book: "The principal's guide to a powerful library media program"

The principal's guide to a powerful library media program

by Marla W. McGhee and Barbara A. Jansen

Linworth Books, 2004

count: 139 pages

I am tremendously impressed with this book: I finished it during Spring Break, as I was on my way to interview for a Library Director position -- with an administrator who is asking the right questions about improving his library. 

The book gave clear expression to some of my deepest thoughts and opinions: such as the upfront straight-forward acknowledgment that "The problem is that it is not always the case that school administrators do [understand the actual and potential impact of the library ... in the teaching-learning process]" (p. xvii) Fortunately the authors proceed to clearly and effectively manage to succinctly and effectively present what principals OUGHT to know.

The book lays out the role of the principal or school administrator in implementing and supporting a strong library program. And the authors acknowledge that principals often impede learning on their campus by their ignorance.

The authors also clearly delineate the priorities and responsibilities of the library and the librarian. I particularly appreciate the graphic of the spectrum for more or less time to be spent on specified responsibilities.

I thought this a great book -- one I immediately wanted to purchase, highlight, and give to my administrator friend. 

Until I saw the list price for this paper back from Linworth. Ouch.