AKLATAN KO’Y KANLUNGAN: Fostering inclusive, diverse and safe spaces in school libraries (2 of 2)

Taking off where we last had a review of the slide presentations on the Aklatan Ko'y Kanlungan is this rubric. May this be your guide and tool to evaluate programs and services that foster and promote inclusive, diverse and safe spaces in school libraries. 

Rubric for Evaluating Safe Space, Inclusive, and Diverse Library Programs and Services 

1. Collection Diversity

Excellent (4 points): The library's collection is highly diverse, representing a wide range of cultures, perspectives, and experiences across various formats (books, ebooks, audiobooks, films, etc.). It includes materials from diverse ethnicities, religions, and sexual orientations, actively promoting inclusivity. 

Good (3 points): The collection is fairly diverse, with a noticeable representation of different cultures and perspectives, although there may be some gaps in coverage or depth. 

Fair (2 points): The collection shows some effort towards diversity but lacks sufficient representation across all dimensions. There are notable gaps that limit inclusivity. 

Poor (1 point): The collection is limited in diversity, with minimal representation of cultures, perspectives, and experiences beyond mainstream offerings. 

 2. Multilingual Resources 

Excellent (4 points): The library provides extensive resources in multiple languages, including books, newspapers, magazines, and online materials, effectively meeting diverse language needs within the community. 

Good (3 points): There are substantial multilingual resources available, although there may be some gaps in specific languages or types of materials. 

Fair (2 points): The library offers limited multilingual resources, addressing only basic language needs of the community. 

Poor (1 point): Multilingual resources are severely lacking, failing to meet diverse language needs effectively. 

3. Programming 

Excellent (4 points): The library organizes a robust calendar of events, workshops, and activities that celebrate various cultures, traditions, and perspectives. Programs are well-attended and engage a broad cross-section of the community. 

Good (3 points): Programming includes a variety of events that promote cultural diversity and inclusion, although there may be room for improvement in audience reach or thematic breadth. 

Fair (2 points): The library offers some programming related to multiculturalism and diversity but lacks consistency or depth in engagement. 

Poor (1 point): Programming related to diversity and inclusion is minimal or absent, reflecting a lack of effort in fostering cultural awareness and understanding. 

 4. Accessibility 

Excellent (4 points): The library is fully accessible to people with disabilities, with comprehensive facilities such as ramps, elevators, designated parking, and appropriate signage. Materials are available in various accessible formats. 

Good (3 points): Accessibility features are generally well-implemented, though there may be minor gaps or occasional maintenance issues. 

Fair (2 points): The library has some accessibility features but lacks consistency or completeness in implementation. 

1-5 points: Poor - The library's efforts in creating a safe, inclusive, and diverse environment are minimal or ineffective, requiring substantial changes to meet community needs. This rubric provides a structured approach to assessing how well a library integrates principles of diversity, inclusion, and accessibility into its programs and services, ultimately aiming to create a welcoming space for all patrons. 

 Note: This rubric is created with the assistance of AI.

Post Script on Teacher-Librarian Collaboration and MIL Workshop for ALLPI

Dear ALLPI,

It's been a week since our workshop on Teacher and Librarian Collaboration and Media and Information Literacy. Thank you very much for making the workshop a meaningful experience for me. As always, I learned from the experience as well. Your presence and cooperation pushes me to improve my training module and the approach I can use the next time I get to do a similar workshop.

Among the many insights I gained from our workshop last week, it is the concept that MIL is a process - something we can work on together in steps and in progression. And while you may be connecting the dots on what you gained from the workshop with actual practice, I am sending these links your way to further enhance, enrich or support your understanding and competencies in MIL.

Read on! Take note. Write down your questions or what struck you along the way.

If you are new to assessment and the tools necessary to undergo diagnoses of skills and competencies, I recommend this PPT by Marjorie Pappas (2009). In her presentation, she explains the different kinds of assessments and the tools that are appropriate for each one. I particularly like the strategies and graphic organizers she identified for self-assessment not only on IL skills, but on creative and critical thinking skills applied in communication arts.

For specific rubrics and criterion based assessment tool on IL, here are three websites and links to each of them.

Information Literacy Skills Assessment for Students 
This assessment on IL is a free online assessment tool designed by the Kent State University Libraries. All you need is to get an account, verify it and you can use the assessment tool, known as TRAILS, for one-on-one, small group or class sessions.

Information Literacy Value Rubric for Projects and Finished Research Work - 
This is a PDF of an IL rubric to assess students' achievement on IL skills applied in creating and communicating a project or a research work. The PDF can be downloaded for free.

RAILS Rubric Assessment of Information Literacy Skills is list of assessment tools on IL skills and its sub-skills. You need to log in to get free rubrics and even contribute your own. Of the three, this is may favorite because, I am able to choose which is applicable for my students, my workshop participants and colleagues who need my help and assistance.

That's it for now. Do give me feedback or ask questions on the links I recommended.