The Complexities of the TL's Role
Theme 2 explores the components of supporting references including, the strategies required to manage the reference collection and how to evaluate reference services. It also discusses the realities and challenges in school setting including providing references on a limited budget, analyzing the collection and the role of TLs in reference services.
It has been almost 15 years since I taught in Canada and the group's discussions provided me with food for thought about the role of libraries in the public school system compare to private International IB schools.
Budgets
One difference is the budget restraints. The public systems rely on Government funding and unfortunately education always seems to be one of the first places that is cut. Once school systems feel the financial pinch one of the first places they cut are extra services such as libraries. This seems completely contradictory to what should be happening. Schools are about education and developing informed critical thinking citizens. Education is about learning and information literacy which is exactly what a library is all about. Therefore, shouldn't a library be the last place to cut back funding. However, in many international schools, finance doesn't seem to be as big of an issue as the are privately funded. The bigger issue in the international schools that I have taught in has been space. Both schools were in old buildings which the student population has outgrown. The new schools that were built put a great deal of emphasis on the library space not only for information literacy but also to creation. Even with our limited space we are trying to bring robotics, circuits, 3D printing and digital drawing into the library space.
Role of Teacher Librarians
The article Ideal libraries: A guide for schools by the IBO, uses the 6+1 Framework on page 4 to describe the role of the librarian.
Graphic create in Canva
I found this model inclusive of all the elements described in theme 2 in an easy to follow and simplified manner. Even though this model is not specific to references it is still a useful model when understanding the complexity of the role of a teacher librarian.
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I would love to come and visit your library, because it seems to be so well-stocked. It would be nice to see what a school with a healthy budget has been able to create in their library. I know it's a different situation in a small elementary public school, but it would be interesting to see what can happen when budget isn't such a big barrier. Thanks for sharing!
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ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing another framework that I hadn't seen! I'm interested to read and compare with the CLA's Leading Learning document and the BCTLA's From School Library to Learning Commons. At a glance, I'm interested to see a section on "Misinterpreting the role of the library/librarian." It's good to name this "misinterpreting" and be loud and clear in advocating against it!
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