An effective TL must, first and foremost, be able to connect with people. They should be non-judgemental, making it clear that everyone belongs in the library space, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, age or sexuality. Furthermore, they should understand that the library collection must reflect the people who use it, with library users seeing themselves reflected in the selected resources.
Teacher librarians are there to support learners, and just as importantly, they are committed to being lifelong learners themselves, with an ability to adjust to a rapidly changing information and digital landscape. They should be effective communicators who are not afraid to ask questions or collaborate with others – they need other teachers as much as they themselves are needed.
Staff, students and families are the heart of the library space – by fully recognising their role to serve their clientele, teacher librarians are an essential member of any school community.
