Perceptions and impact of the NYS Common Core on school libraries and school librarians

Perceptions of school librarians and the roles they play were investigated to see if they changed due to the introduction of the New York State Common Core Curriculum. In this qualitative study, the circulation data from74 school libraries before and after the implementation of the Core were examined, along with data from interviews and surveys of 110 teachers, school librarians and administrators. Participants were surveyed and interviewed to review what, if any, perceptional shifts occurred that affected teacher librarian collaboration and/or student and teacher use of the school library. The role of the librarian did not shift positively or negatively over this period of time according to teachers. School librarians, conversely, reported they perceived a decline in collaboration due to the scheduling shifts caused by the common core. Circulation statistics did not show any significant change due to the implementation in library material usage.