School Library Services Initiative (SLSI)
In many ways schools are helping students to become critical thinkers, evaluators and creators of information. The role of the school library is to support K–12 students in their diverse learning needs across the programs of study in real and virtual landscapes in collaboration with staff, students, other libraries and the community. Alberta Education has established a School Library Services Initiative (SLSI) that focuses on reviewing K–12 school library services and support resource(s) across the province. The SLSI offers schools and school authorities the opportunity to capitalize on research and existing investments in resources. The SLSI also offers coherent strategies that could help school and school authorities as they plan ways to improve student success.
The SLSI focuses on seamless access to library services for students through the "school library learning commons" perspective; an initiative using both physical and digital resources to support the school's efforts to respond to each student's learning needs. The school library learning commons is a concept that helps schools innovate and collaborate within a design that adapts to student and teacher needs.
For more information on the initiative, see School Library Services Initiative Frequently Asked Questions 
(Version française).
Alberta Education has established a School Library Services Initiative (SLSI) that focuses on reviewing Kindergarten to Grade 12 school library services and support resources. The School Library Inventory Survey was designed to develop an inventory of the current state of school libraries in the province of Alberta. Specifically, the survey was designed to gather current information on Alberta Kindergarten to Grade 12 library staffing and facilities, and access to technology, resources and services.
On June 12, 2009, an e-mail was sent to superintendents indicating that Alberta Education was requesting feedback from school principals about the current state of school library services. The School Library Survey Summary of Results is the provincial summary of the data collected. Separate summaries for those jurisdictions that had at least 10 schools that responded will be forthcoming.
The survey results confirm the need to review Alberta Education's 1984 Policy, Guidelines, Procedures and Standards for School Libraries in Alberta and have helped inform the drafting of a 2010 policy guidelines document which will undergo further consultation.
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School Library Survey—Summary of Results, Version 2, January 2010
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School Library Inventory Survey, June 2009
School Library Services Initiative (SLSI) Presentation
This presentation provides background research and information regarding activities of the initiative. The presentation was recently shared at the Canadian Library Association Annual Conference in Edmonton, June 2010. Additionally, a pre-conference symposium created by the Canadian Association for School Libraries and the Provincial School Library Associations provided opportunity for Education to share research that has informed SLSI committees as related to the symposium theme "Transforming Canadian School Libraries to Meet the Needs of 21st Century Learners."
For additional information related to the survey results or the SLSI, contact Erin Hansen, Literacy, Numeracy and School Libraries Manager, Cross Curriculum Infusion Branch, Education Program Standards and Assessment Division, at 403–297–5024 (toll-free by dialing 310–0000 first).
