By: J.D. Ross
(315) 443-3094
Ruth V. Small, Professor at the School of Information Studies (iSchool), attended the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) research summit in Chicago this past weekend.
Focused on setting an agenda for future school library research, the summit brought school library and educational researchers together to help in creating a national focus and agenda on causal research and to provide empirical evidence that school libraries make positive contributions to student achievement.
John Brock, a 2003 graduate of the iSchool’s masters program in library and information studies – school media, and who currently works at the New York State Department of Education, served as a member of the panel that led the proceedings.
“He spoke eloquently about the various topics presented, and provided thoughtful reactions,” said Small. “He also discussed and demonstrated a splendid command of ways in which New York state data might be available for various research studies.”
“Whatever research ultimately results from our deliberations,” Small continued, “I think that the summit was an important first step in the development of a cohesive, 21st century research agenda that motivates scholars to plan and conduct studies that contribute to our knowledge that school libraries are essential components of any quality educational program.”
The AASL is a division of the American Library Association (ALA), and promotes the improvement and extension of library services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program.