The School Library-Principal Relationship: Guidelines for Research and Practice

Abstract

There is a large body of research and professional literature in English in relation to school library program development and implementation. That literature points to the key role of the principal and the importance of the partnership between the principal and the school librarian. Would that relationship hold true across a wide range of countries and cultures, including non-English speaking countries? Could an international study of the relationship between the principal and the school librarian generate findings that could have implications for practice around the world? The study presented in this report was an attempt to address those questions. The study also allowed an exploration of the opportunities and challenges offered through international research programs. There have been few international studies utilizing a collegial model as was proposed for this study. The study also allowed the researchers to test the viability of electronic data gathering techniques.