The Ever-changing World of Teacher Librarianship
Much education today is monumentally ineffective. All too often we are giving young people cut flowers when we should be teaching them to grow their own plants. ~John W. Gardner
The education system and the libraries within our schools must evolve and grow to give our students the best possible advantages in this ever-changing world. Our libraries are no longer the quiet receptacles of novels and reference materials of the past but exciting centers of learning and engagement for our students and fellow teachers. The following three article discussions highlight the theme of the ever-changing education system and libraries that need to be embraced for the betterment of our students.
In the article “5 Myths About The Information Age” by Robert Darton of The Chronicle of Higher Education the false misconceptions of the information age are discussed and debated for the reader to ponder. Darton suggests that there are 5 myths that cloud or judgement in the idea of cyberspace. The myths are “The book is dead”, We have entered the information age”, “All information is now available online”, “Libraries are obsolete”, and “The future is digital”. These myths favour predominantly in our libraries for the belief that to be current and beneficial to our students we must completely change ourselves. Below I will discuss two of these myths and how the factor into our lives.
The book is not dead, if it were we would be out of jobs. According to Darton more books now than ever before are being produced in the traditional format, ebooks, and micro-niche self publications[1]. This is good news for us librarians considering the books are at the core of our business. What would a library be without books and resources? It is our job as librarians to provide the best possible resources and access to resources to our clients and to help them with their endeavours. The second claim that I wish to address is that libraries are not dead. Darton claims that library patron ship is up and that librarians are as busy as ever in their task as keeper of resources and helper to clients in need[2]. This is means that our jobs are secure as there will always be a need for an individual to interact within the library setting and help pick out resources to be interacted with.
Darton’s article on the myths of the information can bring comfort to librarians everywhere. With the fears that the information age is pushing books and librarians into obsoleteness this article brings forth the argument that the need is still there only partially modified. This modification is needed so the we as librarian can be current and best aid our clientele.
The second article to be reviewed is “Towards a Learning Commons: My Journey; Your Journey” from the Teacher Librarian. In this article Bruce White talks about his journey from the traditional library of the past to the school library of the 21st century. White states libraries have changed and that we must change with it “The shift has been from learning information to knowledge creation, collaboration, sharing, and publishing”.[3]Our libraries must evolve to meet the needs of our students and to prepare them for their future. Throughout the article White makes observances of what he has done and what we as teacher librarians can do to turn the library of the past to the learning commons of the future.
Some of the suggestions that White makes in his article include exploring a new vision and transforming your expertise and transforming the libraries physical space and resources. White tells us that we must change our idea of what it means to be a librarian and work in a library and our capabilities as well. White states that we must “approach learning and information from a collaborative perspective... be more flexible and responsive to the need of clients: students, teachers, and the community”[4]. Our libraries must no longer be receptacles of resources but change into areas of learning where new technologies are integrated into our services provided[5]. We need to add new resources such as “more computers, interactive web pages, and ... ebooks”[6] to our resources. White gives the analogy that we as teacher librarians are to provide a well stocked kitchen for our clients, one that they may create and dish imaginable.[7]
If we follow White’s advice our libraries and clients will be able to work in a 21st century environment, one which can provide any resource needed for them to be successful. Teacher librarians will need to gain the expertise needed to facilitate this change to make us relevant and so that we can provide the best possible services to our clients. Transforming our libraries into a learning commons should be a priority if it has not already started to take place.
The last article to be discussed will be “Concord-Carlisle Transition to a Learning Commons” by Robin Cicchetti for the Teacher Librarian. In this article Cicchetti documents her progress from the old school library to a learning commons. She provides a blue print for other libraries to follow and transform themselves into a learning commons with examples from her experience at Concord-Carlisle Regional High school in Boston. The ideas discussed can easily be adapted and influence other libraries. By following the examples and advice given in this article the libraries of the past will turn into the learning commons of the future.
Cicchetti brings up topics such as reinventing ourselves, and fixing the space. These two topics can be the stepping stones to a learning commons. By reinventing ourselves to the job position of library media specialist and student services specialist encompasses the idea that it would reflect that the content area would change to information and media specialist that is needed in the new interactive library commons[8]. The student service specialist of our job would cover “books, databases, web resources, online training, and tutorials. By changing our ideas about what our job description is means that we can adapt and be relevant in school culture. Cicchetti suggests that we need to fix our spaces by weeding out unused and outdated materials and creating an inviting space for collaboration and instruction and technology[9]. If we get rid of old material, bring in programs and up to date resources, and make an appealing space our clients will benefit and use our spaces more effectively.
Cicchetti’s article demonstrates how an underused space can be turned back into the hub of the school. The library can be turned into a learning commons where the school community can work together, explore resources, and live. This article can inspire teacher librarian to the possibility of what may be accomplished to keep us and our spaces relevant.
In reading these article the teacher librarian can be inspired by what can be accomplished over a period of time with the support of the teaching community and the interest of our students. These articles demonstrate that the job of the teacher librarian is still relevant even if it is somewhat modified. Our spaces of instruction and resources need to be changed to fit the world that we live in for the benefit of our clients and us. In this new environment and with a change in the teacher librarian job we can inspire our students to take chances and make connections preparing them for the ever-changing world.
Works Cited
Cicchetti, Robin. “Concord-Carlisle Transitions to a Learning Commons.” Teacher Librarian February (2010): 53-58.
Darnton, Robert. "5 Myths About the 'Information Age' - The Chronicle Review - The Chronicle of Higher Education." Home - The Chronicle of Higher Education. 17 Apr. 2011. Web. 19 Apr. 2011. <http://chronicle.com/article/5-Myths-About-the-Information/127105/>.
White, Bruce. “Toward a Learning Commons: My Journey; Your Journey.” Teacher Librarian February (2011): 27-30.
[1] Darton, Robert. “5 Myths About the Information Age.” The Chronicle of Higher Education. 17, April, 2011. 19, April, 2011 < http://chronicle.com/article/5-Myths-About-the-Information/127105/ >.
[2] [2] Darton, Robert.
[3] White, Bruce. “Toward a Learning Commons: My Journey; Your Journey.” Teacher Librarian February (2011): 27.
[4] White, Bruce, 27.
[5] White, Bruce, 28.
[6] White, Bruce, 28.
[7] White, Bruce, 28.
[8] Cicchetti, Robin. “Concord-Carlisle Transitions to a Learning Commons.” Teacher Librarian February (2010): 53.
[9] Cicchetti, Robin. 53.
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