The School and Public Library Connection

Summer's winding down and school may already have started in your neck of the woods. A recent School Library Journal article by David Blattner on August 23, 2016, discussed the five guidelines quoted below that school media specialists should follow in connecting with the school principal:

• Be ready
• Be solution-oriented
• Be connected
• Be succinct
• Be student-centered

These guidelines are equally effective for public librarians who want to connect with teachers, principals, or school media specialists.

Other insights into building school-public library connections can be found at these links:

WiLibraries for Everyone: "Public Library and Public School Connections" This 2015 post covers the interactive Department of Public Instruction resource Public Library andSchool District Service Factors Map, the WISEdash portal, and links for the supporting videos and webinar recording from the Division for Libraries and Technology.

The book Library Partnerships: Making Connections Between School and Public Libraries by Tasha Squires looks at areas and strategies for effective partnerships to the benefit of the community as a whole.

Finally, this 2014 brochure from Millis Public Library (MA) and Millis Middle/High School Library covers ways to begin and enhance communication, connection and collaboration.