National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries

by American Association of School Librarians

AASL’s new integrated standards are designed to empower leaders to transform teaching and learning. The new National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries reflect an evolution of AASL Standards, building on philosophical foundations and familiar elements of previous standards while featuring the new streamlined AASL Standards Integrated Framework for learners, school librarians, and school libraries.

Three previously separate publications—AASL Standards for the 21st-Century Learner, Standards in Action, and Empowering Learners—are now framed within a single text, emphasizing the importance of all three standards sets while ensuring that standards-related activities are mutually reinforcing. The National School Library Standards enable school librarians to influence and lead in their schools, districts, and states and to develop plans that meet today’s educational landscape for learners, school librarians, and the school library.

Among the innovations:
Common Beliefs reflect current learning environments and professional best practices for effective school libraries; the new standards framework features five shared components—Shared Foundations, Key Commitments, Domains, Competencies and Alignments—which are designed to reflect each other; a section dedicated to assessment and evaluation provides examples on how to create your own tools that align school and district models with AASL Standards; scenarios for various types of school library professionals demonstrate techniques and practices for successful implementation in authentic situations for self-reflection, group professional development, and pre-service education; and included are a glossary of terms, useful verbs, a list of evidence, and other relevant appendices.

The National School Library Standards enables personalization for every learner and school librarian, allowing you to continuously tailor your school library to local needs, your own strengths, and learners’ benefit.

Genres: Nonfiction, Textbooks, Professional Development, Education, Grad School

328 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Jenny Ashby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obviously this is extremely comprehensive in covering the new standards. So much so, in fact, that it is impossible to absorb in just one reading and must instead be used as a reference book as you incorporate the standards into your program or let them shape the changes you will make. Given the ridiculous price of the book I had planned on reading it and passing it on to a colleague but now I know that I'll have to refer back to it regularly. I'm not sold yet on the format nor even the new standards as a whole because they seem repetitive in places and some are confusingly written, but I'm looking forward to exploring them during the upcoming year, particularly the program standards.

[Dr. T Loves Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best collections of professional education standards I've ever read (and I've had to read standards across various K-12 grade levels and subjects). The standards themselves are well thought-out, there are plenty of clear explanations and examples, and the formatting and layout keep things clear and easy to follow.

I highly recommend than every school library get a copy of these standards to have on hand for reference purposes; and school librarians should familiarize themselves with this standards so that they can enact them within regular practice.

Unlike some education standards, these are not "fluff" or a waste of time - they provide valuable guidance for school library media specialists.

[Cetoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I think this book is well done and written in easy to understand language, the $200 price is just...not worth it. The book compiles the standards, their definitions, examples, and explanations succinctly, but there is nothing here you cannot find for free online.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It does a comprehensive job of explaining the new Standards at the 12th-grade level. It also describes the roles of stakeholders in a library program. Some standards are repetitive and seem a little forced into the new format. Still, it is a must-read for librarians. It can be used as a starting place for planning library curriculum. Because it does not have grade level expectations or benchmarks, librarians will still need to complete these monumental tasks themselves.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Expensive book, but helpful in understanding the new standards. The infographics are especially helpful, as are the "best practices" lists for each shared foundation. The appendix offers a great review of important AASL positions as well. If you want you want to be an effective school librarian that leads an effective school library - this is a must read.

[Lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really quite disappointed with this book. For the cost, this is a waste of money because everything is freely available online and the contents of this volume are regurgitations of the same information every chapter. It reads like a very strange advertisement in favor of the standards, and I would not recommend this book. Save yourself the time and money and just get this info online (for free).

[Maureen Schlosser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the graphics! This gorgeous book clearly defines and explains the new standards. The tables are easy to follow. I also appreciate the guides to create assessments. I can only imagine the work that went into writing, editing, illustrating and publishing this book. Really great work!

[Wendy Post · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every librarian needs to know the standards. This is the most exhaustive compilation yet that not only guides the librarian but empowers her/him too.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much in here to digest!! But I’m finished with grad school and have consulted and read much of this book over the last 2.5 years so I’m ready to call it read!