Teacher Librarian Consultation

Program Overview

Heartland AEA provides two categories of teacher librarian consultation:

Digital Resources, Instructional Materials & Information Literacy

We provide consulting and professional learning in the areas of:

• Digital resource integration in teaching and learning
• Heartland AEA library services and instructional materials
• Technology tools, digital citizenship and information literacy

Developing a Comprehensive Library Media Program

Heartland AEA is offering a new serving beginning in the fall of 2024. We will support districts as they develop a comprehensive library media program. Our teacher librarian consultation service is intended to be a bridge for a district that is searching for a qualified teacher librarian, executing a sharing agreement with another district or training an existing employee. This service is provided by licensed K-12 teacher librarians and is designed as a 2- to 3-year bridge while the district finds a long-term solution.

Areas of Support May Include*

• Serving as a certified teacher librarian per Iowa Code 218–12.3(12)
• Library program analysis and recommendations including creating/revising the library operations manual
• Providing teacher professional learning and initial student instruction focused on information literacy and the research process
• Providing teacher professional learning and initial student instruction focused on digital citizenship and digital literacy skills
• Advising library associates on collection management (analysis refining and updating physical and digital library resources
• Supporting the principal with decisions on best practices regarding library/media resources and services
• Helping design activities/events that promote the love of reading and literature appreciation
• Supporting the curation of materials and resources collaboratively with teachers around core curriculum or a particular unit of study

*Some services will be delivered remotely.

District Requirements

• Post an opening for a teacher librarian each year and/or identify a current employee to work towards a teacher librarian endorsement and/or work towards creating a sharing agreement with a neighboring district.
• Designate a library associate who is scheduled for the day-to-day operation of the school library (i.e., circulation duties, book check-in-check-our, shelving, etc.)
• Designate a budget for library materials (i.e., library books, ebooks, audiobooks, processing supplies, etc.)

Services Not Provided

• Circulation duties (book check-in/check-out, shelving)
• Book fair support
• Tech support
• Classroom coverage in the absence of substitutes
• Supervision such as study hall, lunch, playground
• Permanent teacher librarian service

Other Supports

There may be instances where the teacher librarian contract may be extended or amended for additional days or hours. Examples may include:

• Serving on a district materials reconsideration committee
• Consulting during the process of moving to a different circulation system
• Evaluating library materials and identifying materials to be removed from the collection to increase circulation and overall usage (not necessarily physical removal of books)
• Additional instruction on integrating digital resources in teaching and learning