By Carol Koechlin & Anita Brooks Kirkland
In this issue we invite all those interested in advancing the work of school libraries in Canada to participate in the next Treasure Mountain Canada, TMC7 Many Ways to Participate.
We take this opportunity to encourage the contribution of research papers. We know that after two years of the pandemic school library programs have been challenged in many ways. Many are not yet back to full operation. However we have observed that through all the restrictions and shut downs, school library professionals have been amazingly resilient and creative. The determination to provide the best possible supports for students and teachers during this crisis led to our theme for TMC7, Post-Pandemic Library Learning Commons: From Crisis to Intervention.
We ask you to consider the interventions you developed during the pandemic to enable you to reach your school library community. Are there some innovative practices that you hope to continue and build on?
No doubt the shut downs and restrictions limited your ability to build research skills and processes with students. What interventions could help fill the gaps in their skill development?
Many Kindergarten and primary students were not able to experience the richness of library programs and facilities normally available. Has this void affected their ability to engage with physical books?
Many of you invested creative energies into building virtual library learning commons spaces during shutdowns. How have your efforts been received by students and teachers and parents and caregivers? How can you build on virtual interventions to provide 24/7 support and stimulation for your school community?
Physical and mental wellness is first and foremost on our minds after all we have been through. How can the school library learning commons contribute to wellness for both staff and students?
Perhaps you have been inspired by a recent article in CSL Journal such as Barbara Stripling’s article, Teaching Deep Reading Skills During Inquiry and you would like to try out some of her suggested interventions, track evidence of student growth and share your findings.
Or have you been meaning to take a deeper look at CSL’s new Collection Diversity Toolkit. How can you apply Developing Collections Through an Equity Lens to your practice and actions?
Whatever the focus of your research quest the rewards are always high. Although we have volumes of research on the impact of school libraries in national and international studies, nothing is as powerful at the school and district level than ‘home grown’ research that is relevant to local school goals.
CSL is here to help you with your research!
One positive aspect of these past two years is that we are all vastly more aware of evidence-based practice. As scientists learned more about the virus, the response changed. As new approaches were implemented, scientists gathered as much evidence as possible to assess the impact, and adjusted approaches and recommendations appropriately. This exactly mirrors the action research approach to educational research.
The CSL Research Toolkit introduces you to this approach to research. It helps you understand important aspects of the research process, and gives practical tips for how to document, analyze, and share what you learn. The toolkit was created specifically to assist TMC participants, so please do take a look!
Watch out too for upcoming webinars offered by CSL, where you can talk to previous TMC contributors and discuss ideas for your research.
Right now we have over ten years worth of national home grown research in the CSL Research Archive all generated from treasure mountain symposiums. Add your voice to this valuable resource and help shape the future of school libraries in Canada.