CSULB
professor's research reward
By
Trent Loomis
On-line Forty-Niner
A
professor in the educational psychology,
administration and counseling department,
at Cal State Long Beach was recently awarded
a second consecutive Judith Pitts Research
Award from the American Association of School
Librarians.
Lesley
Farmer won the Judith Pitts award for her
research project titled, "Library Media
Program Implementation and Student's Achievement,"
at the association's 11th National Conference
in Kansas City.
The
Pitts Award is nothing new to Farmer, who
also received it two years ago for her research
on "Building Information Literacy through
a Whole School Reform Action Research Initiative."
The
Judith Pitts Research Award is given every
two years by the association for the best
research conducted in support of school
librarianship.
"This
is the highest award regarding librarian
research which means that I'm recognized
by my peers," Farmer said. "And
to get it twice in-a-row is very gratifying."
Farmer's
research looked at the Southern California
school library media programs and the impact
they have on student achievement on standardized
tests, specifically, she looked at the degree
to which elements of these programs -- such
as teaching and learning, information access
and delivery, and program administration
-- correlated with the test results.
Farmer,
a CSULB faculty member since 1999 also coordinates
the Library Media Teachers Services Credential
Program, and has written more than a dozen
books on librarianship.
Educational psychology department chairwoman,
Janet Echevarria said she believes that
CSULB is very fortunate to have Farmer.
"Due
to the limited number of library media programs
in the state, and all of the skills that
Lesley brings to the department, we are
very lucky to have her here--she's a valuable
member of our staff."
What
inspired Farmer to research such a topic
is the importance of such data for herself,
and her colleagues.
"The
role of research in school librarianship
is critical, yet lacking. A stronger tie
between university research and field application
must be developed. Therefore, to have been
awarded this honor twice is extremely gratifying,"
Farmer said.
"I
use this research to help improve the CSULB
Library Media Teacher Program – as
well as to advance the profession of school
librarianship in general."
Farmer's
focus and goal was to identify key elements
that correlated with student success so
that library media teachers could make sure
that they addressed those issues.
Reading
scores were the most closely aligned with
the degree of library program implementation.
Farmer
also found that communication and collaborative
planning were vital, as well as professional
staffing, access to extensive collections
and ongoing professional development.
"I tried to find out what's out in
the field and how those finding will benefit
not only us at Long Beach, but my peers
all over the country."
Associate
professor at the University of Southern
Mississippi and chairwoman of the Judith
Pitts Forum, Elizabeth Haynes thought presenting
the award was an easy decision.
"Dr.
Farmer has proven in the past that her research
has not only been accurate, but important
to all school libraries over the country,"
Haynes said.
Farmer,
not being one to rest on her laurels is
currently in the preliminary stages of conducting
research for her next project which will
examine emotional maturity and how that
impacts the learning process.
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