Dividing large high schools into smaller schools is an important educational reform with major implications for library programs. Small schools provide an improved learning environment that results in increased academic achievement, lowered dropout rates, and improved parent, teacher and student satisfaction with schooling. The small schools approach has the support of the United States Congress, the Department of Education, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Changing the size and nature of high schools also requires a change in the library program of those schools.
Little attention has been given to the needs of small schools in terms of library and information services, systems, and resources, the role of teacher-librarians, or how to deploy library and information infrastructure effectively and efficiently. This proposed project will determine:
- the information and library needs of students and teachers in small schools and
- the most effective and efficient ways to realign the library program (functions, governance, staffing, budget, systems, physical space, collections, and direct impact on teaching and learning) to meet the learning and teaching needs of small schools.
Dr. Michael Eisenberg's expertise is in area of information and
technology literacy, information management in learning and teaching,
and school library and information programs, K-12. Dr. Eisenberg is the
Dean of the UW's iSchool.
Dr. Matt Saxton received his doctoral degree in library and information science from UCLA. He teaches
in the UW's iSchool in the areas of reference and information services, collection management,
information literacy, and teaching methods.
Eric Meyers is a doctoral student at the UW's Information School. Professionaly,
Eric worked as teacher, school librarian, and educational technologist in metropolitan Detroit. He
holds degrees from the University of Michigan (BA, MSI) and Stanford
University (MA).
Lisa Nathan is a doctoral student at the UW's Information School. Professionally she has worked as
a librarian, English teacher, and sailboat captain. She holds degrees from Eckerd College (BA)
and Simmons College (MLIS).
Doug Eriksen is a masters student at the UW's iSchool.
Professionally he has worked, in the US and abroad, as a school librarian at the elementary
and middle school levels. He holds degrees from the University of
Oregon (BA, BS, MEd).
Dr. Bryce Nelson is University Librarian at Seattle Pacific University.
He previously led the Seattle Public School libraries and was a Researcher
in the UW Information School. Dr. Nelson holds degrees from the
University of Washington (BA, Ph.D.) and Northwestern University
(M.A.T.)