Harlan Elementary Library Named 'Exemplary' by Library of Michigan

Harlan Elementary has a little something extra to be proud of this week, after the elementary school's Library Media Center was named 'Exemplary' by the Library of Michigan.

Harlan's Libary Media Center received its Exemplary status as part of the Measurement Criteria for Michigan School Libraries for 21st Century Schools (SL21), a program run by the Library of Michigan. Harlan's Library Media Center is run by Media Specialist Elisabeth Stayer.

To earn this recognition, Stayer and her staff had to demonstrate their competence in three categories: Teaching for 21 Century Learning, Building the 21st Century Learning Environment and Leading the Way to 21st Century Learning.

"We are proud that the Harlan Library Media Center has done such good work in providing services deemed 'exemplary' by the Library of Michigan," said Daniel Nerad, Birmingham superintendent, in a press release. "By focusing efforts on these key areas, our library has shown a strong commitment to information literacy and student achievement."

The SL21 is a voluntary management standards program that helps K-12 libraries across the state. Libraries are graded in the following areas:

• Instruction
• Student achievement
• Technology
• Facility
• Staffing
• Budget
• Instructional materials
• Curriculum development
• School improvement
• Community engagement
• Advocacy

"SL21 represents the collaborative work of several dedicated task force members, including school librarians from across the state, library educators, (the) Michigan Association for Media in Education and the Library of Michigan," said State Librarian Nancy Robertson.

"Elisabeth Stayer of the Harlan Media Center is to be commended for achieving this vital endorsement for Harlan Elementary and its library media program," she added.