Beyond the Four Walls. Mingling with the AASL Standards

American Association of School Librarians. Available from: American Library Association. 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611. Tel: 1-800-545-2433; Web site: http://knowledgequest.aasl.org/

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Media Staff

School Libraries; Library Services; Public Libraries; Institutional Cooperation; Library Associations; National Standards; Librarians

1094-9046

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Standards are an invitation to explore the endless possibilities of "why." The standards provide permission to take risks, to step beyond the comfort of four walls to truly stretch and grow. The AASL Standards provide a common language for school library stakeholders that bring into focus the competencies of engaged, persistent, and adaptive learning communities. Statistics reveal that younger generations are using public libraries more than older generations. Partnering with the public library, by its very nature, will take you beyond the physical four walls of the school library, but it will also present unique challenges. It is encouraging to see public librarians and school librarians both so eager and excited to work together, and the American Association of School Librarians (AASL)/Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC)/Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Public Library and School Library Collaboration toolkit provides many practical ideas that could be implemented along with some tips to help ensure successful collaboration. The article provides information where the toolkit can be down loaded, but the toolkit does not directly address "how" to apply the new AASL Standards to these partnerships. Public librarians serving children and youth might be aware that AASL released new standards, but the responsibility of applying the learner standards will most likely fall to the school librarian. This article advises school librarians to make time to explore the new standards in one of their initial meetings with public librarians. This article encourages school librarians to ask if their public library has a copy of the "National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries." School librarians could help the public library get a copy or direct the public librarians to the resources on the AASL Standards website. Strong partnerships such as these will strengthen both library programs, foster a stronger community, and ultimately better prepare students for the future. The AASL Standards characterize learning as a complex and evolving journey marked by the cultivation of competencies. The school librarian is a notable leader on this journey. Learning experiences are enriched when the school librarian prioritizes learners' development of responsive strategies and the growth mindset to apply them to inquiries beyond the four walls of the classroom.

ERIC

2019

EJ1207623