Good books for school librarians aren’t hard to find. The real problem is narrowing down the list to those that you absolutely must read. Whether your interest lies in technology, dealing with your budget or just remembering why you became a librarian in the first place, the five books below will be perfect fits for you.
1. Stop Plagiarism
As more librarians take on roles as gatekeepers of technology, the process of stopping plagiarism falls on their shoulders. Whether you are in charge of watching over library computers or you take part in making sure that students don’t misuse the information available, this is a great book. While there are definitely limits to what a librarian can do, there’s certainly a great deal that can be learned from this book. Look at this as one of the very necessary books for librarians and a great book for any language teacher. Don’t skip this one, even if you don’t work with computers.
2. Read It Forward
A perfect read for those in low-income districts, this book helps librarians to realize their importance in putting together strong, effective reading programs. While much of the utility of this book relies on having a friendly administration, it is a great example of what can happen when librarians are willing to work with their communities. If you have any desire to get a reading program up and running, you should not skip this book. The information within holds a good chance of changing your school and the way you look at your job.
3. The Creative Imperative: School Librarians and Teachers Cultivating Curiosity Together
If you’re a librarian with an interest in fostering student creativity or fostering better relationships with teachers, this is a great book. While by no means the only source of information on the subject, it’s written quite well and is an easy read. It’s often difficult for librarians to coordinate with teachers on projects of this nature, but the book does offer some very real guidance. It unfortunately doesn’t deal with the reality of academics in some settings, but it’s nonetheless a good guide for how things should be done. Definitely something worth reading over the summer as you prepare for a new year.
4. School Libraries Matter: Views from the Research
Recommended by the School Library Journal, this book is a must-read for any librarian who finds himself or herself wondering about the importance of his or her work. A good book to read even if you aren’t facing budget cuts, it’s a fantastic set of reminders about how school libraries change the schools and communities that revolve around them.
5. eBooked!: Integrating Free Online Book Sites into Your Library Collection
As the budgets for school libraries drop, eBooks have become a very popular alternative. If your schools uses these books – or is thinking about using them – you should definitely give this guide a look. A good primer for those who aren’t familiar with eBooks, it’s also a great choice for schools that have a strong technology program. Like some of the other great books for school librarians, this book definitely helps to push the boundaries of the librarian’s traditional responsibilities. If you have any say in your school’s catalog, this is a book that you must read.
Related Resource: 5 Great Websites for School Librarians
These five books definitely help to prove that a librarian’s job is much broader than anyone thinks. No matter where you are in your career, you can find something to use here. Good books for librarians don’t just educate – they prove librarians have a major role to play in schools.
