"Tales Out of the School Library" is a book that empowers anyone working in the school library to redefine their practice to meet the needs of young learners today. It covers familiar, everyday topics of the most concern to practitioners - assessment, literacy and reading, diversity, intellectual freedom, communication, collaboration, and more. But it is the approach that makes this book unique: each chapter begins with a story from one of three imaginary, yet recognizably authentic library media specialists - composites of real professionals, each with distinctive personalities, strengths, and challenges. These tales of elementary, middle, and high school librarians play out over the course of a school year, and serve as the focal point for discussions of essential aspects of teaching, communication, and leadership. Follow-up questions, an annotated bibliography, and discussion questions further add to the value of this innovative volume.