The Alliance for Excellent Education (All4Ed) published the report “Leading In and Beyond the Library,” this past January, showing the importance of school and public libraries in both state and district-wide efforts toward digital learning and the effective use of technology in teaching.
“There is a critical role for both school and community librarians in the transition to digital,” says Sara Hall, director of the Center for Digital Learning at the Alliance for Excellent Education based out of Washington, D.C. “Whether they’re librarians or media specialists, they’re often becoming instructional coaches leading the transition.”
Digital materials from e-books to online databases—and tools from tablets to 3-D printers—have quickly found their way into school libraries, classrooms, and public library branches as well. Having a core leader who can help stitch these tools into an educational experience can make the difference between merely a fun moment—and one that incorporates learning.
