Guidelines for Pennsylvania School Library Programs | Compendium

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Guidelines for Pennsylvania School Library Programs

by | Jul 9, 2019 | Academic Libraries, Children's Services, Glenn R. Miller Deputy Secretary and Commissioner for Libraries, Resources of Interest, School Libraries

Glenn R. Miller
Glenn R. Miller

Glenn Miller, Deputy Secretary & Commissioner for Libraries

Guidelines for Pennsylvania
School Library Programs

I am pleased to announce that the Governor’s Advisory Council on Library Development (GAC) reviewed and approved a new set of Guidelines for Pennsylvania School Library Programs (PDF) at its most recent meeting in Carlisle on May 30, 2019.

Designed to complement the National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries (American Association of School Librarians, 2018), the Guidelines for Pennsylvania School Library Programs (PDF) identifies and builds upon eight indicators for an effective school library program by providing goals, guidelines, and resources that will promote excellence in Pennsylvania school libraries and will result in highly positive learning outcomes.

The guidelines are intended for use by school librarians, school administrators, classroom educators, families, community members, public library staff and board members, and university library science programs.

Many Thanks Due to Guideline Creators

Important documents like this require lots of thought and input from many people.  I want to thank the dozens of individuals who were involved in drafting, reviewing, and approving the guidelines – many of whom are listed on page 3 of the guidelines.

In addition, I especially want to acknowledge the Steering Committee’s five members, each of whom spent so much time leading and guiding the guidelines’ development.  The Steering Committee included working school librarians, Pennsylvania School Librarians Association leadership, a Governor’s Advisory Council member, and an Office of Commonwealth Libraries staff member.  They were:

  1. Jennifer Bates – Central Columbia School District – Central Columbia High School Librarian;
  2. Cathi Fuhrman – Hempfield School District – District Library Supervisor;
  3. Eileen Kern – AASL National School Library Program of the Year Guidelines Revision Task Force;
  4. Allison Mackley – Derry Township School District – Hershey High School Librarian; Advisory Council on Library Development member; and
  5. Susan Pannebaker – Pennsylvania Department of Education Office of Commonwealth Libraries – Bureau of Library Development Youth Services

More Information

I encourage everyone who is interested in achieving positive learning outcomes through school library services to review the Guidelines for Pennsylvania School Library Programs (PDF).

For questions about the new guidelines, please contact Susan Pannebaker (spannebake@pa.gov or 717.214.4047) or Sue Banks, Director of Library Development  (susbanks@pa.gov or 717.214.4046.)

Glenn

Glenn R. Miller | Deputy Secretary & Commissioner for Libraries
Pennsylvania Department of Education | Office of Commonwealth Libraries
333 Market St., 11th Floor | Harrisburg, PA  17101-2210
Phone: 717-783-2646 | www.statelibrary.pa.gov
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