Effective School Library Programs Impact Student Achievement

JCPS School Library Media Coordinators (SLMC) promote reading as a foundational skill of learning and create a foundation for lifelong learning with a focus on student achievement. Effective school library media programs support the teaching and learning community through data-driven collaboration, literacy, integration of instructional technology and information skills with the total curriculum, resources, staff development, and assessment.  

Strong school libraries build strong students and numerous state studies confirm that school librarians support student achievement. Studies also indicate that reading scores improve when spending for school libraries increases, student achievement tends to be significantly higher for schools that have full-time certified school librarians who regularly collaborate with classroom teachers, and also for school libraries with support staff and flexible scheduling in the library.

JCPS Goal

Johnston County Public Schools supports a district-wide culture where all instructional staff analyze student data, reflect on their practice, collaborate with their peers, and incorporate best-practice teaching strategies to ensure high levels of learning and increased student achievement for all students. By 2029, JCPS will perform within the top 20% of school districts in North Carolina for key indicators.

JCPS School Library Media Services Goal

Johnston County Public Schools’ Media Services knows that the school library media center is the heart of the school and must be an active, encouraging, and engaging learning environment with a focus on literacy. Our school library media coordinators teach, model, and facilitate critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration skills which are essential for career and college readiness. In support of student achievement and the district goal, JCPS media coordinators will:

• Lead in the school library media program and school to support student success and advocate for an effective media program.

• Provide appropriate resources, services, and instruction for learners of all stages of development and diverse interests.

• Build a learning environment that facilitates access to resources and addresses the learning needs of all members of the school community.

• Develop and maintain a library collection that supports teaching and learning as well as recreational reading.

• Serve, promote, and facilitate inquiry-based instruction and the effective use of information, digital age tools, and technology.

Battle of the Books is a trivia-style book competition for students in grades 4-12. The North Carolina School Library Media Association (NCSLMA) sponsors Battle of the Books for elementary, middle, and high school competitions. 

Students at participating schools read books from a list established by the state Battle of the Books committees and then compete in quiz-bowl-style tournaments to test their knowledge of these books.

Battle of the Books involvement is contingent on participating schools meeting the following criteria: 

Coach - 

• Either an 076  licensed Media Coordinator OR Certified Staff Member serving as the school's BOB coach

• Current member of NCSLMA

• Fills out compliance form by deadline (December)

Library - 

• Designated space on the site of the school (only exception, some Early and Middle colleges operate differently).

• Cataloged collection

• Open and staffed at least 20 hours weekly by a certified school Library Media Coordinator or other certified staff serving in the role of Media Coordinator.

To learn more about Battle of the Books, visit the NCSLMA website.

NCED Connect is North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s (NCDPI) suite of digital tools and instructional resources designed to empower teachers, engage students, support administrators, and connect parents to their child’s personalized learning. Since its inception in 2013, NCED Connect (originally Home Base) has developed into a comprehensive suite of tools that provide management of student data, educator evaluation, professional development for educators, and access to learning resources aligned with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.

This team provides, equitable access, personalized learning, professional growth, and collaborative engagement to PSUs. 

NCED Connect includes seven key components: Canvas, EBSCO & Britannica, GoOpenNC, Learning.com, NCEES, NCSIS, and Schoolnet. 

Destiny Discover is Johnston County Public School's online library catalog system. Students and families can use it to search for books and resources available in the Media Center.

What can you do in Destiny Discover?

• Search for books by title, author, subject, or keyword

• Check if a book is available or checked out

• Explore recommended books and topics

• Access digital resources in their school library's collection, if available.

Important:
Destiny Discover includes books from the school Media Center only. It does not include books that are part of individual classroom libraries.

Our school libraries and classroom libraries are filled with books chosen to support student learning, engagement, and a love of reading. We also encourage families to be actively involved in guiding their child’s reading choices.

North Carolina House Bill 805 requires school districts to give parents/guardians access to school and classroom library catalogs and allows parents to restrict their child’s access to specific books. Below is information on how you can review library collections and, if desired, request restrictions for your child.

We encourage families to explore our library collections together. If you would like to limit your child’s access to specific titles:

• Review the library catalog for your child's school.

• Identify the title(s) you wish to restrict for your child.

• Complete the opt-out steps outlined below.

Restrictions apply only to the titles you list. All other books remain available for your child. Please note that opting out does not remove the book(s) from the library collection; it simply ensures your child cannot check them out.

Destiny Discover, which allows families to connect directly to their child’s account and stay involved in their reading activity, includes the Additional User Type Feature. This allows parents/guardians to:

• Explore the catalog for their child's school and view details about titles.

• See their child's current checkouts and checkout history.

• Block specific titles if desired.

Primary and Secondary Contacts

• The Primary Contact has full access, including the ability to block or unblock titles.

• The Secondary Contact has view-only access.

• Blocked titles stay restricted across school years and follow the student if they change schools within the district—unless unblocked by the Primary Contact.

• These restrictions cannot be overridden by school staff.

Steps to Restrict School Library Titles:

1. Log in to Destiny using the guides below:

   • JCPS Parent/Guardian Destiny Access

   • JCPS Parent/Guardian Destiny Access SPA

2. Review activity:

   • Search by title, author, or subject.

   • Click the three dots next to a title to block it, or View More Details for additional information.

   • If a title is available only at another school, you’ll see Available offsite only.

3. Identify and block titles:

   • Search for the exact title/author.

   • Use the three dots menu to restrict access.

Our goal is to inspire a love of reading that helps every student grow, explore, and succeed, while supporting families in making choices that best support their child’s learning journey.

Both school and classroom libraries offer a wide selection of books to support student learning, engagement, and a love of reading. Because classroom libraries are created by individual teachers, the titles available may vary. We encourage families to explore these book lists together and take an active role in guiding their child’s reading choices.

North Carolina House Bill 805 (2025) gives parents and guardians the ability to review school and classroom library catalogs and to restrict their child’s access to specific titles. This includes books available in the classroom, the school library, and digital reading platforms not fully controlled by Johnston County Public Schools, such as Epic!, Sora, Audible, Kindle, and similar services.

Since these digital platforms are managed by outside companies, the district does not have access to their complete catalog information. If you prefer that your child not use certain digital reading apps or subscriptions, you may choose to restrict them. To learn which digital tools are used in your child’s classroom, please reach out to your child’s teacher.

The Parent/Guardian Book Opt-Out Form includes a section where you can list any book(s) or digital reading application(s) you do not want your child to access. Some digital platforms also offer parent monitoring or access options, although features vary and some may require a paid subscription. Families should contact the provider directly for more information.

How to Access Classroom Book Lists

1. Open the School’s Classroom Library folder, which can be found on the Media Center page on your child's school's website.

2. Select your child’s teacher’s name.

3. Search for specific titles using:

• Windows: Ctrl + F

• Mac: Command (⌘) + F

Steps to Restrict Classroom Library or Digital Titles

1. Review your child’s classroom library list (if available).

2. Identify specific book titles or digital platforms you wish to restrict.

3. Complete the Parent/Guardian Book Opt-Out Form.

4. Include the teacher’s name and the exact titles or digital tools you wish to restrict.

5. Submit the form.

Additional Important Notes

• You may also use this form to grant access to books/apps that you previously restricted.

• To restrict a book in the school library, see the School Library Opt-Out Information (included above).

• Disclaimer: This form is specific to each teacher’s classroom library. If a student has multiple teachers and the same book(s)/app is available in more than one classroom, a separate form must be submitted for each teacher.

• The form is valid only while the student is assigned to the teacher listed.

• Note: Restrictions apply only to the titles listed for that classroom library.

If you do not see your child’s teacher listed:
This may indicate that the teacher does not currently have classroom books available for students to read independently. If you would like to confirm or inquire further, please reach out directly to your child’s teacher. You can locate their email address by visiting the school’s website, clicking Menu, then selecting Directory.