A Classroom Teacher Perspective
In the quiet sanctuary of the school library exists a friendly teacher librarian, who absolutely adores books! The shelves are filled with rows of fictional adventures and interesting facts waiting to be discovered by eager young minds. But the school library and its staff offer so much more to the learning community they support. Over my fourteen years of teaching, I have discovered the role of the teacher librarian is many and varied.
As a secondary teacher, I have found the support of the teacher librarian invaluable to my work. They manage library bookings, assignment collection and TV4Education. From laptops to Smartboards, the teacher librarian ensures learning spaces and technology are operational and undamaged. They liaise with staff and head teachers to ensure appropriate teaching and learning materials are available to faculties. The teacher librarian loans out calculators during maths exams and resets passwords when students have forgotten. Along with their ever-helpful library assistants, they manage the mammoth task of barcoding and stocktaking all of the resources available in the library.
I have observed at break times the teacher librarian offering the library as a quiet environment for vulnerable students to retreat to at lunchtime, a meeting place for computer gamers and those who fancy a quick game of chess. Students can be supervised in the library during senior study periods, use computers to complete assessments or access a low-cost printing service. The librarian ensures a simple afternoon tea is provided as an incentive for senior students who attend after school study sessions.
As a teacher I appreciate library spaces being offered for staff meetings, student vaccinations and set up suitably for professional development activities. I know a visit to the library provides access to a coloured photocopier and laminating services. The teacher librarian can accession textbooks or sets of novels to assist busy teachers loaning out texts. Then chase students for overdue items if they’re not returned. Breakout rooms can be made available for learning support teachers to work with individual students or reserved for Aboriginal art groups to support knowledge sharing and cultural experiences. The library can offer gallery space to display major works or student artworks for parents to view.
In the background I know the teacher librarian is a big decision maker, who is constantly assessing budgets and acquiring books, journals and subscriptions. They are the careful manager of the school library collection, the publisher of the newsletter and administrator of the website. They are the person who ensures resources remain relevant and space is well utilised by removing damaged items and those that are no longer useful. The librarian plans the furniture layout to best suit the space and the needs of library users. Whether recommending a book or igniting a passion for reading in their students, the teacher librarian is always there to teach study skills, digital literacy or offer advice on resources and referencing.
So much more than a lover of books, the teacher librarian masters the complex task of supporting the changing needs and priorities of their school community. And from a personal point of view, the teacher librarian is a friendly face that warmly greets you as you enter the library.
Your blog is excellent, clear and very functional. You have addressed the task well through your experiences with TLs. Thanks for your work, I look to working with you! Liz