Content: Social Media and Networking

Type: Podcast

Length: 1 Hour

Level: Library Professionals

Organisers: School Librarians United

Presenters: Amy Hermon and Lucas Maxwell

Format: A one hour podcast

Reflection

Objectives: This episode of School Librarians United spoke about the difficulties of promoting reading to teenagers. The guest, Lucas Maxwell, spoke about his experiences with teens at his school library, and how he tries to promote reading amongst them. He also spoke about the reasons behind this, and used an analogy of a coke can to explain why they might not be able to engage, which I will talk about in the learning outcomes.

Reasons for attending: Simply put; the library I work at is a high-school, with students aged from 11 to 18 years old. This falls right into the group that this episode is talking about, so I decided to listen to it in order to assist with promoting reading and the library to teens, which is sometimes a struggle at work.

Relation to studies and learning outcomes: This episode spoke a lot about concepts of managing patrons, student engagement, and reading advisory practices. It offered a good insight into the reasons behind teens being disengaged from school and from reading, and offered the coke can analogy; a teenager is like a coke can, and everything that happens to them after they wake up shakes the can a little. By the time the teen reaches you at the library, the can has been shaken so much it is ready to explode, and this analogy is really fantastic when it comes to understanding and empathy, putting more of a focus on student wellbeing than forcing them to read if they are going to explode.

Future Uses: Focusing more on wellbeing is, I think, much more valuable than getting them to read a book immediately. Building a relationship based on trust and safety is important for a school library, and this coke can analogy will no doubt help me understand why some students don’t want to engage. Lucas also spoke about how signs don’t work, and this is something I have noticed, so I will take those suggestions into account, such as no negative signage like ‘don’t do this or that’

Evidence: Screenshot during podcast

Screenshot during podcast

Link: https://schoollibrariansunited.libsyn.com/161-teaching-teens

Content: Reading Advisory

Type: Podcast

Length: 1 Hour

Level: Library Professionals

Organisers: School Librarians United

Presenters: Amy Hermon and Steve Tetreault

Format: A one hour podcast

Reflection

Objectives: This episode of School Librarians United focused on the American phenomenon that is currently underway where there is an effort to censor and remove materials from school libraries based on knee-jerk reactions to material that some consider inappropriate, such as LGBT issues and racist language. Steve, the guest, spoke about things librarians can do in order to protect themselves and their collections from this censorship.

Reasons for attending: I listened to this podcast as I wanted to gain an understanding of what is happening in America with my fellow school library professionals, trying to understand the practicalities of what is happening. This isn’t something we have to worry about in Australia at present, certainly not where I work, where we are afforded a lot of freedom in our collection, but in the event that there are complaints, I want to know how to deal with those in a proper manner.

Relation to studies and learning outcomes: This relates closely to ideas of social justice, as well as user experience and considerations; the parents certainly might have a right to question the material in certain books, but is it worth taking away those experiences from students. From this I learnt a lot about protecting the collection, and the importance of being able to present reasons and evidence for holding certain items, particularly in terms of the impact of these books on students; the podcast mentioned how a lot of these books represent marginalized students, or historical significance, and argued that education and freedom of knowledge is a much better way to deal with these themes, as opposed to censorship.

Future Uses: Again, this isn’t a problem for Australia as a whole, nor for me personally at present, but as this phenomenon gains more media notoriety, there may be some influence on Australian libraries, so it is important to know how to counteract any of these censorship attempts with academic evidence and reasoning.

Evidence: Screenshot during podcast

Screenshot during podcast

Link: https://schoollibrariansunited.libsyn.com/162-fighting-censorship

Content: Community Engagement

Type: Podcast

Length: 1 Hour

Level: Library Professionals

Organisers: School Librarians United

Presenters: Amy Hermon and Diana Rendina

Format: A one hour podcast

Reflection

Objectives: This episode of School Librarians United was about setting up a makerspace in the library. Apart from setting the makerspace up, it also spoke about promoting the makerspace. There was talk about using it as an educational space, and being able to use the research that goes into setting up the makerspace to promote reading and research. There was also a brief mention of the general public wanting librarians to read every book they have for loan, and how that is unrealistic, but how reading reviews and citing these reviews is enough to cover this, which I found fascinating.

Reasons for attending: I attended this one as my current workplace doesn’t have a makerspace in the library. The school has 3d printers and virtual reality, but that is separate from the library in a very nearby classroom, so I was fascinated by any possibility of integrating the two, and building a close relationship with the teachers in charge of these spaces to facilitate collaboration.

Relation to studies and learning outcomes: The podcast started by speaking a lot about reading advisory and promoting literacy amongst students. It also spoke about the concept of a ‘third space’, which I covered in my tafe course before my bachelors degree, and how this school library functions as a third space separate from the school classrooms and the home. I learnt about this as a theory called ‘learning space design theory’, which was discussed by the guest, Diana, in regards to the book she wrote featuring it. The podcast also spoke about treating the space from an academic point of view and treating it like an anthropologist. This ties in with concepts of user experiences and analyzing user needs.

Future Uses: The information on makerspaces was useful and interesting, but from this I took more from the concepts behind setting up the makerspace; the third space and the anthropology analogy resonated the most with me. In the future I will be observing the students, and other users of future workplaces, and tailoring the area to better fit not only their needs, but their habits.

Evidence: Screenshot during podcast

Screenshot during podcast

Link: https://schoollibrariansunited.libsyn.com/183-makerspace-and-library-space-7622-617-pm

Content: Professional Knowledge

Type: Podcast

Length: 1 Hour

Level: Library Professionals

Organisers: School Librarians United

Presenters: Amy Hermon and Daniel Miller

Format: A one hour podcast

Reflection

Objectives: This episode of School Librarians United was focused on authors and author presentations in the libraries. The guest speaker, Daniel Miller, spoke about what he, as an illustrator, wants out of student talks. He spoke about wanting to speak to as many students as possible. He also spoke about how the opportunity can influence students who may not be the chosen audience for the talk, and how it can benefit every single student in the school.

Reasons for attending: Similar to my other posts on School Librarians United, I selected this one as author talks are a foreign concept to me, at least in a professional sense. Having attended author talks, mostly in primary school, I was interested in the inner workings and machinations of what goes into an author talk.

Relation to studies and learning outcomes: Aside from general concepts about patron engagement and education, this podcast talked a lot about the considerations that go into planning the event; the audience, the space, the props. All of this resonated with concepts of project and event management that I am currently studying. From the podcast I learnt a lot about how interacting with the guest can help the library create the best possible experience for students. I found that it is important to see what the guest wants to get out of the students, as this can help inform the time needed, the students needed, and which space would make for the best presentation.

Future Uses: The information I got from this episode will greatly inform any choices I make for author talks, ensuring I speak to the guest and see how they present; are they interactive, do they want a discussion or a presentation type talk. It also gives me a framework from which to pitch any author talks, being able to cite it as a real person’s example of how they conduct these talks.

Evidence: Screenshot during podcast

Screenshot during podcast

Link: https://schoollibrariansunited.libsyn.com/177-what-authors-wished-we-knew

Content: Community Engagement

Type: Podcast

Length: 1 Hour

Level: Library Professionals

Organisers: School Librarians United

Presenters: Amy Hermon, Suzanne Banwart and Stephanie Wilson

Format: A one hour podcast

Reflection

Objectives: This episode of School Librarians United was focused on student engagement and promoting the school library. The episode talked about a distinction between lunch in the library and lunchtime in the library. It made a distinction between the library simply being an open area for students to eat, but creating a structured environment for students to spend time in during lunchtime.

Reasons for attending: I listened to this podcast after listening to the first school librarians united podcast, which I found fantastic, and decided to continue with some random ones. As I am heavily involved in clubs and activities during lunchtime at the school library, I figured I’d get another insight into school lunchtimes in the library.

Relation to studies and learning outcomes: This further explores concepts of engagement and user experience particularly in terms of school libraries. From the podcast I got a new look at lunch in the library, especially considering the foreign school structure of American schools. THe guest speakers each spoke on different sides of lunch in the library, one speaking for lunch and one speaking for lunchtime, and I found the distinction strange at first, but it was explained in a clear way, and gave new insight into how to promote the library space during lunch.

Future Uses: The considerations given to allowing students a space to eat during lunch, and allowing students a space to do more than eat were heavily influenced by the layouts and concepts of the school libraries, and this can help inform any future choices I might make regarding lunch in the library based on the type of school and structure of lunchtimes; a school with split lunchtimes will run differently to a school with a shared lunchtime due to student numbers, classes using the library and so on.

Evidence: Screenshot during podcast

Screenshot during podcast

Link: https://schoollibrariansunited.libsyn.com/184-lunch-in-the-library-71422-1044-pm

Content: Social Media and Networking

Type: Podcast

Length: 1 Hour

Level: Library Professionals

Organisers: School Librarians United

Presenters: Amy Hermon and Shannon Steimel

Format: A one hour podcast

Reflection

Objectives: This podcast was about social media and librarians. There was a slight focus on school librarians, but for the most part it was intended as a general summary of social media, library professionals, and the advantages and risks. 

Reasons for attending: I listened to this podcast as it jumped out at me; as someone who is working in a school library, I was drawn to information that was more relevant to my future professional goals. I recognise my gaps in knowledge so I decided to just absorb whatever I could relating to school libraries and librarians.

Relation to studies and learning outcomes: This podcast covered topics that were discussed in my diploma on subjects about social media and professional networking, and in my current subjects professional networking is something I will be learning soon, so this will most likely relate to that. From the podcast I learn a lot about the advantages of different social medias, with each presenter having a preferred site, as well as the disadvantages; how, especially in America, people will use your public social media profiles to slander and discredit you. The example given for this was the current movement of removing books from libraries by parents, and how some of those parents will record everything on a librarians social media to find something to use against them.

Future Uses: As someone who mostly lurks on social media, this was a really interesting look at how you can use hashtags, groups, and pages to your advantage. Being able to network online, share resources, and discuss items of interest is an invaluable tool in a librarians arsenal.

Evidence: Screenshot during podcast

Screenshot during podcast

Link:  https://schoollibrariansunited.libsyn.com/188-librarytwitter

Content: Customer and Behaviour Management

Type: Presentation

Length: 1 Hour 30 Minutes

Level: School Librarians and Staff

Organisers: Diamond Valley College

Presenters: Glenn Pearsall

Format: A one hour presentation

Reflection

Objectives: This presentation was by Glenn Pearsall, a teacher and behavior specialist, on dealing with classroom behavior; how to act when students are combative, how to foster good behaviors, and how to address unwanted behaviors. All of these were talked about with a focus on student wellbeing and understanding, but also on the wellbeing of staff and other students present. 

Reasons for attending: This presentation was set up by my workplace for staff members as an optional, but strongly recommended, professional development activity, and after conferring with my manager, I decided to attend. Whilst the presentation may not seem like it is relevant to library staff, at my work, and other school libraries, students are allowed to come and work independently, and sometimes those students are disruptive and combative. This presentation provided an opportunity for me to be able to learn how to manage those students.

Relation to studies and learning outcomes: This relates very heavily to topics on customer service and people management, having covered these subjects in my diploma. The stuff I learned here, however, offered a practical look at the theory covered in this subject; where the subject could explain why a person might be reacting and how you should, in theory, react, this presentation gave real examples, experienced by Glenn at other schools, to put that theory into practice.

Future Uses: This presentation will be useful in two main settings; the basic concepts can be used in any environment where I might have to deal with unruly patrons, such as a public library. The specific examples and methodology is useful in a school library setting, and the concepts were used at my job to deal with and motivate students in the library, and will be used many more times, I’m sure.

Evidence: Screenshot of Confirmation from Boss

Screenshot of email from boss

Content: Diversity and Inclusion in Schools

Type: Presentation

Length: 1 Hour 30 Minutes

Level: School Librarians and Staff

Organisers: Diamond Valley College Library

Presenters: Wen Moore, DVC Librarian, and Megan Mooney-Taylor, Head of Year 9

Format: A one hour presentation followed by a 30 minute discussion/conversation

Reflection

Objectives: This presentation seeked to educate staff on the needs of gender diverse young people, defining what gender diversity is, why it is an issue, and how these feelings manifest in young people. The major focus was on providing resources and spaces for these young people, and putting a stop to any untoward behavior. There was also plans to use the library space as a club space and safe space for these young people, and as the talk was delivered by a gender diverse library staff member, the presentation itself was leaning more towards what the library can do for students in schools, separate from classes.

Reasons for attending: Being a staff member of this library, and wanting to learn more about a concept that is very, very foreign to me, this seemed like the logical option in order to foster a more positive experience of students at my current place of work.

Relation to studies and learning outcomes: These concepts related to studies about community engagement, as well as general principles of public and school librarianship in terms of customer service. Due to the nature of the material there is also an obvious focus on social justice issues. From this I learnt a lot about gender as a social construct, gender identity, and how to treat gender diverse young people in order to make them feel safe and accepted.

Future Uses: The general knowledge gained from this will serve me well in any position where I interact with customers; learning about gender diversity gives a lot of perspective and allows you to treat other people with respect even if you don’t understand them. The focus on students and safe spaces, however, serves me well at future school library jobs, and possibly public libraries, where I know how to go about setting up a club and safe space, how to engage and police it in order for the gender diverse people to feel safe.

Evidence: Screenshot of Registration

Screenshot of Registration

Content: Reading Advisory and Literature Promotion

Type: Webinar

Length: 1 hour

Level: Public/School Librarians

Organisers: Bibliotheca

Presenters: Iurgi Urrutia, Karen Dwarte, Moni Barrette, Georgette Kenney

Format: A one hour webinar

Reflection

Objectives: The purposes of this webinar were to inform information professionals, particularly librarians, about the value of comics and graphic novels. It talked about past perceptions of graphic novels and comics and past attitudes librarians have had towards them, and showed how they can be used to bring in a new audience, as well as talked about their value as tools for encouraging and promoting literacy amongst young people in public and school libraries.

Reasons for attending: I am very interested in and passionate about comic books, having read them for well over 15 years. My first exposure to manga was actually from my local public library, and when the opportunity came to attend a webinar by library professionals, aimed at library professionals, I thought it would be a valuable opportunity to be able to combine my passion for comics and an evidenced knowledge of how valuable they can be.

Relation to studies and learning outcomes: The webinar covered a lot of practical aspects of comics and graphic novels, with very real examples from the speakers. These examples showcased areas of project management, community engagement, and reading advisory, as well as promotion of literacy amongst young people.

Future Uses: The knowledge and examples of comics from this webinar were invaluable, and I will be using these to better expand the graphics novel collection at my current place of work. In fact some of the examples given I had never read before, such as an obscure manga named Sherlock Bones, but we happened to have a copy at our library, which gives me more graphic novels to recommend to the students without having to have read all of them in the world.

Evidence: Screenshot of Registration

Screenshot of Registration

Content: Library Management Systems

Type: Webinar

Length: 30 minutes

Level: Accessit LMS users

Organisers: Accessit

Presenters: Sarah Jordan

Format: A 30 minute webinar

Reflection

Objectives: This Accessit webinar was about mapping the library, and being able to create a gridded map that you could draw shelves onto and map collections to. The webinar was focused on first creating this map, and then implementing it through the Accessit web application.

Reasons for attending: The reasons for watching this webinar were primarily because I wanted more knowledge of Accessit, the intricacies of the system were still relatively unknown to me so I decided to watch through some webinars on a PD day granted to the staff at my workplace.

Relation to studies and learning outcomes: The primary point of mapping the library is less about mapping it for the librarians use, but for the patrons use; linking the map to the web app lets the patrons use the web app to find books on their own. This relates to theory about use cases and customer service. From this I learnt about maps and the different ways to use them, but the biggest take away was how I didn’t need it. I work in a small high-school library with maybe 4 or 5 sections, and we don’t use the web app. The map might be useful for a larger library with a lot of different areas, but we can see everything from the circulation desk, we didn’t need one. I came to this conclusion after analysing us as users and seeing if this was something we could use.

Future Uses: If ever we implement the web app, or I am somewhere that does, then I already have the practical knowledge to implement maps, so it will be useful if ever I find myself in that situation.

Evidence: Screenshot of Webinar

Screenshot of Webinar