Courtney Pentland

Biography

Courtney Pentland is Coordinator of the School Library and Instructional Technology Leadership Programs and a member of the Library Sciences faculty at the University of Nebraska Omaha. She brings more than two decades of experience in K–12 education, having served as a high school English teacher, school librarian at both the secondary and elementary levels, and lead teacher/research librarian for large urban district.A nationally recognized leader in the field, Pentland served as President of the American Association of School Librarians (2023–2024) and has held multiple leadership roles within the Nebraska School Librarians Association. Her work focuses on instructional collaboration, inquiry-based learning, equitable access to resources, and professional learning for educators. She is a frequent presenter at national and state conferences and a widely published author in professional journals, including Knowledge Quest, School Library Journal, School Library Connection, and Teacher Librarian.Pentland holds a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from UNO and is certified as a Curriculum Supervisor and K–12 School Library Media specialist.

Service Summary

Pentland, C. (2026). ​School Library Collection Management. ​Knowledge Quest, ​54 (4).Pentland, C. Knowledge Quest and Knowledge Quest Blog July 2023-June 2024 (Presidential columns and posts)Pentland, C. Knowledge Quest Blogger (2020)Curriculum Connection Editor for School Library Connection (2020-2022)Podcast Host – One Lesson at a Time for School Library Connection (2021-2022)Pentland, C. (2022). The Advocacy Efforts for School Librarian Staffing during the Pandemic. Knowledge Quest, 50(3).American Association of School Librarians –Knowledge Quest Blogger (Jan 2020-Dec 2020) https://knowledgequest.aasl.org/Pentland, C. (2019). Mindful practices in the elementary library. School Library Connection. December 2019.Pentland, C. (2019). Advocacy begins at home. School Library Connection. Summer 2019.Pentland, C. (2019). Equitable access to books in the school library. Teacher Librarian. May/June 2019 Issue.Pentland, C. (2019). Tidying up the school library. School Library Journal, 65(1), 10-11.Pentland, C. (2018). Classroom management in the school library. Teacher Librarian, 45(4), 34.Pentland, C. (Jan 2018). Six simple steps to successful collaboration. School Library Connection Online.Pentland, C. (Jan/Feb 2018). Weeding our teaching. School Library Connection, 34-35.Pentland, C. (Nov/Dec 2017). Inquiry every day in every classroom. School Library Connection, 30-33.Pentland, C. (March/April 2017). What to “look for” in your school library. School Library Connection, 31-32.Pentland, C. (2014). Is your school library in need of "retail" therapy? School Library Monthly, 30(6), 33-35.Pentland, C. (2014). An attitude of empowerment. School Library Monthly, 30(4), 31-32.Pentland, C. (2013). Art & graphic design: Book makeover project. School Library Monthly, 30(2), 54.Pentland, C. (2013). Location counts. School Library Monthly, 29(6), 35-36.Pentland, C. (2013). Social studies: 1960s race riots article review. School Library Monthly, 29(6), 55-57.Kratt, B., & Pentland, C. (2013). Getting the conversation started: School library candidates speak out about the importance of culturally responsive teaching. Library Media Connection, 32(1), 40.Kratt, B., & Pentland, C. (2013). Raise awareness--raise confidence: Culturally responsive instruction for school library candidates. Teacher Librarian, 40(3), 38.Pentland, C. (2012). I can’t do my job without them: Why support staff are essential to my library program. Library Media Connection, 30(6), 38.Pentland, C. (2012). Finding money: Tips to increase your school library budget. VOYA, 35(2), 112-113.Pentland, C. (2011). Professional development on a shoestring. School Library Monthly, 28(3), 37-38.Pentland, C. (2011). Social studies: Presidential trading cards. School Library Monthly, 27(7), 18.Pentland, C. (2010). Leaving Dewey behind: Nonfiction reorganization. School Library Monthly, 27(1), 20-21.Pentland, C. (2010). Examples of how to nudge projects toward critical thinking. School Library Monthly, 26(10), 12.Pentland, C. (2010). Nudging research projects toward critical thinking. School Library Monthly, 26(10), 10-11.Pentland, C. (2010). Health and nutrition: Healthy lifestyles children's book. School Library Monthly, 26(7), 8.

Awards and Honors

Hollie Bethel Distinguished Alumni - Distinguished Service Award, Service, Professional - 2025

Education

BS, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, Secondary Education, 7-12 English, 2001

MS, University of Nebraska Omaha, Omaha, NE, Secondary Education, PK-12 School Library, 2009

Licensures and Certifications

Nebraska Teaching Certificate PK-12 School Library, Nebraska Department of Education, 08/24/2006 - 08/31/2029

Department, College, and University

Literacy Graduate Committee, Committee Member, Work within a group of colleagues to provide insights related to the Graduate Literacy Program at UNO., 09/01/2025 - 09/30/2025