Sometime librarians need to think of themselves as the teachers and other times they need to think of themselves as the students or learners. In order to be a good teacher you first need to be a good student and one can certainly not exist without the other. Librarians are currently seeing many changes taking place and will continue to see great changes in the libray enviornment. Therefore, it is important that librarians have an open mind and are willing and eager to learn.
A librarian not only will need to be a learner of the new and ever changing technology, but will also need to be a teacher and teach the administration and community of the importance of having a school librarian. As mentioned in Joyce Valenza's blog, librarians are needed now more than ever. It is up to the librarian to be clear, consise, and confident about what he/she does for the students, teachers, and for the school as a whole. Prior to all of the technology that is available today, a librarian may have been more like a clerk in assisting with checkouts, locating materials, and shelving books. However in today's setting it is important for the librarian to help the library users become effective users and producers of information. Valenza stats, "We must be able to more quickly draw a picture of what we teach and what we mearn to the learning community." I really liked her idea of creating a simplistic poster to "teach" others what a librarian teaches.
In Josh Catone's article, "What is the Future of Teaching,?" he discusses online learning verses face-to-face learning and how that may impact the furture of teaching. "A major part of the job of a good educator is to equip students with the necessary mental tools to be able to continue learning on their own," says Catone. Regardless of the technology, online learning, or other phases headed our way in the 21st century the most significant goal is to teach the students to become the best learners they can be and to be life long learners. Learning does not stop when we finsih high school, college, or even graduate school. Librarians and teachers will continue to learn and adjust to the new resources, tools, and methods that are coming their way.
Beside the continually evolving technology, various types of learning, and information literacy skills; the Common Core Standards are another facet that librarians must be able to learn themselves as well as teach to their studetns. In Sara Kelly Johns' blog she emphasizes how importance it is for a librarian to demonstrate the necessity of his/her role in implementing the Common Core Standards. As these standards are being enforced in the classroom, it is and will contine to require collaboration between teachers and librarians. This is another learning opportunity for librarians in that they will need to learn how to implement these standards. Likewise, the Common Core Standards are creating teaching situations where the librarians not only teach these standards to the students, but also teach and collaborate with the classroom teachers to incorporate these standards in the classroom. It seems that the more the standards are enforced the more collaborations among teachers that takes place.
This past year I experienced collaboration with three other classroom teachers and the librarian to work towards implementing a specific standards and assessing the outcome. This was a beneficial opportunity and was exciting to see how each teacher brought her own perspectives, lesson ideas, and results to our whole faculty study groups. This situation gave us each the chance to be a teacher and a learner. Johns' blog also suggests not to look at the Common Core Standards as a negative encumbrance, but as "…an opportunity to prove the need for a certified school librarian who teachs Common Core Skills."
During the assignment, I am reminded of some of the reading that we did for the "Advocacy and Leadership" blog at the end of June. As I mentioned earlier, it is important for the librarian to be an advocate in promoting the significance of having a school librarian and what he/she can do for the students and teachers. This type of promotion needs to be conveyed to the students, teachers, staff, parents, administrators, and community. This becomes evident in the video, "CHHS Learning Commons Part 2." Several teachers, students and even the principal give confirmation of how important a librarian is in the school. It was so inspirational to hear all the comments made by the classroom teachers, the school principal, and even a 7th grade student about how much the librarian did for and with each of them to encourage learning. As principal Rick Lane stated, "…we can encourage learning for the learning sake which is more important than anything."
As the title in chapter 2 of Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Programs indicates, it is vital that librarians are "teaching for learning." I know as a teacher, if I just try to teach a skill out of context or do not show a purpose then students are less likely to learn and be interested. On the other hand, if I can teach a skill that enables students to become a learner of the information it is more likely to be understood and gets their attention. I believe that reading is the foundation to learning and being successful. I have seen it so many times in the classroom; the students that are avid readers usually are the more successful learners. This is another instance where the librarian can function as a learner and a teacher for the students. If the librarian can "learn" what will motivate students and peak their interests then the librarian can "teach" those students that reading can be a skill for learning, development, and it can even be fun.
Librarians have many teaching opportunities and can motivate learner through the use of booktalks, displays, presentations tools, author visits, etc. The librarian is responsible for assessment to ensure that the program and lessons being taught are meeting the goals of the school. These assessments can be done in many forms and will help the librarian learn what is working and what is not working in his/ her approach. Again, it is important that the librarian is helping each and every student to become a lifelong learner.
Physical space, virtual space, and the collection of materials available in the library can also influence and affect students' learning. It is beneficial to have flexible hours for the library and to encourage students and teachers to use the library when it is convenient for them. I know in some school it is discouraged to send students to the library when the librarian is teaching a class. That is a struggle for me. If a student is wanting to come to the library to look for a good book to read or needs to do some research for an assignment that is exciting and should be encouraged. Similarly, it is important to create a virtual space that students can access after school hours from home at their convenience. If students want to come to the library and/or use the library's virtual space then that means the librarian is doing his/her job, creating a learner.
In addition to the spaces and collection, Woolls says, "The expansion of resources into technology formats available to users in libraries, schools, offices, and homes requires a new version for management of information." Along with the other responsibilities, the librarian must also remember to teach students about plagiarism and how to correctly use information that is accessed. Properly and continually building, weeding, and maintaining materials and equipment will undoubtedly make sure that students and teachers have access to a rich amount of resources and information.
Finally, all of these readings and video have made be aware of the many hats that a librarian must wear and be willing to change frequently. I have heard it said many times that librarians have an easy job. Unfortunately, I shared that same opinion some time ago. Once I began my pursuit in becoming a LMS, my opinion has definitely changed and I now believe that a librarian has one of the most fascinating and highly significant jobs in the whole school. In chapter 10, Woolls help us recognize the many roles that a librarian has and those include: understanding the various curriculum that is being taught in the building; being able to analyze, present, and utilize a variety of teaching methods; collaborating with teachers to enhance classroom learning and information literacy skills; and conducting training for teachers in the building. All of the information that I have read for this assignment definitely supports my thinking in that a librarian is a teacher and learner all in one.
Librarians are a vital part of schools and will help support and increase the learning taking place. It is up to the librarian to encourage the students, teachers, staff, administration, parents, and the community to see the significant role that a librarian has within the school. Valenza states, "What we don't need are mere clerks who guard dead paper. Librarians are too important to be a dwindling voice in our culture."
Works Cited
American Association of School Librarians. Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Programs. Chicago: AASL, 2009. Print.
Catone, Josh. "What Is the Future of Teaching?" Mashable 31 Aug. 2009. Web. 30 May 2011. <http://mashable.com/2009/08/31/online-education-teachers/>.
Johns, Sara Kelly. "'Library Skills'=Information Literacy Skills=Common Core Skills." Make Some Noise. 23 March 2012. Web. 4 June 2012. < http://blogs.slj.com/make-some-noise/2012/03/23/library-skills-information-literacy-skills-common-core-skills/#comment-31>.
Librarycommons. "CHHS Learning Commons Part 2." YouTube. YouTube, 11 Apr. 2011. Web. 01 June 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVipfjDk6A8>.
Valenza, Joyce. "Tell Me, What Do You Teach?" NeverEndingSearch 26 May 2011. Web. 27 May 2011. <http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/neverendingsearch/2011/05/26/if-they-come-for-you-what-will-you-do/>.
Woolls, Blanche. The School Library Media Manager. 4th ed. Westport, Connecticut: Libraries Unlimited, 2008. Print.
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