Librarians are commonplace in our lives from very small children to adulthood. Specifically, in this post I am reflecting on, and referring to, Teacher Librarians (TL) from my own perspective. In my past as a teacher, and before that as a student, I always felt that I was fond of, and connected to, the TLs in my school and over time my understanding and perception of their role and place in the school has changed.
In my primary years my perspective of my TL was quite simplistic. She made the Library look nice, found and read aloud great books – which in turn I borrowed. She had a catalogue drawer with all our borrowing cards and a stamp for the return date. I loved being there with her and in that space. All of what she presented was what formed my first idea of the Teacher Librarian.
This idea was further cemented in High School. The difference was, they rarely came out from their desk at the front of the Library. This made me wonder: what do they do? I knew I could ask them questions, and they would help me with what I was after. However, the engaging nature of these TLs was not as prominent. So my idea of a TL was that of one who helped find books – and often seemed to be my English teacher too.
As I began my teaching journey, I think I began to better understand the role of the TL in the school context. Although, still much older than I, they were always so happy to help. They magically knew my students – in ways I didn’t. They shared their knowledge of the curriculum and how literature could support what I was teaching in the classroom. I saw connections with what they taught my class and what I was teaching. I was beginning to realise TLs were more than met the eye.
My biggest realisation has been the Administration load of a TL, something many classroom teachers still do not appreciate. This behind-the-scenes juggling act of budgeting, sourcing, curating, networking, advocating, and promoting. Brad Gaynor recently said when interviewed: “It is an exciting time to be in education because we are entering a whole new phase never seen before in the history of education,”(1). Contrary to my first belief, the TL specialisation can be an integral part of this new phase and this new education journey.
Throughout my early life I had a very simplistic view of the Teacher Librarian: a book custodian. As my teaching moved in to High School, I better understood the value of a TL: they are a Specialist. After reading the essential reading (2), and, upon my own reflection, I see the TL is not just a reader of books or a locator of literature – they are Information Specialists available to work with me to help students, ICT gurus, leaders of research and Inquiry skills.
I have been a TL for almost 4 years and I am now seeing the TL as more of an Information Wizard.
References
- Kiraly, S. (2018). Celebrating Canberra Schools – Holy Spirit. Retrieved from https://the-riotact.com/celebrating-canberra-schools-holy-spirit/253992
- Case, D. (2006). The concept of information. In Looking for information: A survey of research on information seeking, needs and behaviour, pp. 40-65. 2nd ed. Burlingham: Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. ebook, CSU Library.
Further Reading
Mann, D. (2018). Teacher Librarians – Aussie Educator. Retrieved from http://www.aussieeducator.org.au/teachers/teacherlibrarian.html
What is a teacher librarian :: ASLA. (2018). Retrieved from http://www.asla.org.au/advocacy/what-is-a-teacher-librarian.aspx
Hi Kathy, I enjoyed reading your reflection on the TL role and the feel my experience of TL’s is quite similar in many ways to yours. It makes me wonder whether the role of the TL has evolved and changed over the years at different stages of our education we became aware of these differences in the experience offered in the libraries we engaged with? Education has certainly changed since I went to school and
I agree that this is a truly exciting and also challenging time to be in education where information is coming at us from all directions, the volume of material is vast and it can be a very confusing and overwhelming. I think that many educators are unsure of what is ahead, some believe that ‘the textbook is dead’ and that digital learning is the only way of the future, whilst I’ve also come to learn that there is something that keeps drawing students, no matter how many devices and how much excitement it offers, back to printed materials for learning.
You are spot on, I think that a TL does need to be an information wizard and the demands of the role will continue to both grow and evolve as we work our way through this course and develop our own ideas about what the role can offer and contribute to the learning community we serve.
Thanks, Alicia!
Curriculum connections are so important, as well as building that community connection and collaboration. You are experiencing this, and discovering more all the time. It’s a bit exciting to think about the wizardry AND the ongoing future potential. You’ve inspired some reflection and connected nicely to some references. Welcome to our study program!
Hi Kathy,
Reading about your experience of the Teacher Librarian (TL) in High School reminded me of my own experience, which was quite similar (TL useful for locating books and resourcing the library). It seems that lots of us that went through High School around that time had very similar experiences. Whereas today the TL is expected to be “curriculum leaders, information specialists, and information service managers.” (ASLA, 2018). By leading staff and students in these areas hopefully their perceptions of the role of a TL will change, and TLs will be recognised for the vital role they have in the context of a school.
The TLs I have worked with have also had extensive knowledge of the curriculum and know which resources they have in the Library that can assist me to help students achieve their learning outcomes. If the resource was not available, the TL would try and acquire it from another source. Not only do they have so much knowledge on literature and curriculum, but TL’s seem to know all students by name.
As a very new recruit to the TL role, I am so surprised at the ‘behind-the-scenes’ work (administration) that takes place in the Library. I never really knew what happened behind the scenes but knew the TL was always busy when she didn’t have a class. I am lucky to be one day a week and learning from an experienced TL.
Regards,
Jodie
Australian School Library Association (ASLA). (2018). What is a teacher librarian? Retrieved from: http://www.asla.org.au/advocacy/what-is-a-teacher-librarian.aspx
Thank you, Jodi. Even though I have been in a library for 3 and a half years, I am still finding out new thinks to add to my list of what I do. My advice is to pick you experienced TLs brain even on the smallest things. 🙂