How is the teacher librarian’s expertise and role different from that required by all teachers?

Like teachers, librarians find and utilise resources but they also do many things in addition to these tasks. As part of their role they organise and manage large collections whereas classroom teachers focus on their own subject and don’t need to collect items for other courses. Librarians need to teach the skills associated with information technology but teachers tend to focus on syllabus content.

What are some ways teacher librarians might effectively collaborate with the school community in the selection of resources in a school?

It is important for school librarians to develop knowledge of their organisation’s curriculum documents. They could use this knowledge to create specific lessons for the teachers or form assessment items with faculties. For example, librarians could teach students the skills they need to access information in the library before asking them to complete a task where they are assessed on their knowledge of a specific school subject and the research skills they have used to obtain the information.

Suggested and compulsory reading lists could be formed with teachers and distributed to classes. This would help students extend their learning and encourage them to access the library’s resources.

Parents are also an integral part of the school community and it is essential for reading to be promoted in students’ homes. Librarians could ask for suggestions via email or through the school newsletter. Students would be able to see their parents’ favourite texts and caregivers may even provide insight into the types of texts their children are reading in their spare time.

How can you engage your learners in the selection of resources for their school library?

Suggestion boxes, polls and surveys are all options but different approaches to these traditional processes could be considered. Instead of asking for book suggestions, librarians could invite students to answer questions about popular mediums (film, television, etc) or even present quizzes in the style of BuzzFeed pages. Many students do not read for leisure but teachers could cater their collections based on students’ interests in other areas.

Librarians in high schools could also make the reading and selection of books a social experience by creating a space for students to share their suggestions, thoughts and opinions with their peers. It may be possible for librarians to make a school group using a website like Goodreads.

Who should have the final say on what is included in the school library collection? Why?

Librarians should have the final say on what is included in the school library because they obtain relevant skills and knowledge through the completion of specific courses in collection management. They are also privy to conversations and concerns within the school community because they are the first point of call when questions and issues arise. Therefore, their perspective of the school’s resources is comprehensive, especially in comparison to the perspectives of other individuals who may not have a complete understanding of the school’s needs.