Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

From a teacher’s perspective, I had perceived the teacher-librarian’s role to be more of an educational facilitator, a manager of space and resources .  However, for the short time I have been studying, I already I recognise that the role includes numerous other titles, such as information leader (one who discovers, organises, streamlines and disseminates information) and technological manager. It seems that technological change has filtered through our schools slowly but, in reality, there has been a tsunami of information and technological change that has transformed the teacher-librarian’s role into one that can be central to the school.

In my current school, the library is a thriving, positive space with the teacher librarian adopting a more central role in the school. This library possesses an excellent selection of spaces, a good range of literature and books on subjects, two computer class spaces, a bank of laptops, a reading space with comfortable chairs, sanctuary for students who love gaming and chess, printing and photocopying and houses professional development. Flexible spaces have been created with the use of movable desks and furniture. The librarian takes classes to teach students to use the library, she has led professional development and coaches the chess team. Booking the library has streamlined with the use of computer programs.  The librarian is a part of the school rather than isolated in a space. She disseminates information to students and colleagues, manages resources, supervises a library assistant, manages information, teaches students and aids teachers with their classes.

In a previous school library, a teacher librarian required teachers, on booking the computers, to complete questions relating to the lesson. He, in turn, provided additional websites and information to facilitate the lesson. Only now with a new perspective, can I see that he was evolving with developments in technology, the internet and information management. He was raising the bar in terms of being value to the role of teacher librarian.

With the development of technology, referencing and access to information is not always simple, especially in education. Copyright using Creative Commons is a convenient way to tackle this problem. An explanation of the Creative Commons Licences can be found here (“Licences explained”, n.d.). Websites such as Pexel and Unsplash are platforms that support these licences. They make free images, easy to use and reference. But now, information/images are plentiful, free and easy to reference.

Blogging is an ideal way to develop ideas and store information for teacher librarians. Blog sites such as WordPress.com and CSU ThinkSpace can facilitate this. With the massive volume of information available on the internet, it is important to be able to store, recall, keep informed and have access to the various websites when needed. Rather than emailing internet resources to relevant faculties (as a previous teacher-librarian had done),  Feedly or Really Simple Syndication (“RSS”) (“Introduction to RSS and subscribing to blogs using Feedly.” n.d.) on a blog is an effective tool. This way the teacher-librarian can be seen to be leading the way in information management.

On reflection the librarian’s role is more organic than I originally perceived. With new technology and the proliferation of information, it is evident that teacher-librarianship is not about standing on shore but it is about riding the wave!

References

CSU ThinkSpace – Create a blog, portfolio, project website or learning journal and collaborate with peers!, (2019), Retrieved from http://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/

Introduction to RSS and subscribing to blogs using Feedly in 1.0 Introduction (n.d.), Retrieved from https://interact2.csu.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_42380_1&content_id=_2633946_1&mode=view

Neel, A, (n.d.), Retrieved fromhttps://unsplash.com/photos/-FVaZbu6ZAE?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText

O’Connell, J (?), (n.d.) Module 1: Introduction, Retrieved from https://interact2.csu.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_42380_1&content_id=_2633946_1&mode=view

Pexels – The best free stock photos shared by talented photographers, (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.pexels.com/

Today – Insights you need to get the inside edge, (n.d.), Retrieved from https://feedly.com/i/my

Tohatoha – Licences Explained, (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.tohatoha.org.nz/licences/licences-explained/

Think http://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/

Unsplash – Beautiful Free Photos. Gifted by the world’s most generous community of photographers, (n.d.). Retrieved from https://unsplash.com/

WordPress.com – Build a website, build a movement, (u.d.), Retrieved from https://wordpress.com/

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