NEWS RELEASES > APRIL 17, 2019
MCHENRY, IL – Education leaders Bill Bass and Shannon McClintock Miller have collaborated on a new book for K-12 school librarians designed to show them their full potential to empower their schools, students, and communities, and how they can collaborate to create positive change. Leading from the Library: Help Your School Community Thrive in the Digital Age is published by ISTE and available now for purchase.
“Through this book, Bill and I want librarians to discover the influence and impact they can have within their school community and profession as leaders within the library, classroom, community, and world,” said Miller, K-12 district teacher librarian at Van Meter Community School District in Iowa. “We hope by sharing our voice, experiences and stories, we will help librarians lead from the library, making a difference within their communities and in the lives of their students too.”
The innovation coordinator for instructional technology, information and library media for the Parkway School District in St. Louis, Mo., Bass said he and Miller wanted to highlight the essential role librarians play as “leaders who work collaboratively to build relationships, mold culture and climate, and advocate for the needs of students and the community. Libraries are critical elements of our schools and provide opportunities for all who enter the buildings while striving to address the needs of literacy in the digital age.”
The 150-page book begins by discussing the benefits of bringing the outside world into the library through the use of social media, videoconferencing, and other tools that enable librarians to partner with others. The second half expands upon these connections by addressing how librarians can lead in the greater educational community by sharing resources and strategies and partnering with school leaders to tell the story of the school community. Throughout, Bass and Shannon make direct connections to the ISTE Standards describing opportunities to empower learners and incorporate the standards into their school leadership.
The co-authors again will be collaborating at the 2019 ISTE Conference in Philadelphia where they will team up for a session at 9 a.m. Sunday, June 23 titled, “Leading from the Library in the Digital Age.”
Bass (@billbass) has authored three books and is currently president of the ISTE Board of Directors. Miller (@shannonmmiller) is a spokesperson for Follett and Future Ready Librarians® and author of the blog, “The Library Voice.”
The new book can be pre-ordered now ($20.97/ISTE members and $27.95/non-members) by visiting ISTE at https://id.iste.org/.
July 14, 2026
McHenry, Ill. – July 14, 2026 – Follett Content, a leading provider of PreK-12 literacy resources, supported Page Ahead’s 2026 Book Up Summer program, helping distribute 79,959 books to 10,220 students across 50 schools throughout Washington state.Book Up Summer is...
Read more
Follett Content Team Raises Funds for CASA of McHenry County Through Employee Bookstore
June 24, 2026
McHenry, Ill. – June 24, 2026 – Follett Content, a leading provider of PreK-12 literacy resources, announced a $1,013 donation to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of McHenry County, generated through proceeds from employee purchases at Edythe’s Book Nook (EBN), its...
Read more
Follett Content Launches tonies + Book Bundles for Libraries
June 23, 2026
McHenry, Ill., June 23, 2026 – Follett Content, a leading provider of content and services for public and school libraries, today announced the launch of tonies® + Book Bundles, a new offering now available for purchase by libraries.Developed in collaboration...
Read more
Follett Content Celebrates 25 Years as an ALA Library Champion at ALA Annual 2026
June 10, 2026
McHenry, Ill., June 10, 2026 – Follett Content, a trusted partner to public and school libraries nationwide, today announced its participation in the ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition, taking place June 25-29, 2026, at McCormick Place in Chicago. This year marks...
Read more
Follett Content Strengthens Adult Offerings for Public Libraries, Launches New Street Date Program
April 30, 2026
Follett Content, a longtime partner to libraries nationwide, today announced a deepened commitment to public library collections by expanding its adult print catalog and launching the Follett Street Date Program to help libraries to deliver high-demand titles to patrons on...
Read more
Follett Celebrates Educators During Teacher Appreciation Week with Literacy Space Giveaway
April 28, 2026
During Teacher Appreciation Week, Follett Content is recognizing educators by supporting the literacy spaces where students read, explore, and learn every day. The initiative addresses common challenges educators face, including limited time and budget to refresh classroom and library environments.
Read more