School Libraries in a Time of Change: How To Survive and Thrive

This volume offers an overview of relevant challenges facing school librarians both now and in the near future, and advocates that librarians be at the forefront of addressing these challenges within their school communities. Each chapter focuses on a different area, including technological, economic, employment, educational, social and behavioral, instructional, and organization and management trends. The chapters each consists of an overview of noteworthy trends, a discussion of the implications for school librarians, and questions for discussion. In closing, Craver distills her message down to six ways in which school librarians can secure and communicate their continued value: demonstrate technological competence; participate in decision-making teams; implement evidence-based instructional practices; take part in outreach related to changes in employment opportunities; develop responsive, inclusive programs and services; and integrate information literacy instruction across the curriculum. Those seeking quick, actionable steps may be better served elsewhere, though the penultimate chapters in particular (focusing on instructional and organization and management trends) include resources and concrete ideas for instruction and programming.