Flagstaff Academy librarian earns 'Highly Effective Schools Through Libraries' designation

Flagstaff Academy Charter School Librarian Denise von Minden is the only charter school librarian in the state of Colorado to earn a Highly Effective Schools Through Libraries (HESTL) designation. HESTL is a program of the Colorado State Library within the Colorado Department of Education and funded through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). This designation is granted to recognize outstanding school library programs and librarians. Flagstaff Academy librarian earns 'Highly Effective Schools Through Libraries' designation

"Denise operates the library much like a bookstore, taking the pulse of what the students want and need on a regular basis," said Katie Gustafson, Flagstaff Academy executive principal. "She also takes into account the needs of our core curriculum and teacher requests and orders ebooks that can be used across classrooms digitally. She has built a large collection of character education books that coincide with our Positive Behavior and Supports work, and is continually working to build a library that represents the diverse population that we have here at Flagstaff."

To earn HESTL status, von Minden submitted applications to earn exemplars in the following five areas. It is required that all five exemplars are achieved before HESTL status is granted.

• Vision & Planning: Develops effective plans for the library program including annual review of school focus goals, library data, and collaborative input from the school community.
• Instructional Specialist: Designs and implements lessons and assessments that meaningfully integrate 21st Century Learning Standards, Colorado Academic Standards, and digital literacy skills through direct instruction and collaboration with content teachers.
• Leadership: Promotes collaboration and creative problem solving, and influences staff and students to embrace a growth mindset by demonstrating lifelong learning in practice.
• Library Environment: Establishes a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment for a diverse population of students. The school library space is open, warm, and welcoming; it is flexibly designed to meet a wide variety of needs as well as to foster learning and curiosity.
• Library Management: Librarian believes that print, multimedia, and electronic materials are core ingredients for building a foundation for literacy, reading pleasure, and research skills.

"We do anything that we can to keep students interested in the library," said von Minden. "That interest directly translates to our students being better readers and life-long learners. Curation of our collection is a huge part of what I do to make sure we have books that reflect the diversity of our community. We also want to make sure that our students see themselves reflected in the books that we have on hand."

Von Minden has been the librarian at Flagstaff Academy for seven years. She is also a parent to two Flagstaff Academy students. She holds a masters in information and learning technologies and a masters in education with a focus on curriculum and instruction.

In addition to her library management duties, von Minden hosts a monthly Project Lit book club with fifth through seventh graders, serves as the PTO liaison, organizes three annual Scholastic Book Fairs, speaks at local literacy conferences, and works closely with staff to help build and organize their classroom libraries.

Only 16 libraries of Colorado's more than 1,900 schools are designated as Highly Effective. The goal is that one day all schools will have highly-qualified teacher librarians and communities (parents, students, administrators, and fellow educators) who value an exemplary teacher-librarian and library program in order to help students and staff thrive in school and beyond.