The writings of Herring (2007), Purcell (2010) and Lamb (2011) show varied viewpoints on the exact role of a Teacher Librarian (TL). Though to be honest I’m not sure that I can use the word exact in describing the role of a TL.
It has made me think of the skills of a chameleon, blending and changing to the environment which the chameleon is within.
Whilst images of a TL blending in with the books could come to mind (well to this overactive imagination at least!) it is more about the adaptation to the environment which the TL is within. Different physical school environments along with yearly (if not, more frequently) changes in student and colleague relationships mean that it is an ever evolving role, or as Herring (2007) states it is such a multifaceted role.
Each TL must take into account the juggling required to take on roles such as media specialist, leader, instructional partner, information specialist, teacher and program administrator (Purcell, 2010). Perhaps it is the creativity which likes to burst out of me throughout the day, but Lamb’s PALETTE analogy (2011) resonated with me which looked at the different goals which the TL must plan for, being interaction with; people, administration, learning, electronic information, technology, teaching and environments. The priorities of each of these facets is something which a TL, along with the school principal, must work out what the current situational requirements are.
The lists of roles raised within the three articles does show the breadth needed in a TL role, however, it does also suggest the priorities of the various authors. Personally in the context of a school library the role of teacher for a TL is one which should be at the forefront of their mind when tackling the different tasks required of them. To me, this may take on the aspect of creating lessons for students, teaching colleagues some of the latest information sources or being teaching by doing – finding the new information for yourself.
References:
Herring, J. (2007). Chapter 2 – Teacher librarians and the school library. In S. Ferguson (Ed.), Libraries in the Twenty-First Century (pp. 27-42). Chandos Publishing. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-1-876938-43-7.50002-8
Lamb, A. (2011). Bursting with Potential: Mixing a Media Specialist’s Palette. TechTrends: Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning, 55(4), 27-36. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-011-0509-3
Purcell, M. (2010). All Librarians Do Is Check out Books, Right? A Look at the Roles of a School Library Media Specialist. Library Media Connection, 29(3), 30-33.