Radnor audit praises library collections, calls for clearer parent outreach and AI lessons

The Radnor Township School District's curriculum committee on April 14 reviewed a library audit that praised the district's librarians and collections while recommending changes to improve access and communication.

Dr. Kierney, who presented the audit, said the district's libraries "provide welcoming environments that foster a love of reading, support academic growth, develop digital citizenship, and teach information literacies." Librarians from each level described a mix of in-person and digital resources, partnerships with the Radnor Memorial Library and programming such as author visits and therapy-dog days.

The audit highlighted a notable increase in digital resources. "There's significant growth in digital collections, especially ebooks," said librarian Sue Dalstrom, noting district access to vendor collections such as Capstone and others. The presentation said every school in the district exceeds 15 library books per student and that digital circulation has been expanded so students can access titles at home.

While survey results showed broad appreciation for librarians and the quality of collections, parents and students identified several areas for improvement. Presenters said 148 students and 95 parents responded to the district surveys and that common themes included requests for expanded access time, additional printers and clearer communication about library offerings. A board member said parents often miss posted updates and urged more consistent messaging outside the student-facing Schoology system.

Audit recommendations included: - Clarify and consolidate the most current library curriculum and common-assessment documents to resolve versioning issues; - Develop age-appropriate AI and digital-citizenship lessons (planned K'0 awareness and secondary responsible-use modules) and integrate them with classroom instruction; - Strengthen communication with families through the district website and building principals so parents know how to access ebooks and library programming; - Consider targeted collection updates to ensure curricular alignment and more robust non-fiction where needed.

Dr. Kierney said the librarians have begun building elementary AI-awareness lessons and secondary guidance on responsible AI use, and will coordinate with classroom teachers so lessons are reinforced in subject courses. "None of these lessons are nearly as effective in isolation as they might be if they're in coordination with what's happening in classrooms," she said.

The committee recognized librarian Sue Dalstrom for receiving the Anne Peters award and thanked the library staff for partnerships with the Radnor Memorial Library and ongoing professional engagement.

The committee did not take formal action; the audit will inform curricular updates and communication plans ahead of the next meeting.