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Introduction: As members of the Natrona County School District library community, we are eager to develop a vision to encompass and support the goals of our district to meet the information and literacy needs of our students. School librarians' deep commitment to literacy, and unique skills make them essential to the collaborative district effort to help all the students of NCSD read at grade level, rank in the top !0% of schools in the state, and graduate with the information skills necessary for success.

Vision of Natrona County School District Library System: Libraries play an integral role in promoting and addressing literacy for all students. Through collaboration with all members of the library community, we can assist with developing strategies to promote and create a culture of reading. Addressing these needs is done not only through the use of print resources, but also those in digital formats. Through the effective implementation of resources, students will leave Natrona County School District with the skills required to find and effectively use quality information.

Strategies Required To Implement The Vision: Effective strategies for advancing the evolution of libraries must address perceptions and practices of libraries. One first step in this process is to evaluate the current library image and practice K-12. A mechanism for all K-12 library staff members to share professional expertise and have meaningful input should be created. This expertise must be acknowledged and supported.

A philosophy must be developed to support creating multiple opportunities for students to have books in their hands at all times. Barriers or obstacles such as time schedule restrictions, procedures, inequity of funding, and attitudes must be removed. Summer access to school libraries, inflexible library scheduling and lack of access to school libraries before and after school are specific examples of issues to be addressed.

Library programs demonstrate an eagerness to support literacy through learning, sharing, research, and resources. Work to further develop programs and processes will require additional resources such as time. Suggestions for addressing the needs could include increased collaboration within the library community. Providing time for activities such as library retreats and roundtable discussions will be a valid strategy for creating a new beginning for libraries and, as a result, for strengthening educational programs and for establishing libraries as integral components for supporting the Natrona County School District’s commitment to literacy. An enhanced and effective virtual presence for the K-12 library system is a necessity as the evolution of libraries continues and as equity issues for libraries are addressed.