Colorado School Libraries

 Vision: Exemplary teachers honor student voice and, with their help, create learning experiences that are joyful and engaging.

The mission of the CDE Learning/Instructional Skills Specialists are to empower educators to embed learning skills needed to create meaningful, collaborative, and real-life learning opportunities so that all learners can thrive in school and beyond.

Our core values: Reflection, Leadership; Joy; Curiosity; Lifelong learning; Empowerment

Leadership/Growth

• Highly Effective Schools Through Libraries Program/Recognition

      Learning Opportunities (Colorado and/or free offerings)

• Monthly List of (mostly free) Webinars Across the Nation (thanks to Wyoming State Library) 
• Shine a Light Series - Highlights TL Promising/Innovative Practice
• Professional Development Opportunities We Offer
• Colorado Learning Opportunities for K-12/Public Librarians (Includes month-by-month conference/workshop links)
• CALCON (also includes links to CAL/CASL membership)
• CSL in Session (includes Promising Practice in Session)
• Digital Learning Day

      Pandemic- Related Impact and Infomation

• K-12 Librarian/Library Staff Impact (PDF)
• Sample K-12 Librarian (TL/DTL/DLC) Job Description (PDF)
• Crowdsourced k-12 School Library Reopening Drafts/Plans

Teaching and Connecting

• Digital Literacy Resources (including resources for formative assessment, digital citizenship, maker spaces, and more)
• Colorado Academic Standards Essential Skills Rubric
• CDE's "Practical Ideas for Evaluating Teacher Librarians" - Suggestions for evaluating CO teacher-librarians
• Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection 
• Open eBooks 
• Chronicling America at the Library of Congress
• U.S. Historical Newspapers
• CO School Library Hotline - Click on the link to subscribe to our email list for teacher librarians and library staff  

STANDARDS

• ISTE Standards (Students, Educators, Coaches, and more)
• ISTE Redefining Learning in a Technology-Driven World Report
• AASL Standards - Learner Framework
• Future Ready Librarians Framework
• Colorado Histories - Colorado Biographies and more

Awareness

• ESSA Guidance for School Libraries (PDF)
• LRS School Library Profiles

Library Management

• Database discounts though CO Library Consortium (CLiC)
• School Libraries: Replacement or Return of Library Resources per House Bill 17-1301
• School Privacy Issues
• Facing a challenge? Contact ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (ALA membership not necessary.) Also helpful ALA Challenge Support.
• CREW Method of Weeding
• Various policies from some Colorado school districts

Licensure • Job Opportunities

• Teacher Librarian Endorsement Overview and Guidelines
• Coursework for Teacher-Librarian Endorsement Programs
• CO Postsecondary Librarian Pathways
• Teaching Degree Programs/Guides by State
• Educator Licensing Office
• Colorado Educator Jobline
• CO Library Jobline
• Teacher.org - School Librarian
• Teaching Jobs