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DESE Rubric

A well-managed school library program plays an essential role in a school. This rubric provides examples of school library practices that promote academic rigor, individual and collaborative learning, problem solving, and responsible use of resources that support student success. 

This resource document was developed by the school librarian evaluation task force of the Massachusetts School Library Association. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has reviewed the contents for consistency with the classroom teacher rubric. 

NEW! Licensed School Librarian SISP Evaluation Rubric

COMING SOON

Library services are essential to schools, and a well­-managed school library provides materials and services to give every student the opportunity to reach academic potential. The Massachusetts School Library Association task force developed this resource document to highlight the essential role the well-­managed school library program plays in a school. The resource provides examples of school library practices that promote academic rigor, individual and collaborative learning, problem solving, and responsible use of resources that support student success. 

  • This resource document describes practice that is common to school libraries in general. 
  • The task force acknowledges that the nature of the job varies according to school culture, funding and staffing levels, grade levels, and fixed vs. flexible school scheduling. 
  • The responsibilities of school librarians to whom this resource document may be applied will vary. 
  • Librarians and evaluators both should agree together on elements that have high priority in given environments. 

As a final note, it is worthwhile to emphasize that this resource document reflects the fact while teaching is one important role of school librarians, effective library programs rely on successful school librarian performance in multiple areas:

    • learning and teaching  
    • information access, including collection development 
    • program administration and library management 
    • technology leadership 
    • collaboration with school community 
    • support of school community 


Massachusetts School Library Association

PO Box 336   |   Wayland, MA   |   01778

508-276-1697

Emily Kristofek, Office Manager ekristofek@maschoolibraries.org

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