TOPIC 2 THE ROLE OF THE TEACHER LIBRARIAN

Some thoughts on the role of the teacher librarian and how the teacher librarian should prioritise the roles they play in the school.
A response and some reflections on the readings of Purcell (2010), Lamb and Johnson (2008) and Herring (2007).

In defining the roles of the teacher librarian it is important to keep in mind that the role of the teacher librarian is continually changing. A task of the teacher librarian is to keep adapting to new pedagogies and the ever evolving technologies of modern day. The readings provide evidence that the role of the teacher librarian is a " multi-faceted" one and that teacher librarians should prioritise the roles they play.

My reflections on prioritising the roles of the teacher librarian:

Purcell indicates that teacher librarians perform a wide variety of roles that "serve to strengthen the entire school community" and that these roles can be identified under 5 areas ( leader role, instructional partner, information specialist, teacher and program administrator ) and he further examines how these 5 roles are interconnected and that each role needs the support of the others. Purcell indicates that information specialist is one of the roles of the teacher librarian. Lamb and Johnson however indicate that Information literacy should be the main focus of the teacher librarian and that the role of the teacher librarian can be examined in 3 overlapping views focussing on school library media specialists as technologists, as leaders of teachers and as collaborators. Herring supports the view of Lamb and Johnson by expressing that the key role of the teacher librarian is that of being an information specialist and that developing information literate students in schools is the focus of today.

What role of the teacher librarian will best support students to gain lifelong learning skills ?
What role of the teacher librarian will develop the imagination of students?
What role of the teacher librarian will enable students to become well respected and responsible citizens?
What role of the teacher librarian will develop students who are information literate?
What role of the teacher librarian will consider individual students learning and the needs of the learner?
What role of the teacher librarian will enable students to learn how to read so that they can read to learn everything else?
How does the tools and learners of today affect the role of the teacher librarian taking into consideration the access to technology in individual schools?

The librarian is a teacher. As a teacher the librarian in a school will evaluate the learning and information needs of the students and provide quality teaching experiences to suit those needs taking into consideration the needs of the individual. The school library is not an isolated part of the school but instead a vital part of the educational process and a vital part of the whole school program involved with the teaching and learning process. The development of information literate students in schools is essential and therefore an essential role of the teacher librarian is to teach students to become critical and accomplished researchers who can reflect and evaluate their own learning. Should Teaching be at the forefront of the roles of the teacher librarian?

Sam's first ever blog!

My first ever blog entry. How truly exciting is this! Does this mean I am a blogger, a blogerologist or just another member of modern day blogology? Whatever term it may be I am pleased to say that I am stepping completely out of my comfort zone and entering modern day. So here I go......out with the old and in with the new......

INTRODUCTION

My name is Samantha ( preferably Sam ) and I come from a beautiful seaside suburb in one of the more northern suburbs of Wollongong. My husband and I made the sea change about 5 years ago and we have never looked back. My family means everything to me. It consists of dedicated and hard working hubby, sporty and clever master 1, confident and hilarious master 2 and a shy miss who displays a worldly withitness. Oh and there is the fluffy mutt who loves each and everyone of us. My hubby and I have these terrific kids who are healthy, joyous, happy and fantastic company. I feel truly blessed.

CAREER BACKGROUND:

I'll keep this brief to spare the details and alleviate any risk of unnecessary boredom. I graduated from the University of Wollongong after a 4 year Bachelor of Education degree and a stint of prac teaching in Malaysia. The next 2 years involved casual teaching in a variety of local schools. The following year I was offered a 12 month block in a school and 13ish years later here I am in the same school. Which leads me to the new adventure of TL!

BECOMING A TL

This year is the beginning of a new and exciting adventure for me. Currently I have been working as a TL for 6 weeks. This is great for me. I have always visualized and perhaps even dreamt of becoming a teacher librarian and now here I am living the dream. Yeah for me!

At this point there is a degree of nervousness in terms of the enormity of the learning required with the new position and with successfully completing the Post Graduate Certificate at CSU. Yes, this will be a busy year and yes, I am already enjoying the challenge.

A requirement of the TL studies is to create a blog. My blog entries are designed to be a record of what I have learnt along the way and will enable me to reflect on thoughts about Teacher Librarians.

REFLECTIONS THUS FAR!
What are the roles of the Teacher Librarian? The following are my first initial thoughts on the roles of the TL:
1. To work collaboratively with teachers to support quality teaching
2. Create an interesting learning environment
3. Promote the love of reading
4. Encourage children to borrow books
5. Teach children effective  research techniques
6. Provide assistance to teachers and children when borrowing books
7. Maintain a library collection pertinent  to the needs of the school and community
8. Organise special days (ie Book Week celebrations).
9. Undertake professional development to attain the knowledge and skills necessary for ongoing professional practice.
My final thoughts on the role of the TL........The TL is a provider of worthwhile library and information programs which enable teachers and children to become life long learners.