create a portfolio displaying work integral to being a skilled library media educator.

Seattle Pacific University: As the Washington Library Association’s framework states, school librarians work to improve information and technology literacy campus-wide, promote a culture of avid readers, and provide information and resource management services to students and staff. SPU’s Library Media Endorsement Program is designed to guide and support school librarians as they help their campus thrive. Our program is offered in partnership with Highline College.

University of Washington: This is not a standalone program, but can be completed during the MLIS degree as part of the degree plan.