Lisle School District Library Programs Featured at Metropolitan Library System Workshop
Workshop Highlights Excellence in Cooperation between Public and School Libraries
Lisle School District #202 was one of three school districts featured at a workshop on December 4, 2009 sponsored by the Metropolitan Library System as a working model of continued excellence in collaboration. Tate Woods librarian, Judith Bauman represented District 202 libraries and Lindsey Dorfman represented the Lisle Public Library. There is strong evidence that continued collaboration between school and public libraries enhances student learning and achievement. “Test scores tend to be higher where there is a cooperative relationship between the LRC and the public library” (Information Empowered by Keith Curry Lance – RSL Research Group) Recent testing in District 202 provided some tangible evidence of success as it was revealed that reading scores of Lisle District #202 third graders ranked in the top five in DuPage County.
Increasing collaboration between District 202 libraries and the Lisle Public Library was one of the goals set by the district LRC Directors during their professional learning community meetings as they worked on the yearly application for the School Library Grant Program. This program provides funding for quality library services, books, and materials to support student learning. Applying school districts must show progress toward meeting the Illinois school library standards adopted by the Illinois School Library Media Association as detailed in the publication, Linking for Learning: The Illinois School Library Media Program Guidelines.
The LRC directors set goals outlined in the "Learning and Teaching" component of Linking for Learning dealing with community partnerships. They invited the youth services director from the Lisle Public Library to join them in creating action plans to achieve an enhanced level of collaboration. New programs included public library support for the summer school program, developing a workshop at the Lisle Public Library for the teaching staff, and promoting public library programs at the junior high and high school during lunch hours and conference times.
A PowerPoint presentation highlighting the work done by the LRC directors for the School Library Grant Program was given to the District 202 board members at the December 7 board meeting. Lisle Public Library Youth Services Director, Lindsey Dorfman was introduced to the Board. LRC Directors in Lisle District 202 include: Judy Bauman, Tate Woods; Sue Jakalski, Schiesher; Rich Marx, Lisle Junior High; and Laura Conroy, Lisle Senior High.
