ETL504

Changing Percpetions

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I have always wanted to be recognised but what I now realise is active involvement, risk taking, initiative and confidence is required in order for this to happen.

Operating within the comfort zone of the known is not always the best approach and certainly doesn’t leave room for change which is needed in order to evolve and remain current. As society, technology and the needs of the 21st Century learners change so too must libraries and Teacher Librarians. Moving from a traditional structure or function of a library, housing books, to one where libraries are the central hub of the school, Teacher Librarians are unique in the fact that they have the ability to connect with staff, students and the wider community on many levels. Collaboration and involvement in curriculum planning, whole school events and initiatives, embracing and implementing new practices and current trends, risk taking, providing and promoting a service that meets the needs of its users  makes the Teacher Librarian an integral member of the community, not just the book keeper.

One needs to be visible in order to be recognised.

How Colvin’s Thoughts Relate to School Libraries

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Colvin’s article looks at the approaches to management within organisations and how that has developed and changed throughout history. With the recognition of humans as “knowledge workers” and organisations as “organisms” managers are adapting their structures and practices to match this (Colvin, 2000).

Connections to School Libraries:

  • Organisations as organisms – A school library is a living, adapting, active, evolving unit within the larger system
  • Values as a basis of managing – Create, articulate and sustain a library mission and policy statement that aligns with the school mission statement
  • Human centred view of business – A school library’s purpose is to serve the members of its community which includes: student, staff and the parent community. Making sure that want the library provides meets the needs of its community at any given time. Change is inevitable but we need to make sure that we support our community with the change.
  • Attraction and motivation of Knowledge workers- A Teacher Librarian as leader needs to model best practice at all times as well as collaborate and work with others. One needs to be organised and delegate accordingly, up to date with the latest trends, theories and be wise and informed about the implementation of new projects, technology or practices.
  • Management is a human art – Building relationships and fostering trust with your staff is essential. Seeing the potential in others, drawing upon individuals strengths and ensuring they feel valued and an important member of the library team will help not only the functionality of your team but also the library.

Reference

Colvin, G. (2000). Managing the info era. Fortune,141(5). Retrieved from https://archive.fortune.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2000/03/06/275231/index.htm?iid=sr-link1

 

Leadership, My Initial Thoughts

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I have never really thought of becoming a leader or considered myself as one. So as I begin this subject, I know that I have a lot to learn and explore as I investigate ‘Teacher Librarian as a Leader.’

There are many ways to view what leadership is and what qualities a leader possess. Generating thought around this topic, has led to the following Acrostic poem.

Learning leader,

Educator within education.

Adventurous, acknowledging,

Decision making all part and parcel.

Evolving, your purpose, what you are responsible for.

Risk taking an element of

Servant leadership.

Hierarchy, a power structure of which you are a member.

Initiating projects and plans, seeing the potential.

Personable, a desirable quality, to lead.

I am assuming that not matter what form or type of leadership you are involved in that there would be similarities throughout organisations and leadership roles within.

Encouraged to join the Teacher Librarian Diigo group, I started to immerse myself in the literature around this topic. I found myself drawn to Smith’s blog post ‘What is Leadership?’ in relation to school librarians due to the fact that it was not defined with a definition but rather explained through real life examples of what leadership can look like in practice. The acknowledgment that, “leaders do not have to do or know everything” (Smith 2020), is somewhat comforting as I evolve as a Teacher Librarian. Instead leadership is about recognising a need and working with others to fulfil that need.

Being the first time I started reading about leadership and exploring the terminology around it, in this particular case, I found the terms to describe leadership both thought provoking and relevant. In the first subject of this course we were asked, “What is the role of a Teacher Librarian?’ to which my response was, not one dimensional and complex. Just like Braxton’s blog ‘500 Hats’ (n.d.), which explores the many hats a Teacher Librarian wears, through this blog post, I can see that a Teacher Librarian as leader is multifaceted and has varying layers of responsibility.  Smith explains that in order to evolve as an organisation, leaders need to become uncomfortable by putting oneself out there and convincing others of your vision or the need, to make change. Recognising potential in others to help fulfil that vision or need and acknowledging teamwork throughout the journey is what leadership is all about.  Once a task is accomplished or a need has been met that provokes change then as a leader you will feel rewarded. 

As I move through this subject I am sure there will be many more terms, ideas, characteristics, strategies, approaches and practices that will emerge. Watch this space!

References

Braxton, B., (n.d.). 500 hats the teacher librarian in the 21st century. Retrieved from https://500hats.edublogs.org/

Smith, D., (2020, February 26). What is leadership? [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://knowledgequest.aasl.org/what-is-leadership/.