School librarians have a critical role to play in supporting the use of Ed Tech within our schools. It is an ever-changing field. Additionally, it is often the school librarian who has the unique responsibility of introducing and sharing new technology with their school community. However, school librarians also have the added responsibility of…

In an era where digital and media literacy is as fundamental as reading, writing, and arithmetic, the role of school librarians transcends traditional boundaries. They are the perfect teachers to nurture digital citizenship among learners, an increasingly vital role. This article delves into how these unsung heroes and digital leaders use their…

Digital citizenship should be an embedded component of all curriculum. In order to teach students to be empowered digital citizens, school librarians must use their libraries as safe spaces to explore the layers of digital citizenship. Through classroom discussions, online learning, and unplugged activities, learners can engage with aspects of…

Digital citizenship is defined as the responsible and appropriate behavior in technology and online use. This behavior can also include digital or online etiquette, ethics, and security. With online bullying and cyber safety a continuous concern, teaching students to be responsible and aware digital citizens is imperative (Phillips and Lee 2019).…

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network's (GLSEN) research has demonstrated that LGBTQ students who attend schools with instruction that is inclusive of LGBTQ people, history, and events experience a better school climate and improved academic outcomes. We also know from the experiences of students, educators and advocates (as well as what…

With the nationwide school closures caused by the coronavirus pandemic, districts are seeking more technology support to connect every student online and continue teaching and learning with the help of digital devices. This data brief provides school leaders with a national picture of the E-rate program, which can help schools to decrease by as…

Librarianship is an ever-changing journey that follows the evolution of media literacy. Currently, students live in an Internet world where politicians scream "Fake news!" at reports they don't like; foreign governments create actual fake news; and journalism seamlessly blends the genres of reporting and commenting. Students must learn…

The American Association of School Librarians and its members have always been champions of intellectual freedom. It is a core value of school librarians and has been--and remains--an integral part of AASL's culture. Intellectual freedom is deeply embedded in AASL's standards, position statements, member-focused publications, conferences, award…

Focusing on evidence-based practice (EBP) aligns with the school librarian's leadership role acknowledged by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) in "Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Programs" (2009) and in AASL's newly adopted mission statement. "The American Association of School Librarians…

Nothing is more fulfilling than a school library full of students hungry to learn--especially when they have all the tools and resources they need and, more importantly, a school librarian ready to help them gain the knowledge and understanding they need to apply technology to become fully digitally literate citizens. Therefore, it was very…

In comments submitted April 7, 2014, the Alliance for Excellent Education called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to modernize the federal E-rate program in order to lay the foundation for expanding the program through increased funding. These comments are in response to an E-rate Public Notice issued by the FCC on March 6, 2014…

In this article, the author states that school librarians can contribute to an atmosphere that supports intellectual freedom by drawing attention to the subtle messages about community values--messages that are communicated by virtue of what is included or excluded from curricular and co-curricular offerings. The author address issues with…

Courts have held that minors have First Amendment rights and that those rights include the right to receive information. However, how does that apply in the school setting? The First Amendment prohibits governmental entities from unconstitutionally infringing rights of free speech. Students in public schools, therefore, do have rights under the…

The purpose of "Choose Privacy Week" is to encourage a national conversation to raise awareness of the growing threats to personal privacy online and in day-to-day life. The 2016 Choose Privacy Week theme is "respecting individuals' privacy," with an emphasis on minors' privacy. A plethora of issues relating to minors' privacy…

Demands for the Internet in administrative, instructional, and learning tasks in schools are rising. Because adequate bandwidth in schools supports the home-school learning continuum, links to civic and governmental organizations, and situations in which home connectivity is scarce, reconsiderations in investments in connectivity supply and…