Advocacy is a necessary component of a school library program for many reasons. Not only is advocacy is a way that school librarians can demonstrate to their patrons the various resources available through the library, but it is also important way for school librarians to gather together a community who will support them in times of financial crisis. "For school library media programs to be given the appropriate high priority in funding and staffing plans, an advocacy program must be developed, implemented, and kept on the alert" (Woolls, 2008, p.189). When cuts to education hit schools, it is important that teacher librarians are prepared to demonstrate the value the library has to the school community.
Advocacy can take place in many forms, and towards many people. A school librarian is responsible for meeting the library needs for all members of their school community-- this extends beyond just students and teachers, but also includes all members of the staff or community volunteers. The more people who are able to use library resources, the greater impact the school library will be having on that school community.
Obviously, school librarians are more aware of the resources they offer than anybody else. Advocacy can take place through the publicizing of new resources-- both print and electronic. Not only will this help patrons to become aware of the resources that the library provides, but it will get some patrons excited about new materials, and also keep the library on the school community's radar. If patrons are unaware of the resources available to them, these resources will not be used. An unused resource is a waste of money, regardless of how potentially useful that resource could be. Therefore, school librarians need to make sure that their patrons understand that these tools are available and also how these tools can be helpful in their lives.
Various members of the school community will need different forms of advocacy, but a strong library program will advocate for itself through a variety of formats. The librarians in my district have been brainstorming groups of people we would like to target some outside advocacy to. We have come to appreciate the value of social organizations. There are a plethora of social groups devoted to the improvement of community resources. It is important for school communities to reach out and partner up with local organizations. The discussion has caused us to realize that sometimes we must look for benefactors outside of the communities in which our schools reside. This is especially the case for lower income neighborhoods. While these neighborhoods may have less resources available to them, outside parties are oftentimes more likely to contribute to schools in economically depressed locations. This brings the importance of library advocacy to even greater levels.
There are many challenges that face the modern school librarian. It is difficult to advocate for the library when many teachers are already overworked and underpaid. This means that librarians must sometimes play the cheerleader, trying to remind the school community how sunny and personally relevant the school library is to the community.
Woolls, B. (2008). The School Library Media Manager. Westport: Libraries Unlimited.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Censorship
Censorship is an issue that people usually feel strongly about, one way or another. It is one teacher librarians must deal with delicately, yet firmly. I have begun to experience small places where the school community unconsciously requests censorship. There was a problem with boys and some cards related to a popular manga cartoon. The principal asked me to remove a different set of manga books from the library-- as he didn't want to encourage the problem. The children, however, still go home and watch the t.v. show that created the initial problem. The content of the books is not too mature for the students, but the books were still removed. This happens because people understand, and fear, the power of books.
This can cultivate a culture of fear that relates to student selection of information. This extends beyond books, to any of the information kids receive. The concept of censorship is a double edged sword-- while as a librarian I feel I must vehemently fight to protect patrons right to information access, as a parent I feel that there are certain materials I do not want my child exposed to. A school librarian sits in a delicate position, balanced between parental desires, district influences, and their own personal beliefs regarding student access. Librarians need to carefully consider how they will deal with these multiple, often conflicting demands. "Make sure your school has a written selection policy and reconsideration policy that addresses written challenges to books" (Whelan, 2009). Make sure you are prepared.
Oftentimes, we begin to censor certain materials unconsciously, simply by choosing not to purchase them for the collection. School librarians need to assess their school communities and the ways that certain concepts are consciously and unconsciously included and left out from the collective culture. Librarians must pay attention to the biases inherent in their collections and decide which topics are the most important to add. For example, I have had seven girls ask me to get the Twilight books, which I am not convinced are appropriate for an elementary school. I had two students ask for a book on the Muslim holiday, Eid, which led me to realize that we didn't have many good books related to the Muslim culture. This felt like a much more important topic to address than the Twilight series-- even though Twilight is more popular. I feel good about the choice I made, but nonetheless, it was a conscious choice of how to spend the library's money-- and how not to. Each time we make a purchase or weed our collections, we are making choices regarding the content that will be available to patrons. It is important to think critically about these processes so that we can defend our choices. "If a book is age appropriate and there are students who would benefit from reading it, then removing a title based on the disapproval of its content raises a constitutional issue, says ALA’s Caldwell-Stone" (Whelan, 2009).
There are other choices being made at the district level. The San Francisco Unified School District has a very stringent block on internet sites. This makes it impossible for anybody to access these sites from a school computer. One of these sites is YouTube. Teachers and librarians are unable to show anything on YouTube-- even though there is a vast quantity of material that could promote learning. Students are creating multimedia projects and posting them on YouTube, but are unable to show them at school, because of these blocks.
Whelan, D. (2009). A dirty little secret: Self-censorship. School Library Journal. Retrieved from: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/articles/censorship/856811-341/a_dirty_little_secret_self-censorship.html.csp
This can cultivate a culture of fear that relates to student selection of information. This extends beyond books, to any of the information kids receive. The concept of censorship is a double edged sword-- while as a librarian I feel I must vehemently fight to protect patrons right to information access, as a parent I feel that there are certain materials I do not want my child exposed to. A school librarian sits in a delicate position, balanced between parental desires, district influences, and their own personal beliefs regarding student access. Librarians need to carefully consider how they will deal with these multiple, often conflicting demands. "Make sure your school has a written selection policy and reconsideration policy that addresses written challenges to books" (Whelan, 2009). Make sure you are prepared.
Oftentimes, we begin to censor certain materials unconsciously, simply by choosing not to purchase them for the collection. School librarians need to assess their school communities and the ways that certain concepts are consciously and unconsciously included and left out from the collective culture. Librarians must pay attention to the biases inherent in their collections and decide which topics are the most important to add. For example, I have had seven girls ask me to get the Twilight books, which I am not convinced are appropriate for an elementary school. I had two students ask for a book on the Muslim holiday, Eid, which led me to realize that we didn't have many good books related to the Muslim culture. This felt like a much more important topic to address than the Twilight series-- even though Twilight is more popular. I feel good about the choice I made, but nonetheless, it was a conscious choice of how to spend the library's money-- and how not to. Each time we make a purchase or weed our collections, we are making choices regarding the content that will be available to patrons. It is important to think critically about these processes so that we can defend our choices. "If a book is age appropriate and there are students who would benefit from reading it, then removing a title based on the disapproval of its content raises a constitutional issue, says ALA’s Caldwell-Stone" (Whelan, 2009).
There are other choices being made at the district level. The San Francisco Unified School District has a very stringent block on internet sites. This makes it impossible for anybody to access these sites from a school computer. One of these sites is YouTube. Teachers and librarians are unable to show anything on YouTube-- even though there is a vast quantity of material that could promote learning. Students are creating multimedia projects and posting them on YouTube, but are unable to show them at school, because of these blocks.
Whelan, D. (2009). A dirty little secret: Self-censorship. School Library Journal. Retrieved from: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/articles/censorship/856811-341/a_dirty_little_secret_self-censorship.html.csp
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
What's in a name?
The role of the school library has changed greatly throughout the past few decades. When I was in elementary school we would visit the library. By the time I was in high school, we went to visit the media center. The change in the name of the place we went to visit accompanied a change in the types of services which we were receiving. By high school, even though we were primarily only using written text, the library was home to a multitude of available media. Nonetheless, that which was available then pales in comparison to that which is available in the modern school library. As the word for the space evolved, so to did the title for the person who ran it.
I have worked for the San Francisco Unified School District for nine years. During that time I have worked at three different schools, but the school communities have all referred to me by the same title: librarian. But this is elementary school, and as the majority of my students are English Language Learners (some kids still call me Mr. instead of Ms.), I wouldn't expect them to quibble over distinctions in my title. Regardless, I find myself thinking differently about the role that I provide and consequently about the title I prefer to use.
Living in California, I have become accustomed to the title teacher librarian. I like this idea because it acknowledges the teaching aspect of the role. The job involves the instruction, not only of students, but also of the entire school community. It is up to each librarian to decide how best to serve their school community. "...the media specialist who is a true leader can manage instruction becoming a curriculim coach for teachers as well as students, while another might choose to collaborate with teaching" (Woolls, 2008, p. 22). However a librarian chooses to define their role will influence the entire school community.
With the rise of the media center, came the popularity of the term "media specialist". This term, I feel, acknowledges the changes in technology that have affected the library; it points to the fact that librarians are not just working with books, but with a wide range of sources available in numerous formats. For many years, types of technology with which we worked guided our self-definition. I feel as if this is beginning to change. Now, librarians are working to help students learn how to learn-- to become independent learners. "School library media specialists stress the elements of critical thinking that relate specifically to information literacy, such as analyze, verify, problem solve, infer, transfer, find evidence, and synthesize"(Woolls, 2008, p. 32). These skills are critical for students to receive and librarians have moved toward providing them. Does this mean that soon people will want to change the title to information literacy specialists?
The debate will continue, and there is no clear answer as to what teacher librarians ought to be called. "After a focused and extensive discussion, the AASL Board of Directors voted to adopt school librarian as the title which reflects the roles of the 21st-century school library professional as a leader, instructional partner, information specialist, teacher, and program administrator" (AASL Votes, 2010). I feel as if the title of school librarian does not fully depict the many aspects of the job. However, the title is just a title. The critical work that we do means so much more.
"adopt_aasl," American Library Association, January 16, 2010.
http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2010/january2010/adopt_aasl.cfm (Accessed October 06, 2010)
Document ID: 573600
Woolls, B. (2008). The school library media manager. Westport: Libraries Unlimited.
I have worked for the San Francisco Unified School District for nine years. During that time I have worked at three different schools, but the school communities have all referred to me by the same title: librarian. But this is elementary school, and as the majority of my students are English Language Learners (some kids still call me Mr. instead of Ms.), I wouldn't expect them to quibble over distinctions in my title. Regardless, I find myself thinking differently about the role that I provide and consequently about the title I prefer to use.
Living in California, I have become accustomed to the title teacher librarian. I like this idea because it acknowledges the teaching aspect of the role. The job involves the instruction, not only of students, but also of the entire school community. It is up to each librarian to decide how best to serve their school community. "...the media specialist who is a true leader can manage instruction becoming a curriculim coach for teachers as well as students, while another might choose to collaborate with teaching" (Woolls, 2008, p. 22). However a librarian chooses to define their role will influence the entire school community.
With the rise of the media center, came the popularity of the term "media specialist". This term, I feel, acknowledges the changes in technology that have affected the library; it points to the fact that librarians are not just working with books, but with a wide range of sources available in numerous formats. For many years, types of technology with which we worked guided our self-definition. I feel as if this is beginning to change. Now, librarians are working to help students learn how to learn-- to become independent learners. "School library media specialists stress the elements of critical thinking that relate specifically to information literacy, such as analyze, verify, problem solve, infer, transfer, find evidence, and synthesize"(Woolls, 2008, p. 32). These skills are critical for students to receive and librarians have moved toward providing them. Does this mean that soon people will want to change the title to information literacy specialists?
The debate will continue, and there is no clear answer as to what teacher librarians ought to be called. "After a focused and extensive discussion, the AASL Board of Directors voted to adopt school librarian as the title which reflects the roles of the 21st-century school library professional as a leader, instructional partner, information specialist, teacher, and program administrator" (AASL Votes, 2010). I feel as if the title of school librarian does not fully depict the many aspects of the job. However, the title is just a title. The critical work that we do means so much more.
"adopt_aasl," American Library Association, January 16, 2010.
http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2010/january2010/adopt_aasl.cfm (Accessed October 06, 2010)
Document ID: 573600
Woolls, B. (2008). The school library media manager. Westport: Libraries Unlimited.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
The mission of the modern school library
What is the mission of the modern school library and how do the mission's relate to the common beliefs? After class discussion, and your thoughts last week how have your reactions to the common beliefs changed (maybe they haven't). If you had to write a mission statement what do you think would be important to include?
After reading numerous mission statements for various school libraries, I began to consider why it was that none of the school libraries I have worked in had a mission statement. At one of the schools where I used to work, it felt like we would create a new school-wide mission statement almost every year. Nothing was ever done with the mission statement, and so the creation of it didn't feel relevant to me. Consequently, I had never thought to write a mission statement for the libraries where I work now.
Reading the mission statements for other school libraries left me wondering a little bit. In an elementary school setting, what is the purpose of creating a mission statement? Who is the intended audience? In the schools where I have worked, I have come across only a handful of parents who would search out the library's website in order to read a library mission statement...but there are a handful. There are a few students, also, who would read it, just because I put it up there. Actually, it seems like it would mostly be for myself, to guide myself, an opportunity for reflection on personal goals, to acknowledge that which I am already doing, and to discover directions to improve the quality of services students receive in the library. Ultimately, it would be for the whole community, for any students, parents, teachers, administrators, neighbors, government representatives, researchers, fellow librarians, or students in library sciences, who might benefit from having the purpose of a particular community library being public to that community.
So, the way I am choosing to describe the mission of the modern school library is to create a mission statement for the two school libraries that I run. The two schools are located near one another, have many similarities, and I feel like the mission of the two libraries would be the same--even if some of the goals I have for each site are slightly different.
************************************************************************************
Mission Statement for _____________ Elementary School Library:
To nurture a passion for reading and learning through the introduction of quality resources and instruction.
To encourage staff and students to become effective users of technology and information.
To celebrate the rich diversity of the planet in a space that is safe for all students and staff to inquire, explore, discover, analyze, synthesize, collaborate and create.
***************************************************************************************
Okay, so now after taking a first attempt at a mission statement, let's look back at AASL's 9 Common Beliefs..
1. Reading is a window to the world.
2. Inquiry provides a framework for learning.
3. Ethical behavior in the use of information must be taught.
4. Technology skills are crucial for future employment needs.
5. Equitable access is a key component for education.
6. The definition of information literacy has become more complex as resources
and technologies have changed.
7. The continuing expansion of information demands that all individuals acquire
the thinking skills that will enable them to learn on their own.
8. Learning has a social context.
9. School libraries are essential to the development of learning skills” (ALA).
Re-reading those, I think that I tried to reflect some of the same concepts in the mission statement. I wish I could include all of them, but a mission statement that is too long doesn't work as well. I do feel as if the 9 Common Beliefs are a strong guide in the consideration of the mission of the school library itself. The modern library needs to herald to the community that there is a space where people can learn to use technology to acquire, analyze, assimilate and create knowledge.
After reading numerous mission statements for various school libraries, I began to consider why it was that none of the school libraries I have worked in had a mission statement. At one of the schools where I used to work, it felt like we would create a new school-wide mission statement almost every year. Nothing was ever done with the mission statement, and so the creation of it didn't feel relevant to me. Consequently, I had never thought to write a mission statement for the libraries where I work now.
Reading the mission statements for other school libraries left me wondering a little bit. In an elementary school setting, what is the purpose of creating a mission statement? Who is the intended audience? In the schools where I have worked, I have come across only a handful of parents who would search out the library's website in order to read a library mission statement...but there are a handful. There are a few students, also, who would read it, just because I put it up there. Actually, it seems like it would mostly be for myself, to guide myself, an opportunity for reflection on personal goals, to acknowledge that which I am already doing, and to discover directions to improve the quality of services students receive in the library. Ultimately, it would be for the whole community, for any students, parents, teachers, administrators, neighbors, government representatives, researchers, fellow librarians, or students in library sciences, who might benefit from having the purpose of a particular community library being public to that community.
So, the way I am choosing to describe the mission of the modern school library is to create a mission statement for the two school libraries that I run. The two schools are located near one another, have many similarities, and I feel like the mission of the two libraries would be the same--even if some of the goals I have for each site are slightly different.
************************************************************************************
Mission Statement for _____________ Elementary School Library:
To nurture a passion for reading and learning through the introduction of quality resources and instruction.
To encourage staff and students to become effective users of technology and information.
To celebrate the rich diversity of the planet in a space that is safe for all students and staff to inquire, explore, discover, analyze, synthesize, collaborate and create.
***************************************************************************************
Okay, so now after taking a first attempt at a mission statement, let's look back at AASL's 9 Common Beliefs..
1. Reading is a window to the world.
2. Inquiry provides a framework for learning.
3. Ethical behavior in the use of information must be taught.
4. Technology skills are crucial for future employment needs.
5. Equitable access is a key component for education.
6. The definition of information literacy has become more complex as resources
and technologies have changed.
7. The continuing expansion of information demands that all individuals acquire
the thinking skills that will enable them to learn on their own.
8. Learning has a social context.
9. School libraries are essential to the development of learning skills” (ALA).
Re-reading those, I think that I tried to reflect some of the same concepts in the mission statement. I wish I could include all of them, but a mission statement that is too long doesn't work as well. I do feel as if the 9 Common Beliefs are a strong guide in the consideration of the mission of the school library itself. The modern library needs to herald to the community that there is a space where people can learn to use technology to acquire, analyze, assimilate and create knowledge.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
The 9 Common Beliefs from AASL Learning Standards
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The nine common beliefs from the AASL Learning Standards brought to mind many intriguing ideas. They all tie in with student learning, which in itself demonstrates the belief held by librarians that student use of the school media center is an educational experience that transcends the traditional read-aloud. Each individual belief addresses a different way that students can improve their educational experience. I found the combination, as a whole, to reflect a number of values that I hold dear to my heart. I agree with them wholeheartedly. While initially the nine common beliefs seemed to be quite different from one another, they build upon one another to create a complete vision for the opportunities available through the school media center.
I feel a deep connection to the first belief (1. Reading is a window to the world.). I have traveled to many places where children are do not have the resources that are available to my students. In each of these places, books have been held with the highest regards. Students realize that they must read in order to truly be able to participate in the new, global society. As technology has become more pervasive, the reasons why reading is essential are beginning to change. While reading has long been considered a necessary component of a first-class education, it is also a powerful tool in communication that is not face-to-face. With the widespread dissemination of technology, more and more of our interactions take place through the computer. While there are programs that can read text out loud, the process is slow and awkward. When a user performs a Google search, the page of links appears on the screen, and users skim the page to determine where to focus their attention. This requires not only the ability to read, but also the skills discussed in the second common belief: inquiry provides a framework for learning. The users must be able to look at a page, quickly read it, and analyze instantly, making judgments and assessments as to the relevance of each link to that which they are attempting to do.
The third belief: ethical behavior must be taught, is of utmost importance in this new era. As cyber bullying has spread across the country and the need for children to learn to protect their privacy online has become an imperative, students need role models to teach them how to navigate this new educational landscape. These tie in together with the fourth belief: technology skills are crucial for future employment needs. If we fail to instruct our students not only in the use of technology, but the safe and socially responsible use of technology we are destroying their opportunity to be able to thrive in the new global economy. This makes the fifth belief all the more important; equitable access is a key component for education. As we have already determined that the abilities to read, inquire and safely and ethically use technology opens many doors that will remain closed to students who do not have the talents. Therefore, it is imperative that we provide that opportunity to all people. Knowledge does not belong to any one individual. It is a treasure that must be shared.
Schools are struggling to improve students’ scores on mandatory examinations, and teachers as struggling to meet all of the educational needs of students. Librarians sit poised to provide the training in information literacy skills. We understand, better than most, that the concept of information literacy has evolved greatly since its’ inception (Belief 6: The definition of information literacy has become more complex as resources and technologies have changed). This is because librarians have seen that transition change the ways and means through which services are provided to patrons. The new complexities in the idea of information literacy are, in fact, some of the most exciting developments in the modern library. Librarians are in the process of creating a new way to manage the availability of information. This information must be sifted through, assessed and examined by each individual to see if it is relevant to their personal schema (Belief 7: The continuing expansion of information demands that all individuals acquire the thinking skills that will enable them to learn on their own). They must be able to understand and evaluate information to determine how that information ought to be used.
The eighth belief: learning has a social context, speaks directly to the explosion in the number of social networking sites. Knowledge is no longer a static thing. Instead it is shared, examined, and re-mixed for use in a variety of ways. The world is working together to create new understandings every day. All of these reasons bring us back to the heart of our belief system: School libraries are essential to the development of learning skills. We, as librarians, are responsible to the patrons whom which we serve. We must provide each and every one with the opportunity to use skills and tools that will transform their lives.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
The Role of the School Library
Describe your current understanding of the role and mission of school libraries. What are/have been your experiences with school libraries and how has this colored your understandings of what a school's library is and should be?
My memories of my own elementary school library are limited. In fact, there are only two. I remember sitting in the library watching the Challenger space shuttle disaster. The class sat in awe, first at the glory of the launch, and then at the horrible fate that met the crew. My other memory of my elementary school library is of the book fair. I was delighted to have so many exciting materials available for my perusal.
As I reflect on the memories from my elementary school library, I am a bit disappointed that I don't remember more. I was a voracious reader, spent each weekend at the public library, and I have an excellent memory. What this signifies to me is that my elementary library experiences were rather unremarkable. As I consider the role of the school library, I like to believe that what I do makes a difference in the lives of the children that I serve. I hope that as they look back on their elementary careers, their experiences in the library will stand out more than mine have.
This is my ninth year as an elementary school librarian. I have tried to create a bright, inviting safe space for students to gather. I began working in an elementary school in an economically depressed area that suffers from gang violence. After arriving in November, I learned that the school library had not yet been opened for the school year. The first day I opened it up at recess for all students who wanted to visit. I counted 96 kids that first day. Students raced around the room, thrilled to be allowed to visit. After eight years at that school, there was no doubt that the library once again belonged to the students. Funding was cut, and it was time for me to move on. The next two years were spent with students who were quiet and respectful. I had to challenge myself to find ways to get the students to participate. The library space, which is dominated by a computer lab only has one small table for people to sit at. That space, which was built to be the library, has also been used as a science lab and as a classroom. The place that students come to visit me in the library is actually a large closet off to the side of the room.
The variety between the experiences that I have had, both as a student and as a teacher-librarian, have led to me realize a couple of things. First of all, in all three of the experiences I described, the library was not honored as a community resource. They were barely used as school resources. The second thing this causes me to acknowledge is that the people who were left with the charge of maintaining this space were not doing their jobs. Libraries need representatives who will stand up and fight for their importance. With the rise of the Internet, it will become increasingly easier for schools to neglect libraries that do not make efforts to stay relevant to their learning communities.
School libraries exist as a resource for teachers and students alike. The traditional elementary school library was a place that students came to to listen to stories and check out books. By high school classes no longer came into the library for weekly visits, but instead to learn research skills and to put them into practice. In that sense, the high school library was a information storage facility. Until widespread usage of the Internet became the norm, students didn't have many places to go to find information. They could go to their school library or their public library. Either way, librarians were the gatekeepers to the information that students needed. Now, students will find the majority of their information through the Internet and are more independent in the search for that information. They do not, however, necessarily have the skills to effectively perform those searches. This is one way that librarians can prove their worth. Classroom teachers are completely bogged down with standardized curriculum and mandates. School librarians who do not have these same obligations have the ability to meet the new information literacy needs of students. This is where I see the role of the modern school library. If, as teacher-librarians we are able to find ways to use the school library space to make learning relevant by connecting it to the technological tools that have become embedded in the lives of our students, then we will be bridging the gap between what students learn and how they learn it.
My memories of my own elementary school library are limited. In fact, there are only two. I remember sitting in the library watching the Challenger space shuttle disaster. The class sat in awe, first at the glory of the launch, and then at the horrible fate that met the crew. My other memory of my elementary school library is of the book fair. I was delighted to have so many exciting materials available for my perusal.
As I reflect on the memories from my elementary school library, I am a bit disappointed that I don't remember more. I was a voracious reader, spent each weekend at the public library, and I have an excellent memory. What this signifies to me is that my elementary library experiences were rather unremarkable. As I consider the role of the school library, I like to believe that what I do makes a difference in the lives of the children that I serve. I hope that as they look back on their elementary careers, their experiences in the library will stand out more than mine have.
This is my ninth year as an elementary school librarian. I have tried to create a bright, inviting safe space for students to gather. I began working in an elementary school in an economically depressed area that suffers from gang violence. After arriving in November, I learned that the school library had not yet been opened for the school year. The first day I opened it up at recess for all students who wanted to visit. I counted 96 kids that first day. Students raced around the room, thrilled to be allowed to visit. After eight years at that school, there was no doubt that the library once again belonged to the students. Funding was cut, and it was time for me to move on. The next two years were spent with students who were quiet and respectful. I had to challenge myself to find ways to get the students to participate. The library space, which is dominated by a computer lab only has one small table for people to sit at. That space, which was built to be the library, has also been used as a science lab and as a classroom. The place that students come to visit me in the library is actually a large closet off to the side of the room.
The variety between the experiences that I have had, both as a student and as a teacher-librarian, have led to me realize a couple of things. First of all, in all three of the experiences I described, the library was not honored as a community resource. They were barely used as school resources. The second thing this causes me to acknowledge is that the people who were left with the charge of maintaining this space were not doing their jobs. Libraries need representatives who will stand up and fight for their importance. With the rise of the Internet, it will become increasingly easier for schools to neglect libraries that do not make efforts to stay relevant to their learning communities.
School libraries exist as a resource for teachers and students alike. The traditional elementary school library was a place that students came to to listen to stories and check out books. By high school classes no longer came into the library for weekly visits, but instead to learn research skills and to put them into practice. In that sense, the high school library was a information storage facility. Until widespread usage of the Internet became the norm, students didn't have many places to go to find information. They could go to their school library or their public library. Either way, librarians were the gatekeepers to the information that students needed. Now, students will find the majority of their information through the Internet and are more independent in the search for that information. They do not, however, necessarily have the skills to effectively perform those searches. This is one way that librarians can prove their worth. Classroom teachers are completely bogged down with standardized curriculum and mandates. School librarians who do not have these same obligations have the ability to meet the new information literacy needs of students. This is where I see the role of the modern school library. If, as teacher-librarians we are able to find ways to use the school library space to make learning relevant by connecting it to the technological tools that have become embedded in the lives of our students, then we will be bridging the gap between what students learn and how they learn it.
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