How do school library resources support curriculum and academic success?

School library resources are assets that support the academic curriculum and cultivate student success. These resources encompass a diverse array of materials including books, journals, databases, and multimedia offerings that cater to various subjects and learning styles. Not only do they provide access to the latest information from multiple perspectives, but they also empower students to become skilled researchers. Librarians play a pivotal role in teaching students how to effectively locate, evaluate, and utilize information from both digital and print sources. This instruction in information literacy equips students with the critical thinking abilities to excel in research projects, essays, and assignments across the curriculum

In some places, there are debates about whether librarians are "faculty" or merely "academic support." Unfortunately, this debate often happens even in universities, where "real" faculty teach and research, while librarians are considered subordinate. Regardless of their job assignment, librarians are educators, teachers, and research assistants. Frequently, they teach the teacher how to find sources. Sometimes, they even assist other educators with proper citation format. Whether helping patrons, students, faculty, or peers, librarians guide people to helpful and authoritative sources, instruct on best research practices, and empower those who come to them with the skills they'll benefit from to strengthen their information literacy.

School libraries (at all levels) and public libraries continue to maintain "quiet and structured" space for solitary reflection and studying. This will not change. However, in many libraries, library teams have remodeled areas of their space to create collaborative group study environments where people can interact, discuss, and prepare for their assignments. This corresponds with the trajectory of in-class, blended, and on-line learning models that encourage students to work together to solve larger problems. Different rules and noise levels may apply for different areas of the library. What matters is that librarians have kept up with best practices to offer all patrons a study environment that promotes academic achievement.

Years ago, technology in libraries meant using one of the 'dumb terminals' to look for books in the online catalog. By the late 1990s, this often became an area with computers (that often had waiting lists) to access the internet. Since wifi technology has become a part of nearly every library, there no longer is a need to wait in line to use a terminal. Today, students bring their laptops and other devices into the library and are able to connect easily. Getting students online access with excellent resources is only half of the battle. The other aspect that is equally important is to ensure that technological integration also includes student (and faculty, too!) support for the acquisition and strengthening of digital literacy skills.

Along with individual study spaces, most libraries today make providing access to areas for collaborative learning a high priority. Study rooms in academic libraries are always at a premium. Today, new, open-air collaborative workspaces have appeared in locations where print collections (usually journals and periodicals already available online) once resided. Presentation spaces with movable furniture allow for collaborative learning areas that could be used by many groups for study, as well as for one or two groups where students give presentations or practice their public speaking skills. Such areas may have a projection system and appropriate software (such as PowerPoint) for students to access while using these areas for projects.

Any faculty committee or academic department that ignores librarians does so at their own peril. Librarians can assist classroom faculty by explaining current resources available, soliciting their suggestions, and explaining ways that the library can support their instructional efforts. In public libraries, library staff often acquire books used by students and lifelong learners in the community. School librarians and media specialists can recommend resources to the teachers. Academic librarians benefit from working with library liaisons that are familiar with their area of the curriculum and resources that are available. Librarians are like keystones in the educational process. They work with forces on all sides and support everyone.