Climate/Environment Credential- Highly Effective Schools Through Libraries

PLEASE CONTACT TAMMY LANGEBERG AT langeberg_t@cde.state.co.us WITH QUESTIONS.

Program Standard 4 - CLIMATE/ENVIRONMENT
The library is an irresistible learning space that is adaptable at point of need. Learners and community members are able to easily use the space for a wide variety of activities and learning. Materials are easy to access by many different types of learners. The community views the teacher librarian and/or library staff as warm, welcoming, and trusting professionals. Students feel their voice is valued by the teacher librarian and/or library staff.

TO EARN THE CREDENTIAL, SELECT 2 TO 3 ENVIRONMENT COMPONENTS (see below for the 3 components):

Component A: Flexibility/Adaptability
The library space has movable furniture and bookshelves so that the space can easily be rearranged for many different types of learning opportunities (collaborative, social, quiet, creativity, manipulatives, technology, etc). The teacher librarian and/or library staff also work with administration for funding opportunities to ensure the furniture can be easily rearranged as needed for differing learning opportunities. The teacher librarian and/or library staff collaborate with the administration and school community to ensure the library space is available at point of need.

Component B: Appealing
The library is a space that is irresistible and fosters curiosity and wonderment. The decor, furniture, and materials set a warm and inviting tone. Additional criteria that indicates an appealing space:

A majority of shelves have ample ‘breathing room’ and are not overly crowded
Out-facing displays and display areas
Comfortable seating
Natural light, when possible
Friendly checkout point and/or or self-checkout station(s)

Students, staff, and community members describe the library as a thriving and essential place in which they enjoy learning in multiple ways.

Component C: Safe and Welcoming Space
The library space is one that students and staff feel safe and welcomed in. The library staff and/or teacher librarian communicate space expectations in a positive way as opposed to a punitive/negative way. Library signage is easy to understand and follow by all who use the space. The library space ensures that users enjoy comfortable, ergonomic furniture, materials, and technology access that accommodate all users. The teacher librarian/library staff honor student voice in library space decision making.

1. Please complete the following questions. *This question is required.

What is your name?

Please provide your email.

Please provide a phone number for follow up information, if necessary.

Please provide your school and district name.

Please provide your school's address including city and zip code.

What is your position title?

What is your supervisor/administrator's name and title?

Please provide your supervisor/administrator's email address.

2. Please visit the Highly Effective Schools Through Libraries Guiding Document to help you provide effective evidence of library climate/environment.

We encourage you to have a collegial discussion with your administrator about the 3 components included in this application. The below questions and evidence look-fors may be helpful in this discussion.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

How is the teacher librarian and/or library space available for staff and students at point of need?
How does the teacher librarian use the space to provide collaborative opportunities as well as opportunities for students/staff to pursue independent inquiry?
How is this library space irresistible for its users?

EVIDENCE LOOK-FORS
We will award the credential based on the criteria below.

Evidence of easy access to teacher librarian and/or library support staff
Evidence that teacher librarian and/or support staff provides guidance with respect and encourages interests and POV of students
Evidence that community (students, staff, and families) have input in library design and space
Evidence that students feel welcomed and desire to be in the library
Evidence that library is flexibly designed to meet a wide variety of needs

In order to be eligible for the environment credential, the Teacher Librarian must provide at least two quality artifacts that demonstrate a warm, inviting, and flexible use of the library space.

(A) Student/Staff Perception Survey
(B) Video clip of library (includes a library/Teacher Librarian in action!) with narration or reflective notes.
(C) Non-librarian testimonials from staff, students, parents, community, etc.
(D) Narrative that includes description of how library space is flexible and inviting for community

The applicant will provide sufficient evidence of how he/she is credential in this standard.

*Be sure the teacher librarian's name is on the documents.
**Please note: All documents should be edited to remove students' personal identifying information (PII).
***If you achieve the credential, your evidence may be used as an example with future applicants. If using photos and/or videos with student participants be sure to follow your district's permissions and policies.

Allowable document formats are png,gif,jpg,jpeg,doc,xls,docx,xlsx,pdf,txt,mov,mp3,mp4. There is limited file sizes. If your video or file does not download, please contact Tammy Langeberg at langeberg_t@cde.state.co.us to use a different format. *This question is required.

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3. INPUT FROM SUPERVISOR/ADMINISTRATOR

To help us understand why you are recommending your teacher librarian and/or library staff, we want to give you the opportunity to share why they are worthy of this credential. Use a narrative format to share detailed information with examples of their effectiveness and upload the document here. If you need some guidance and would rather complete a form, click here. If you use this form, upload a Word document with a note saying you completed the form.

Tammy Langeberg may contact you or your teacher librarian/library staff to collect more evidence or with questions about the information you provided.

Allowable document formats are png,gif,jpg,jpeg,doc,xls,docx,xlsx,pdf,txt,mov,mp3,mp4 and no larger than 500K per document. If you are unable to download your documents, contact Tammy Langeberg at langeberg_t@cde.state.co.us to try a different way to share. *This question is required.

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4. Supervisor/Administrator
By signing this form, you are verifying that information you entered is correct, factual, and provided by you. The credential that is awarded to your Teacher Librarian requires your recommendation and professionalism. Thank you for your submission. *This question is required.

Clear

Signature of

5. Teacher Librarian/Library Staff
By signing this form, you are verifying that information you entered is correct, factual, and provided by you. Thank you for your submission. *This question is required.

Clear

Signature of