"Are school librarians an endangered species?"

The take home message that I received after listening to these 5 leaders is a message that has revitalised my belief that teacher librarians are an essential and integral part of a school community. Teacher librarians are a necessity within a school community and need to be assertive in expressing their importance within a school. Several of these leaders stated that TL’s are not and will not be extinct as they are experts in their profession of information and learning. Students will need TL’s to help them critically understand digital forms of information and digital citizenship. It is also important for the TL to continually evolve as technology does.

 

http://www.ala.org/aasl/knowledgequest/30second/JanFeb12

The Role of a TL

• How should TLs prioritise the roles they play in the school?

Only from these readings have I formed the following opinion. I believe that the priority of a TL is the educational needs of the students based at that school.

• Are there other roles played by TLs, e.g. social roles?

TL’s along with other teachers do play other significant roles including but limited to: welfare, mentoring, mediator and ambassador to their students and school.

• How do Lamb's views on the TL's role compare and contrast with those of Herring and Purcell? 

In this post I hope to successfully identify similarities between Lamb, Herring and Purcell’s Teacher Librarian roles. Below is a list of similarities that I have identified in these readings:

·         Working collaboratively

·         Student centred learning

·         Professional development

·         Inquiry based research

·         Increased focus on information literacy rather than reading for leisure

·         Storage of information

·         Curriculum and program design

·         All make reference to the standard of ‘lifelong learners’

My ability to critically analyse text is well off par. I hope that throughout this course that it will develop to a satisfactory level. I also find this shortfall of mine embarrassing and frustrating as I am an educator and I fell that I should be better at this. A work in progress.

• What existing tasks/roles do you think you as a TL could give up in order to be as proactive as Lamb and Valenza want you to be?

Through these readings I was unable to identify specifically the emphasis to be proactive. I did however gather from these reading that due to the ever changing dynamics of information and technology there is an emphasis on TL's to  actively engage in professional development to meet the information needs and demands of their students. Therefore, from my limited understanding of this topic so for, TL's could outsource administrative jobs to increase time for the development of programs and course content that enable students of all abilities to participate in inquiry based activities.

The teacher librarian: role statements and standards

As I am currently on paternity leave I am unable to view the role statement and make comparisons. It will be interesting to make comparison, as the library runs like a well oiled machine
and undoubtedly contains several similarities.

Database and using folders

Database and using folders
Browsed through databases and found the tutorials very helpful, which I will refer to in the future. There is a plethora of information. I have opened an account with EBSCOHost and created new folder in both EBSCOHost and Primo thanks to the informative tutorials.

Time management and negotiation

Time Management
In my case, organising set time to complete tasks would benefit me professionally and allow me to be more productive. I'm currently working between three faculties and sitting down at the end of each day to plan for the next day sounds just too simple. I hope this simple task will be effective.

Negotiation:
There are a few staff members that display effective skills in negotiating at the school I'm employed at. One in particular has  unknowingly been a mentor of mine. We have clashed numerous times about particular issues and on several occasions my stubbornness has resulted in me leaving with a bad taste in my mouth. It isn't until I'm at home reflecting on the day that I realise that if he wasn't effective in his ability to manage conflict things may have ended on a sour note (staying with the oral theme). I believe that I'm a better teacher and person due to these conflicts being so well managed by my cohort. We now enjoy a  beverage and a yarn together on a regular occasions.

Other influential colleagues appear to set goals and time to tasks. From my observation these colleagues are also flexible with goals and time.

Interesting Information from Richard Fidler

http://www.abc.net.au/local/sites/conversations/?ref=nav

Canadian scientists Bruce Lourie and Rick Smith conducted an experiment where they poisoned themselves in the name of science.

http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/07/30/3814042.htm

ETL401 Teacher Librarianship Topic 1

Introduction

 The Future of Libraries: Beginning the Great Transformation:
Libraries = Preservation of information and knowledge

Slide show by Pew Internet Research Centre:
Very interesting research, one can only imagine what technological advancements will occur in the future in regards to information transfer and storage. Below are two interesting clips about future trends and technology.

How libraries are  Reinventing Themselves for the Future:
Concerns about funding for libraries worrying but it is always a pleasure to read about people who are trying to find different solutions.