Libraries are sacred places; they exude the kind of light and peace usually reserved for places of worship; I guess, for bibliophiles, they are just that. And a school library is no different. Its presence is often central and its doors are always open. It’s a refuge from the chaos of lunch breaks – a calm space created and controlled by the teacher librarian. This is the perception I come into this course with, along with the following ideas. A TL is a person who:
- is a fountain of knowledge regarding books, authors and cross curriculum resources
- is a mentor for students who love books, organising and assisting – often providing them with their first ‘job’
- maintains a safe, organised, fully stocked, up-to-date, creative space
- keeps themselves informed
- has an exceptional relationship with the local library and bookshops
- is in charge of purchasing, organising, distributing and maintaining books for students and teachers
- ensures quality books support and enhance the curriculum in all Key Learning Areas
- promotes books that inspire young people to read and widen their reading choices
- organises Book Week, author visits and parades
The list above is an extensive job description, one that would keep any Teacher Librarian very busy, however, after only a handful of ETL401 readings, lectures and online meetings I am beginning to understand that Teacher Librarians, while perhaps a threatened role, have never been more important. Why? Because we live in a world where a library is as much about digital technology as it is books and that this digital world has opened the floodgates to information overload, a wide web of uncensored information, fake news and artificial intelligences that can seemingly answer any question and produce a polished product – all of which is coming to the consumer fast and furiously.
More than ever before our young people need information specialists to help them navigate this world, keep them safe and find channels of appropriate, reputable sources for them to learn from. In schools, these information specialists are our Teacher Librarians and while I have always seen this role as important, I am beginning to see that the role is especially critical in our current world and in our modern libraries.
Within a short time I also better-understand that today, the Teacher Librarian will flourish in a school if they embrace the privilege of being able to build a communal space that supports students, teachers and leaders to achieve the overarching school goals.
If I am fortunate enough to move into this role in my current school context, I look forward to not only stocking the shelves with quality literature, bringing books to life through theatrical experiences, encouraging reading and promoting life-long readers and learners, but I look forward to igniting inquiry, guiding research and finding solutions. I look forward to helping the school cater to all students, including our HPGE and special needs students, by providing a space whose doors are open for students to be curious, collaborate, create or find a quiet nook to curl up in with a good book.
A Teacher Librarian’s importance has always been clear to me and I look forward to increasing my knowledge of all the role’s possibilities through this course.