Through the looking glass: A critical reflection on my developing view of the role of a teacher librarian.

ETL401 201160 Assignment 2: Task C

In 1964, Malcolm X presented a speech to a group of teenagers. In that speech he declared “One of the first things I think young people, especially nowadays, should learn is how to see for yourself and listen for yourself and think for yourself. Then you can come to an intelligent decision for yourself.”[1] The social context in which he framed his speech was very different to that in which I am referring to it today. However, his message remains relevant across the decades and regardless of cultural background. It is a message that should resonate with teacher librarians as we consider our core business and value in education.

My own understanding of the role teacher librarians fulfil was limited. It was initially based predominately on my own interactions with teacher librarians as a student and later as a teaching colleague. This semester, my preconceptions have been challenged and new learning has occurred.

The potential for educators to influence social justice has always been a motivating factor in my decision to become a teacher. I have always held strong views on the role of public schools to promote social justice and equity in education. Earlier posts on this site reflect my view that teacher librarians have enormous potential to support social equity. Brewster Kahl’s stirring speech (on TED talks) highlights the philanthropy of librarians and his vision of “universal access to all knowledge”[2] (Kahl, 2007) is inspirational.

Ensuring students have access to relevant information is a pivotal role of teacher librarians. However, what good is it to be buried under a multitude of information (digital or otherwise) if you don’t know what to do with it? As Fatt Cheong Choy[3] reminds us “Having an over-abundance of information creates the same kind of problems as in an environment with a scarcity of information. Finding appropriate, relevant and reliable information in a sea of undifferentiated information is as challenging as hunting for information in the pre-internet era.” (Fatt Cheong Choy, 2007, p. 121). Therefore, as James Herring[4] (2007) advises, teaching must be the axis around which all other roles revolve. He states, “Developing information literate students is the key role of the teacher librarian in today’s schools.” (Herring, 2007, p.32).

In Australia, the ALIA/ASLA Standards of professional excellence for teacher librarians set the goals to which teacher librarians should aspire. The standards present an informative and in-depth view on the roles teacher librarians fulfill in modern educational settings. They also demonstrate that the crux of teacher librarianship lies in the practitioner’s deep knowledge, commitment to core values and ability to create a quality-learning environment.

During my studies this semester, I have been introduced to the works of many authoritative and influential academics. Reading their works, together with the views of other students via the subject forums, has expanded my understanding of what teacher librarianship entails. I am beginning to gain deep professional knowledge and an awareness and appreciation of the core values of the ALIA/ASLA standards. Forum discussions have illustrated how theory can be put into practice, and also highlighted some of the challenges and obstacles teacher librarians face. The forums are also an example of the collaborative nature of teacher librarians, and how networking can be of benefit regardless of geographical location.

There have been many personal challenges in completing this subject. In particular, the need to interact with technology in previously unexplored ways proved daunting. However, the educational potential of such technology has been proven. Its possible applications to teacher librarianship have been keenly demonstrated and its value to the future direction of education has been proven. Through this subject, I have been introduced to the work of leaders such as Joyce Valenza, who demonstrate effective use of Web 2.0 technologies in the school library, and have gained an insight into the future of library and information services.

The need for collaboration has been a recurrent theme throughout the subject. A good partnership between teacher librarian and teachers is desirable, but the pressure on people due to a lack of time can be an obstacle. In his Week 10 discussion Wizenried[5]  (11/09/11) encourages teacher librarians to take the initiative and be creative to establish partnerships. The teacher librarian needs to be a leader in this respect to bring forth change.

Education can change lives. It creates opportunity. As a teacher librarian, there is an opportunity to equip students with the knowledge and understanding required for life-long learning. While the roles of teacher librarians are varied and many, teaching the skills for, and an appreciation of, life-long learning should be the over-arching role that defines all others.

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[1] Encyclopaedia Britannica, (2011). Malcolm X: Advice to the Youth of Mississippi (1964). Retrieved from: http://www.britannica.com/blackhistory/article-9399834

[2] Kahl, B. (2007). Brewster Kahl builds a free digital library. In TED. Retrieved from: http://www.ted.com/talks/brewster_kahle_builds_a_free_digital_library.html

[3] Fatt Cheong Choy, (2007). Libraries and librarians – what next?, Library Management, Vol. 28 Iss: 3, pp.112 – 124  doi: 10.1108/01435120710727965

[4] Herring, J. (2007). Teacher librarians and the school library. In S. Ferguson (Ed.) Libraries in the twenty-first century : charting new directions in information (pp. 27-42). Wagga Wagga, NSW : Centre for Information Studies, Charles Sturt University. Retrieved from  http://www.csu.edu.au/division/library/ereserve/pdf/herring-j.pdf

[5] Wizenried, A. (2011, Sep. 11).  Week 10 discussion. Interact: ETL401 201160 W D [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from: http://interact.csu.edu.au/portal/site/ETL401_201160_W_D/page/8c9c288c-9ea9-4960-00cc-69a5bf6b56d7

The view from here....

I'm a primary school teacher. I've taught in a number of schools across a number of Australian states. I've been doing this for a few years now, so I've met and worked with a few teacher librarians along the way. I should know all about what they do, right?

Well, I should - but I didn't. 

My understanding (like so many others) of what a teacher librarian does in a school is, or was, very superficial. When the TL at my last school approached me and asked "What do you want me to teach your class this term?", I said simply "Library skills" and that was it. It's not that I didn't want to collaborate - it was just not really knowing what she could do. I mean, I always knew she was an experienced and effective teacher, so I didn't want to impose on her my idea of what she should be teaching. The exchange wasn't very productive or collaborative I'm afraid to say. Rather, it was a failure of communication and understanding from the both of us. Perhaps in our time-poor profession, we had both made assumptions about our roles and understanding.
As a TL, I hope to educate my colleagues to make them better aware of scope of services I can provide.

Roles, Responsibilities and a Learning Curve

My first semester as a student of teacher librarianship is drawing to a close. Wow, what a learning curve!

When I decided to take a post graduate course, I researched my options and narrowed them down to two. Should I follow an ICT path, or teacher librarianship? Both options looked promising. However, when I discovered the depth and breadth of ICT in teacher librarianship, my mind was made up. Not only would I learn how to use technology effectively in education, but through teacher librarianship I would also learn how to use it in highly practical and useful ways to benefit all students.

As a teacher librarian, I have the opportunity to make a positive impact on all students and teach them how to become life-long learners in an exciting, rapidly evolving, digital world. As a bonus, I also get to read my favourite picture books and hopefully instil a love of literature in my students too!

I'm beginning to understand just some of the roles and responsibilities a teacher librarian has. I think I still have so much to learn!

And along the lines of access....

Check out this link to Joyce Velenza's post Child of the Library: Sing out and share! (2nd September 2011).

http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/neverendingsearch/2011/09/02/child-of-the-library-sing-along-and-share/

Brewster Kahle builds a free digital library | Video on TED.com

Brewster Kahle builds a free digital library Video on TED.com

Access and Equity... It's a small world after all!

The year is 1983. A mother and her young daughter, living in government housing, walk for six kilometres. They are on their way to see a new community facility be officially opened - the local library!

Back home the young girl has a small bookshelf stocked with nursery rhymes, fairy tales and an incomplete set of encyclopedia. Entering the library was an experience! So many books! Not only could she borrow books to take home, there were also videos, cassettes and puppets - and all for free!

Over the years the library became an important part of her life. She visited for leisure, for study, for advice and sometimes just for a quiet place to think. In her later years, the library was a place where she could access computers and the Internet (luxuries that were out of the family's reach).

Between the resources of her school library and her local library, the girl was able to become not only the first in her family to finish high school, but the first to go on to higher education. An achievement that would not have been possible without the fair and equitable access to resources and knowledge offered by libraries.

The role of the teacher librarian is an ever-changing, dynamic and complex creature. At the heart of it though is a desire to share, to be truly altruistic. The impact of the teacher librarian can (and does) reach across the socio-economic divide. There cannot be equity in education without equitable access.



Brewster Kahle shares his vision and demonstrates how libraries are working to provide greater access than ever before in his 'TED Talks' presentation.


Brewster Kahle builds a free digital library - TED Talks

Let's begin...

Many years ago I came to the realisation that I am a bookworm! I nibbled on the "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" as a toddler, took a sneaky bite of "Flowers in the Attic" during my teen years and now as an adult will sink my teeth into almost anything printed.

Like all bookworms, I find there is something special about books. Each book has its own personality. Many favourites are like old friends. I can become lost in a book for days at a time. My favourite home decor is an old bookcase filled with a myriad of well worm books (naturally, the top shelf holds my most precious ones).

So I've been a little reluctant to get into Ebooks. Digital books lack the whole tactile experience of a great paperback. Ok, so they've tried to emulate the sound and look of page turning, but we all know snuggling down in bed with an iPad feels a little cold. But I'm an open-minded person and willing to try new technologies. What better way to delve into digital books than to try out some of the very creative Ebooks developed for children?

Cuddling up to my littlest bookworm, we settled down in his bed and opened an Ebook for his bedtime story. It was fantastic! There were songs embedded, games to play, character voices and a whole range of things to keep him engaged. He and I enjoyed the experience very much. Unfortunately however, it was a bit too stimulating for a bedtime story! Out came the classic bedtime stories from the bookshelf as I read to him in the usual soothing and quiet tones. He still engaged with story, but in a different way - and he settled for sleep! The next morning, he woke and ran in to snuggle in my bed. Under his arm was the iPad. With a big grin he asked to read the book again. We had a lot of fun; and what better way to start the day than with reading, singing and listening to your favourite children's characters?

So I still love printed books. There'll always be a time and place for them. But digital media and Ebooks open a whole new dimension.

My journey on the path to becoming a teacher-librarian has just begun. I'm excited about combining my passion for education and teaching with my love of the printed text (both traditional and digital).

Two of my favourite children's digital books are Toy Story Read-Along and The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore both available from iTunes Store.

Other views on the advantages and disadvantages of ebooks:

• 30 Benefits of Ebooks by Epublishers Weekly
• Will online books have a role in our lives? by Mary Summerfield