The School Librarian as Curriculum Leader

Drawing on a solid corpus of academic work in leadership, organization, and change theory, Howard has created a useful selection for serious students of library science interested in leadership. Though the first chapter, which provides solid background and defines and explores the idea of the curriculum, is comparatively dry, the rest of the book is more engaging as Howard weaves practical applications into theoretical discussions. The material can be divided into three main categories: an introduction to the terms, information on how curriculum leadership impacts collection development, and a section on librarians as instructional partners and leaders. Each chapter begins with a summary of what readers will take away and ends with reflective questions. Howard blends seminal and current work to offer readers the framework for her assertions. The title is short enough to be skimmed quickly but meaty enough for readers to return to, and the index is especially helpful. This is a valuable resource for school librarians as they consider, and reconsider, their roles as instructional partners, and it will give them the tools they need to become leaders.