Further Reading

Blumgarten, Jerry. Cybrary Man's Educational Web Sites https://cybraryman.com/studenttechhelp.html.

Best practices, practical resources, and leaders in the field to follow are highlighted on ththis resource page.

Techman, Melissa"Beyond Junior Shelvers: Involving Students in Creative Library Work." School Library Connection, February 2016. http://slc.librariesunlimited.com/Home/Display/1999050

Student involvement can and will look differently from program to program. With a focus on the needs of each community, librarians need to lead the way and empower students to contribute in a way that aligns with the vision of the school and its library.

Gardner, Laura. "How to Run a Library Volunteer Program that Students Love." School Library Journal May 22, 2015. http://www.slj.com/2015/05/students/how-to-run-a-library-volunteer-program-that-students-love/#_.

If you build it, they MIGHT come, but they might head elsewhere. Running a student leadership program? Make sure it is designed to work for the library/librarian AND appeal to many students. This article will provide ideas on how to develop a volunteer program that students want to join.

"Toolkit for Promoting School Library Programs." American Association of School Librarians. http://www.ala.org/aasl/advocacy/tools/toolkits/promoting/success.

Any effective library program requires leadership. Read exemplars of students' leadership to get inspired by leaders in the field in the areas of technology, literature, student work programs, and collaboration.

Kalina, Lauren. "Genius Bar Opens in Library." Eagan Independent, February 9, 2015. http://www.eaganindependent.com/news/2015/02/09/genius-bar-opens-in-library/.

Genius bars are prevalent in technology and computer stores. This library has adapted the concept to make it work for the entire school community through the library.

Kowalski, Sue, Garrett Temple, Damian Mitchell, Trevor Nolan, Mary Louise Pontius, Garren Kuney, Dan Carlson, Sara Kavanagh, Jake Rosch, Abby Oliver, and Johnny Walentowski. "I Am, iStaff--A Glimpse into the Student Work Force Transforming a School Library." Teacher Librarian 40, no. 2 (December 2012).

The iStaff team at Pine Grove Library has transformed from a casual group of student helpers to a committed team of young leaders who are playing a critical role in the delivery of goods, services and programs throughout the school community.

DeBaun, Bill. "Library Media Specialist Sue Kowalski: How an IStaff Engages Students in Their Learning." High School Soup blog July 31, 2012. http://all4ed.org/library-media-specialist-sue-kowalski-how-an-istaff-engages-students-in-their-learning/.

All kids and teens deserve freedom and choice in their lives. Sometimes that we need to corral that freedom and choice into a structure that empowers them to turn their energy into an authentic learning experience through the library.

Kowalski, Sue. "Passenger or Crew? Who Do YOU Want in Charge?" Knowledge Quest 37, no. 5 (May-June 2009): 54-57.

There are lots of students who will do what they are told; they will follow directions and complete tasks as directed. There is a need, however, for more students to identify the problems, propose solutions, and do something about them. We need students who are empowered to take the lead and this article provides examples, strategies, and success stories.

Kowalski, Sue. "Pine Grove Middle School iStaff." eBulletin New York Library Association April 2013. https://www.nyla.org/max/4DCGI/cms/review.html?Action=CMS_Document&DocID=755&MenuKey=eBulletin.

To provide students with authentic opportunities to lead, they have to work in an environment that frees them up to share ideas, make proposals, and take action. At Pine Grove Middle School Library, students have demonstrated leadership in a variety of ways.

Kowalski, Sue. "Raising the Bar: Engaging Staff and Students in a Culture of Participation." Knowledge Quest 41, no. 1 (September-October 2012): 28-36. http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/aaslpubsandjournals/knowledgequest/docs/KNOW_41_1_RaisingtheBar.pdf.

Libraries are ripe with opportunities to connect students to authentic leadership experiences in and through the program. Finding ways to empower students to lead and contribute to the school community will be beneficial for all involved.

Kowalski, Sue. "Rethinking the Possibilities @ Your Library: Creating a Library without a Library Space." Knowledge Quest 42, no. 4 (March-April 2014): E18-22. http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/aaslpubsandjournals/knowledgequest/docs/KQ_MarApr_Rethinking.pdf.

Getting ready or in the middle of a renovation, move, or other alternative situation which puts "regular" library space on hold? This article addresses big concepts, ideas, and non-negotiables that need to be in place to offer key aspects of the library program.

Lankes, R. David. Expect More: Demanding Better Libraries for Today's Complex World. CreateSpace, 2012.

What are libraries expected to do? What can they do to exceed those expectations? Increased awareness of what libraries can and do for communities must result in librarians who are providing leadership to respond to the call for more, different, better, and relevant. Many concepts, including creating a culture of active members and student volunteers, are addressed in this book.

Scheffer, Jennifer. "Student-Run Genius Bar: The Facilitator." EdTex Hub ISTE, July 29, 2015. https://www.iste.org/explore/articleDetail?articleid=499&category=In-the-classroom&article=Student-run%2Bgenius%2Bbar%3A%2BThe%2Bfacilitator%E2%80%99s%2Bguide.

Specific guidelines and format are provided to give librarians the resources need to set up the infrastructure of a student work program.

Schwartz, Meredith. "Raising the Genius Bar | Design4Impact." Library Journal May 21, 2014. http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2014/05/opinion/design4impact/raising-the-genius-bar-design4impact/#_.

Equipping the library with human resources is as valuable as equipping it with technology and books. Explore how to staff your library with students who can provide a range of valuable support for their peers, staff, and the overall community.

Woodruff, Cathy. "Versatile Student 'iStaff' Helps School Hum." On Board Online New York State School Boards Association, January 23, 2012. http://www.nyssba.org/index.php?src=news&refno=2024&category=On+Board+Online+January+23+2012&print=y.

This article takes a look at some projects that students have taken on and the impact that leadership had.