Having encountered libraries where the teaching staff have little trust in the teacher-librarian, the need for TLs to understand their role and make visible the contribution they make seems a vital part of the job.

The teacher-librarian really needs to be able to work within all curriculum areas of the school while managing budgetary constraints, embracing new technologies and considering all stake-holders (from students to teachers to admin). A good TL can be a game-changer in a school.

Where the relationship between the library, staff and students has broken down, the first step in creating a sense of collaboration lies in the hands of the TL. I can see this happening in the following ways:
– approaching domain leaders and individual staff to see how they can be supported
– looking for cross-curricular links across domains and providing strategies to staff to support integrated learning
– attending curriculum meetings to ensure an understanding of the upcoming resource needs of students and teachers
– team-teaching of skills (research, referencing, reading)
– ensuring displays are inviting and having a knowledge of books to be able to recommend to both teachers and students
– talking with and listening to students (wants, needs)
– holding events that entice and excite students and teachers about reading and learning

All of the above, coupled with a TL who cares about student opportunities and outcomes and a dash of passion about the world that opens up when you know how to access the library, should be a way to begin building a positive and rewarding relationship for all members of the school community.