This week we have been reading / thinking about the role for the teacher librarian in curriculum development. A TL provides a critical role in curriculum development within a school. When determining what areas are going to be studied the TL should be part of the decision making process. As the person in charge of the library the TL knows what resources are available for the subjects taught across the curriculum. While we are moving more into digital resources libraries are still (and should continue to be) filled with books. Accessing information from books is still probably the first point of call especially when working with younger students who are still learning to read. Also as the person who often determines what new resources are purchased, it is important that the TL knows what will be taught in order to ensure the collection meets the needs of the teachers and students.
The TL can bring a wealth of knowledge regarding resources. A TL know what the library has on hand. She also knows where to find more resources; specific, relevant resources for topic areas being taught. As someone who works across the school she can also help map what topics lead from one stage to the next.
In schools time is a huge factor and TLs are often used as RFF. They may be given a subject to teach by the class teacher (one the teacher doesn’t feel confident to teach) so that subject is seen as the TLs job, not theirs. However, the TL is a resource that can make a classroom teacher’s job easier. TLs are positioned to help, they want to ensure they have what the students and teachers require. They want the library to be used and are willingly to assist teachers and students on the journey of learning.
By excluding TLs in curriculum development, a wealth of knowledge is not utilised. TLs in school where there is no collaboration or inclusion are not best placed to help students. How can they direct students to the best resources to meet the demands of an assessment task if they do not know what the assessment task is? How can students adequately respond to an assessment task if the library doesn’t have any resources on that topic?
TL’s need to ensure they are involved in the curriculum development in their school to ensure that adequate, relevant resources are available.
