Recommended Resources
International School Library Standards
IFLA School Library Guidelines 2nd revised edition (2015): The revised (June 2015) International Federation of Library Associations School Library Guidelines were developed with contributions from many school library experts worldwide and the executive board of the International Association of School Librarianship (IASL). They “have been developed to assist school library professionals and educational decision-makers in their efforts to ensure that all students and teachers have access to effective school library programs and services, delivered by qualified school library personnel”.
Schultz-Jones, B. & Oberg, D., eds. (2015). IFLA school library guidelines 2nd revised edition. Retrieved from https://www.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/assets/school-libraries-resource-centers/publications/ifla-school-library-guidelines.pdf
IFLA/UNESCO School Library Manifesto (1999): The UNESCO manifesto publicly declares the mission of the school library to enable all members of the school community to become critical thinkers and effective users of information in all formats and media. It declares the school library to be essential to every long-term strategy for literacy, education, information provision and economic, social and cultural development that must be supported by specific legislation and policies, and sustained funding.
International Federation of Library Associations and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (1999). IFLA/UNESCO school library manifesto. Retrieved from https://www.ifla.org/publications/ifla-unesco-school-library-manifesto-1999/
IFLA School Library Manifesto (2021): This update to the manifesto retains the emphasis on equity of access to school library programs, and connects the mission of the school library to UNESCO’s sustainability goals for inclusive and equitable quality education and safe learning environments.
International Federation of Library Associations (2021). IFLA school library manifesto. Retrieved from https://www.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/assets/school-libraries-resource-centers/publications/ifla_school_manifesto_2021.pdf.
Canadian Standards
Leading Learning: Standards of Practice for School Library Learning Commons in Canada: Leading Learning provides a guide for the transition of school libraries to vibrant centres of teaching and learning responsive to the diverse needs of learners today and into the future. It also serves as a measurement tool to help schools determine where they are now with library facilities and programs and where they want to advance to. Leading Learning provides a framework for growth for all schools to act on tangible steps for improvement, no matter the status of their library programs.
Canadian School Libraries (2016-2023). Leading learning: Standards of practice for school library learning commons in Canada. Retrieved from https://llsop.canadianschoollibraries.ca/.
Foundations for School Library Learning Commons in Canada: A Framework for Success: Foundations for School Library Learning Commons in Canada: A Framework for Success establishes strong policy, robust funding, and a commitment to equity of access as necessary foundations for school library programs. It describes the elements that frame program success, including design factors for library spaces, technological infrastructure, professional staffing, and accessibility, as well as the ethics of school librarianship, a commitment to a growth mindset, and ongoing accountability. Foundations describes prerequisites for the successful implementation of Leading Learning: Standards of Practice for School Library Learning Commons in Canada, which focuses on program growth.
Canadian School Libraries (2023). Foundations for school library learning commons in Canada: A framework for success. Retrieved from https://www.canadianschoollibraries.ca/foundations-for-school-library-learning-commons-in-canada-a-framework-for-success/
A Guide to the Selection and Deselection of School Library Resources: The Ontario School Library Association provides an excellent resource for developing guidelines. A Guide to the Selection and Deselection of School Library Resources provides information, best practices, and resources to support the selection and deselection of school library learning resources, and resources to help school boards navigate concerns, questions, and/or challenges related to school library materials.
Ontario School Library Association (2023). A guide to the selection and deselection of school library resources. Retrieved from https://accessola.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/FINAL-2023-09-OSLA-A-Guide-to-the-Selection-and-Deselection-of-School-Library-Resources_EN.pdf .
Other Key Resources from Canadian School Libraries
Canadian School Libraries: Canadian School Libraries (CSL) is a registered non-profit charitable organization dedicated to professional research and development in the field of the school library learning commons in Canada. CSL connects school library practitioners and educators across Canada in the collaborative pursuit of delivering exemplary practices reflective of current professional school library learning commons standards. The CSL website includes comprehensive professional resources for school library practice and program advocacy.
Canadian School Libraries (n.d.). Canadian School Libraries. Retrieved from https://www.canadianschoollibraries.ca/.
Canadian School Libraries Collection Diversity Toolkit: The toolkit provides guidance and tools for all aspects of developing diverse and culturally-responsive school library collections, including equity-informed selection, equity-informed weeding, diversity audits, establishing guidelines and procedures, and connections to Leading Learning.
Canadian School Libraries (2021). CSL collection diversity toolkit. Retrieved from https://www.canadianschoollibraries.ca/collection-diversity-toolkit/.
Canadian School Libraries Research Toolkit: The CSL Research Toolkit supports school library practitioners as they explore their own practice through research. It introduces the basics of research approaches and methods, data analysis, research ethics, and ideas for sharing and making meaning of the results of practitioner research.
Canadian School Libraries (n.d.). CSL research toolkit. Retrieved from https://www.canadianschoollibraries.ca/research-toolkit/.
Canadian School Libraries Journal: CSL Journal is an open access online journal that is published three times per year, and is the only national publication of its kind dedicated to school library practice. The journal shares stories of innovative practices in Canada’s school libraries, and is an essential resource for professional learning.
Canadian School Libraries (n.d.). Canadian School Libraries journal. Retrieved from https://journal.canadianschoollibraries.ca/.
Canadian School Libraries Research Archive: The Research Archive promotes Canadian research into the school library learning commons and makes scholarly and practitioner research from all Treasure Mountain Canada (TMC) research symposiums accessible and searchable. The More Research page provides a summary of international research into school library programs.
Canadian School Libraries (n.d.). CSL research archive. Retrieved from https://researcharchive.canadianschoollibraries.ca/.
Human Rights
The foundations and ethics of librarians are based on principles of human rights, as established by these documents.
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (1989). United Nations convention on the rights of the child. Retrieved from https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-rights-child.
United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
United Nations (1948). Universal declaration of human rights. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Government of Canada (1982). Constitution act: Canadian charter of rights and freedoms. Retrieved from https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/const/page-12.html
Canadian Federation of Library Associations: Truth and Reconciliation Report and Recommendations
Callison, C., ed. (n.d.). Truth and reconciliation report and recommendations. CFLA-FCAB. Retrieved from https://cfla-fcab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Truth-and-Reconciliation-Committee-Report-and-Recommendations-ISBN1.pdf
Ethical Standards
Ethical standards for librarianship in Canada have been established by the Canadian Federation of Library Associations / Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliothèques (CFLA-FCAB).
Statement on Intellectual Freedom and Libraries
Canadian Federation of Library Associations (2016). Statement on intellectual freedom and libraries. Retrieved from http://cfla-fcab.ca/en/guidelines-and-position-papers/statement-on-intellectual-freedom-and-libraries/
CFLA/FCAB Code of Ethics
Canadian Federation of Library Associations (2018). CFLA/FCAB code of ethics. Retrieved from http://cfla-fcab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Code-of-ethics.pdf
Centre for Free Expression: Promoting Libraries & Intellectual Freedom
Centre for Free Expression, Toronto Metropolitan University (n.d.). Promoting libraries & intellectual freedom. Retrieved from: https://cfe.torontomu.ca/initiatives/promoting-libraries-intellectual-freedom
A Call to Action
The Future Now: Canada’s Libraries, Archives, and Public Memory Expert Panel Report: The expert panel called for a national policy consensus on the most appropriate model for school library learning commons, and for sustainable funding.
Royal Society of Canada (2014). The future now: Canada’s libraries, archives, and public memory expert panel report. Retrieved from https://rsc-src.ca/en/future-now-canadas-libraries-archives-and-public-memory.