Abstract

This book takes a strategic approach to the leadership of school libraries and will inspire and enable school librarians to think creatively about their work and the community in which they operate. The Innovative School Librarian raises important questions about the functions of the school librarian and sets out to encourage the reader to re-examine their own professional values, assumptions and practices. This has led to the inclusion of a new chapter on using evidence, a large number of new vignettes to illustrate responses to challenges as well as a significant re-structuring of other chapters. Written by current leaders in the field, each chapter addresses the practical issues facing school librarians. This new edition has been fully updated In the light of curriculum revisions, resource changes, developments in the use and integration of technology and new routes into the profession. Key topics covered include: • the librarian's philosophy and professional identity • bridging the gap between different visions for the school library • identifying and understanding our community • making a positive response to change • keeping inspired and inspiring others • integrating the library into teaching and learning. This is an essential, thought-provoking book for all school librarians, practitioners in schools library services, and students of librarianship. It has plenty to interest school leadership, headteachers, educational thinkers, public library managers and local government officers.
For me the book really made me question what I do and how I do it when over time it can be easy to become complacent. It was also great to find an index with the book to allow quick reference back to key ideas at a later date. I'd thoroughly recommend this book as a great read for school librarians to reflect on their practices.

Mandy Wilson
The School Librarian
This book takes a strategic approach to the leadership of school libraries and will inspire and enable school librarians to think creatively about their work and the community in which they operate. The Innovative School Librarian raises important questions about the functions of the school librarian and sets out to encourage the reader to re-examine their own professional values, assumptions and practices. This has led to the inclusion of a new chapter on using evidence, a large number of new vignettes to illustrate responses to challenges as well as a significant re-structuring of other chapters.
Written by current leaders in the field, each chapter addresses the practical issues facing school librarians. This new edition has been fully updated In the light of curriculum revisions, resource changes, developments in the use and integration of technology and new routes into the profession.
Key topics covered include:

• the librarian's philosophy and professional identity
• bridging the gap between different visions for the school library
• identifying and understanding our community
• making a positive response to change
• keeping inspired and inspiring others 
• integrating the library into teaching and learning.

This is an essential, thought-provoking book for all school librarians, practitioners in schools library services, and students of librarianship. It has plenty to interest school leadership, headteachers, educational thinkers, public library managers and local government officers.
“The format of this second edition is apparently similar to that of the first (2009), with the regular use of short scenarios or ‘vignettes’. The first of these heads the preface, and others are then used frequently within each chapter to illustrate new subjects. This approach is designed to increase the readability of the text (in which it succeeds) while aiming to offer examples of ‘real-life’ everyday situations for those managing libraries in secondary schools. The contributors note that the vignettes are drawn from comments and queries on the popular School Librarian Network, and this gives them a ring of authenticity.”
Ariadne
Sharon Markless (the editor) is Senior Lecture in Higher Education within King's Learning Institute where she draws on many years of experience in both teaching and research. She initially taught in secondary schools and further education before moving into H.E. in 1990 as a Senior Lecturer in Professional Development at Canterbury Christ Church University College. Elizabeth Bentley is Librarian and Learning Resource Centre Manager at Addey and Stanhope School.  Sarah Pavey is an Independent Consultant and Trainer for school libraries. Visit her website at www.sp4il.co.uk. Sally Todd is School Archivist at St John’s School. Sue Shaper is Director of Library Resources at The Broxbourne School. Dr Carol Webb is Head Librarian at Portsmouth Grammar School.