Downloadable Research, resources, strategies, and templates

The collaboration between public schools and public libraries is a powerful way to enhance educational outcomes, foster literacy, and ensure equitable access to resources. Whether you’re an educator, librarian, or policymaker, understanding how these partnerships work can guide you in creating more effective, student-centered programs.

-Mary E. Pettit, NBCT, ED.D

We’ve compiled a downloadable list of critical research articles and resources that explore these partnerships’ various strategies, benefits, and challenges.

Why School-Public Library Partnerships Matter

Partnerships between public libraries and schools offer a wide range of benefits, including shared resources, stronger literacy programs, and improved student engagement. Public libraries often serve as crucial access points to digital resources, books, and learning tools that schools may lack, especially in underfunded districts. By working together, schools and libraries can provide more comprehensive support for students’ educational and personal development.

Featured Research

Library Partnerships: Making Connections Between School and Public Libraries
Tasha Squires provides a detailed guide on forming solid and sustainable partnerships between schools and public libraries. It covers everything from establishing initial connections to using technology effectively and promoting services. Squires emphasizes practical, incremental steps over grand strategies, making the book a must-read for anyone involved in these collaborations ​(Emerald).

Collaborative Resource Sharing Between Public and School Libraries
This research explores how public youth librarians and school libraries share resources, highlighting how these collaborations can enhance students’ access to both digital and physical resources. It also discusses strategies to overcome the common challenges schools and public libraries face when working together​ (American Library Association).

The Experience of School and Public Library Collaboration
Focusing on rural areas, this article dives into how partnerships can help both libraries maximize their resources and strengthen ties within their communities. It offers insights into successful collaboration models, making it an excellent resource for those looking to build partnerships in smaller or underfunded communities​ (American Library Association).

Concrete strategies, success stories, and practical templates for building effective partnerships between schools and public libraries.

Public Library & School Library Collaboration Toolkit
Developed by the American Library Association (ALA), this toolkit offers a detailed guide on how public and school libraries can collaborate effectively. It includes sections on initiating partnerships, maintaining them, and concrete examples of successful collaborations.
Download the toolkit here​ (Wyoming State Library).

“Your Partner Down the Street: School and Public Library Collaboration”
This article highlights how public libraries support school libraries in areas such as information literacy, digital resource access, and programming, especially during times of crisis like the pandemic. It provides strategies for collaboration between school and public librarians. Read the full article here​(Knowledge Quest).

Limitless Libraries Program (Nashville)
A case study of the Limitless Libraries program that enables resource sharing between Nashville Public Library and local schools. This innovative partnership gives Students access to books, media, and educational tools. More details about the program.

Mason County District Library’s Unbound Program
This program allows public school students in rural Michigan to have library books delivered directly to their classrooms, helping bridge the resource access gap for underfunded schools. Find more information.