The Librain

Jan 20 2009

Purpose of a School Library and Librarian

8 responses so far

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8 Responses to “Purpose of a School Library and Librarian”

1.   # Erinon 20 Jan 2009 at 11:16 pm

   Hi Anne,

   Thanks for posting this– your blog and your posts on SLN are always informative.

   My vision for the school library is largely similar to yours, although I also feel that pastoral care (to a certain degree) is also part of the school librarian’s remit. I often find myself noticing patterns of behaviour which may not be recognised by teachers in lessons, as my relationship with the pupils is different. I do find that pupils are much more likely to tell me about the problems they are having, both interpersonal and issues with work. I believe that pupils see the library as a safe place to visit and I do my best to keep it that way. Obviously, this is not something that is for all school librarians, but it does work in my library.

   I look forward to reading the rest of the comments.

   Erin

2.   # The Librainon 20 Jan 2009 at 11:22 pm

   I would agree Erin that we often have a pastoral role as we often have very different relationships with students to those that they have with teaching staff. Also, the student helpers that many school librarians nurture gain a great deal from working with us.

3.   # Pennie Wilsonon 20 Jan 2009 at 11:42 pm

   Having worked as a Solo School Librarian for the last 19 years I firmly believe we are there to support everybody in the establishment, from cleaners down to SLT.
   We are, however, also there to lead (not always from the front) promoting all kinds of literacy from Emotional, Information and Reading. My major tasks are providing a current awareness service for staff,especially SLT, providing targeted reading materials for classes and encouraging reading for pleasure and purpose.
   The LRC as ‘refuge’ is traditional and should be encouraged, many students can find school overwhelming and need somewhere (comparatively) safe and peaceful. My student helpers are picked partly because they are good with people, they will chat, play TopTrumps or show off the resources to new visitors. My current LRC is awful, tho’ only 18 months old. Unfortunately I had no hand in its design so have to make do!

4.   # Kathrynon 20 Jan 2009 at 11:56 pm

   I think the key lies in the phrases “to support teaching and learning” and “whole school community”. I promote the Library (and by extension the Librarian) as a whole school resource for use by everyone. We do ourselves a disservice if we claim to be there solely for the students, as this will confirm the prejudices of those teachers who see the library as irrelevant to their work.
   It is, after all the staff we have to impress with our knowledge and skills in order to be integrated into the curriculum.

   That said I would hope that staff seeking my assistance would do so as one colleague consulting another for her expertise, rather than delegating a task for which they have no time.

   For example, when asked today if I had any printed resources on medical imaging, I put together a selection for the teacher to peruse. But if she wants photocopies of relevant pages she can arrange that for herself!

5.   # Ingrid Hopsonon 21 Jan 2009 at 2:15 am

   For me the role of the school library is as a space (both physical and virtual) where learning can happen, where information can be transformed into knowledge and understanding, where students and staff feel secure and safe and thus able to focus on the activity they have chosen “to do”. Hopefully we are able to create a space that is valued by staff and students and a place where students thoughts and opinions and values are accepted. Libraries I think should be spaces where people find answers to their questions so that they are able to be in charge of their learning and more than that their lives.
   To achieve this we need to create such a space by using our expertise as a lib manager, childrens lit specialist, information gatekeeper and most importantly a learning facilitator.
   I also hope that it is a place that students consider to be “hip and trendy” not “dull and boring”

6.   # V. Dewhurston 21 Jan 2009 at 4:33 am

   To develop independent learning – and that goes for staff too.

7.   # The Librainon 22 Jan 2009 at 4:45 am

   Thanks for these comments, I will look at the graphic again with fresh eyes and maybe try to incorporate the pastoral side.

8.   # Richard Beaudryon 26 Feb 2009 at 12:03 pm

   Hello,

   I read your request on the Joyce Valenza’s online network.

   I have two quotes on the role of teacher librarians.

   1. “It has been demonstrated that, when Teacher-Librarians and teachers work together, students achieve higher levels of literacy, reading, learning, problem-solving and technology skills.”

   (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, Section of School Libraries and Resource Centres, The School Library in Teaching and Learning for All, IFLA/UNESCO School Library manifesto.)

   2. The Teacher-Librarian is responsible for both initiating and participating in the teaching of information literacy in the context of the total curriculum, and managing the school’s information resources and services to facilitate learning/teaching.

   Teacher-librarians support: *

   • Resource-based teaching and learning
   • Individual and group research
   • Individual and group reading, viewing and listening
   • Development of lifelong learning skills
   • Development of information literacy skills
   • Development of technological skills
   • Development of media literacy skills
   • Development of the love of reading and appreciation of literature
   • Implementation and enrichment of the curriculum
   • Diverse needs and interests of the students

   * Achieving Information Literacy: Standards for School Library Programs in Canada p.24

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