SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA CENTERS AND THE EXCEPTIONAL LEARNERJulie M. EsanuEDIS 500April 16, 2009

School Library Media Center

Instructional Program Collection Development Facility

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Instructional Program

Cornerstone of the library media center

Standards-based library curriculum

Information literacy—the ability to find, use, and analyze information resources

Collaborative process

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/guidelinesandstandards/learningstandards/standards.cfm

Collection Development

Offers a variety of print and digital resources

Supports curriculum goals and classroom needs

Scaffolds students’ learning styles and interests

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Facility

Largest classroom in the school

Provides access to information and resources

Environment that is conducive to learning

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School Library Media Specialists

Instructional Partner

Teacher Information

Specialist Program

Administrator

Source: AASL, 1998

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Collaboration

Between school library media specialists, classroom teachers, and special education teachers

Requires flexibility Breaks down barriers to intellectual and

physical resources

Accommodations: Instructional Program Differentiate library lessons Integrate a variety of media into lessons Provide graphic organizers and other

visual aids Ensure that lessons are organized and

“unambiguous” (Guild) Divide lessons into “meaningful chunks”

(Hallahan et (Hallahan et al) Support students as necessary

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Accommodations: Collection Development

Include different types of resources in a variety of media (e.g., large print books, graphic novels, audio books, DVDs and videos, digital materials)

Identify the resources with well marked and easy to read signage

Ensure that disabilities are reflected in the collection with both fiction and non-fiction resources

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Accommodations: Facility

Remove physical barriers Ensure that layout and design accounts

for orientation and mobility needs Divide library into distinct learning areas

to minimize distractions Create quiet work areas

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Accommodations: Assistive Technology

Pencil grips Graphic organizers Slanted worktops Study carrel Magnifying bars/screens Highlighters Picture dictionaries Large print books Handouts with high

contrast print

Tape recorders Audio books Talking word processors Voice recognition software Closed-caption television StickyKeys/FilterKeys SoundSentry Alternative keyboards

Adaptive (no/low-tech) Alternative (mid/high-tech)

Sources: Wojahn, 2006; Gavigan/Kurtts, 2009

Integrated Library Programming Create displays about disabilities Integrate disabilities into booktalks and

storytimes Invite authors that deal with exceptional

learners Organize book groups for students with

special needs Host library information nights for

families

Additional Supports

Provide assistive technology training Allow use of the library for vocational

training Take advantage of professional

development opportunities Identify grant and funding opportunities Share information with colleagues about

the collection and new materials

Resources

IFLA Access to Libraries for Persons with Disabilities Checklist: http://www.ifla.org/VII/s9/nd1/iflapr-89e.pdf

Center for Applied Special Technology’s Universal Design for Learning: http://www.cast.org/research/udl

National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS): http://www.loc.gov/nls/

References American Association of School Librarians (AASL)/Association for

Educational Communications and Technology (AECT).  (1998). Information power: Building partnerships for learning. Chicago: American Library Association.

American Association of School Librarians (AASL). (2007). Standards for the 21st-century learner. Chicago: American Library Association.

Downing, J.  (2006).  Media centers and special education:  Introduction to the special issue.  Intervention in School and Clinic 42(2), pp. 67-77.

Guild, S. (2008).  LD Accommodations in the school library: Not just for the specialized school anymore. Knowledge Quest 37(1), pp. 24-29.

Hallahan, D., Kauffman, J. & Pullen, P.  (2009).  Exceptional learners:  An introduction to special education (11th ed.),  Boston: Pearson.

Hopkins, J. (2005).  Extending inclusive learning:  Library and special education collaboration.  Library Media Connection 23(6), pp. 17-19.

Gavigan, K., & Kurtts, S.  (2009). AT, UD, and thee: Using assistive technology and universal design for learning in 21st Century media centers. Library Media Connection 27(4) pp. 54-56.

Wojahn, R. (2006). Everyone's Invited: Ways to make your library more welcoming to children with special needs. School Library Journal 52(2), pp. 46-88.