Student Success and Library Media Programs: A Systems Approach to Research and Best Practice

Student success comprises a complex system of expectations and measurements. Designed for school library media specialists, this book focuses on library media programs and examines the factors that influence student achievement. Through a presentation of research trends and actual practice, award-winning author Lesley Farmer demonstrates how media specialists can encourage student achievement by creating an environment conducive to learning. Farmer takes a systems approach, illuminating how each stakeholder in a student’s education contributes to and impacts student achievement.

Chapters include:

What Defines Student Achievement?

Research in the School Library World

Internal Factors: The School Library Media Program

School Factors Towards Student Achievement

Student Factors Towards Student Achievement

Societal Factors Towards Student Achievement

Focus on Reading: Who’s a Good Reader?

Next Steps

In addition to research findings about library programming, Farmer examines collection resources, facilities, staffing, curricula, instruction, reading issues, services, products, and administration. Key research studies are cited throughout the work to optimize referral to relevant information. This is an invaluable guide for school library media specialists, as well as for faculty and students in LIS and education programs.