Collaboration + Integration = A Library Program Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts

Collaboration between classroom teachers and school librarians is widely promoted as best practice. While the concept itself is easily understood, the path to collaboration can seem elusive. One of the essential tasks of school librarians is to integrate information and technology skills with the core curriculum. This translates into instruction that has an authentic purpose and occurs at the time of need. This chapter portrays collaboration as one of several important aspects of a small elementary school library program in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Highlights of the program include flexible scheduling, curriculum, standards and assessment, and stakeholder support. Research presented in the chapter provides a rationale for adding flexible scheduling, curricular and standards-based focus, and assessment to a library program in order to promote collaboration.