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CHICAGO — In time for School Library Month, the Office for Library Advocacy (OLA), in collaboration with American Association of School Librarians (AASL), has introduced a new School Library Snapshot tool. This tailored infographic allows school librarians to create a visual representation of how their library aligns with provisions in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), from providing information literacy instruction to working with teachers and hosting enrichment activities.

Individually or aggregated, this data can be used to highlight the fact that school librarians truly are the hub of a school community—essential to fundamental literacy as well as higher level information literacy, critical thinking and inquiry. It also reminds us that school librarians reach every member of the school community, working with students, teachers and staff across content areas and grade levels, during and outside of school hours.

This easy-to-use tool produces and infographic than can be shared with school administrators and elected officials as a reminder that, as local education agencies move forward with local efforts around ESSA, school librarians are critical partners in the agencies’ planning and implementation.

The Library Snapshot is a project initially developed by the New Jersey Library Association and New Jersey State Library, and it has been used across the country to gather and provide critical information about libraries of all types to decision-makers.in an easy to digest way. This newest version has been adapted specifically for use specifically by school librarians and is being premiered on AASL’s website.

Related Links

ala.org/aasl/slm