Library Media Connection Supports School Librarians with an Online Professional Learning Community on edWeb.net

library media connection logoPrinceton, NJ – January 23, 2013 – Library Media Connection, a leading publication and resource for school librarians, has launched an online professional learning community on edWeb.net. The purpose of the community is to make it easy, and enjoyable, for librarians to connect with experts in the field, share information, and support each other at a critical time of transition in the school library market. Library programs around the country are facing budget cuts at a time when there is a critical opportunity to transform school libraries into 21st century resource centers that support the school and parent community.

Library Media Connection learned early on from their research that librarians feel isolated in schools where they tend to be a solo practitioner with no one down the hall to share ideas, solutions, and challenges. Librarians are natural communicators and are highly engaged in their profession, so they value opportunities to connect with others in the field. Providing librarians with opportunities for connection has been at the heart of Library Media Connection’s work beginning with the original publication, The Book Report. LMC now supports librarians with both print and online information and resources.

Online communities provide a natural way to extend opportunities for librarians to share and connect. The LMC @ the Forefront community on edWeb.net provides free monthly webinars, online discussions, and resources. LMC’s webinars are online professional development workshops that offer real-time, real-world insight and thought-leadership in the library media profession. Leading experts in education provide insights, instruction, and ideas on a wide range of important librarianship topics such as reading and literature, technology and social media, learning environments, guided inquiry, Common Core, staffing, public relations, and advocacy. Community members collaborate with peers during the live workshops and through online discussions. The program is entirely free.

Marlene Woo-Lun, the publisher of Librarian Media Connection commented, “Our community on edWeb is a natural online extension of our network of readers developed through the years in print. It offers school librarians a place to explore the challenges, opportunities and resources that make school libraries vibrant, vital research and learning environments. Our mission is to help librarians help each other turn their school libraries into thriving hubs for 21st century learning and teaching, and to help librarians feel valued for their role as professionals in education.”

Lisa Schmucki, founder and CEO of edWeb.net added, “Our recent research on educators and social networking shows that librarians are the educators who are most engaged in using online communities and this is such a great way for them connect with other colleagues around the country, and the world. LMC is doing an exceptional job making their community welcoming and fun while providing a valuable professional learning opportunity. Meeting fellow librarians at conferences is enjoyable on a personal and professional level, and LMC is bringing that same sense of collegiality to their community on edWeb.”

Listen to an interview hosted by Larry Jacobs of Education Talk Radio with Marlene Woo-Lun and Lisa Schmucki where they talk about supporting school librarians with online communities.

Listen Here.

Join the Library Media Connection community on edWeb at LMC @ The Forefront.