School Librarianship: Past, Present, and Future by Susan W. Alman
Review by Carmaine Ternes
School Librarianship: Past, Present, and Future is a tribute to Dr. Blanche Woolls, a leader of school libraries and media specialists around the world. Her contributions include The School Library Manager among additional publications have connected librarians globally. Her work pioneered dynamic shifts in today’s library learning landscape. Due to her experiences, Woolls’ vision has positively impacted school library media training, research, and publishing for new and seasoned librarians. The authors express appreciation for Blanche’s personal and professional trailblazing encouragement.
Focused on previous and present situations, this book recognizes information professionals who chronicled issues in “education, scholarship, organizations, and the innovators of practitioners.” Arranged in three main sections, this book provides the history of children’s literature and school libraries, professional development trends, and potential future interactions with students and teachers. In this collection of essays, respected librarians highlight historical and current regional and global issues.
From the Committees on Post-War Planning to School Library Standards, school library centers have significantly evolved in response to the diversified needs of the community. From a Nation at Risk to the Every Student Succeeds Act, the confluence of school library support demonstrates the need for and value of professionally trained certified librarians and properly funded school libraries. This forward-thinking transformation includes instruction, service, collaboration, and activities beyond the focus of reading, reference, and research.
Examples of integrating digital literacy skills, inquiry based learning, reflective questioning, scaffolding, and constructing meaning provide empowering strategies. Cases of generating interest and perpetuating advocacy are featured. Learn how to transform information and knowledge into understanding. With traditional and digital tools, acquire an ability to investigate, evaluate, and express creative and strategic thinking.
When librarians collaborate, worldwide conversations provide numerous opportunities to engage in meaningful partnerships gleaning from interesting perspectives. This informative publication provides a respectable overview of numerous school library issues including developments in information, technology, innovation, and mindfulness. A crosswalk establishing partnerships offers an unprecedented opportunity uniting curricular areas and pedagogy coalescing students, educators, and administrators.
Thought provoking tactics include “dealing with disruption” for desired results staying focused effectively, promoting the dynamics of successful future school libraries, effective decision-making frameworks, proven models of inquiry, and innovative leadership. Any person who has stepped foot in any library will appreciate this authoritative material and be encouraged to advocate for school libraries. Dr. E. Blanche Woolls has gained respect from educators, librarians, and students on a global scale and has been praised for her “concerted effort” fostering leading-edge learning opportunities.
The International Library and Information Studies Honor Society, Beta Phi Mu, teamed with Rowman and Littlefield Publishing to launch the Beta Phi Mu Scholars Series. School Librarianship: Past, Present, and Future was recognized due to its “creative, innovative, and well-articulated work…that people can reflect upon, discuss, and put into action.” Readers will be inspired and impressed by the accomplished contributors and a plethora of respectable references.
Respectfully submitted,
Carmaine Ternes
Librarian, Researcher, Writer, Presenter
November 2017
Carmaine Ternes is a retired high school librarian and member of the Emporia State University planning committee for the Kansas Summer Institute for School Librarians. She also serves as an AASL Learning4Life state coordinator and is the current Vice-President of the Beta Epsilon Chapter of Beta Phi Mu.
SLIM Beta Epsilon 