‘It takes a village’ is a statement often made when raising children. It is true for the school community as well. Each class teacher, specialist teacher, support staff, and executive team cannot provide an optimum learning environment working individually. This is especially true of the Teacher Librarian. Their teaching, support and learning encompass the whole school community. When a Teacher Librarian is supported in their role by the executive team, especially the principal, they can work towards the goal of student achievement.

The Teacher Librarian needs more than a ‘gold star’ or ‘merit award’ from their principal. They need practical support, which is conducive to working together to achieve school goals. Support that is visible, documented and shared with others are more likely to achieve positive results.

Some of the ways in which the School Principal can support the Teacher Librarian can include:

• Promoting a positive school culture where learning is a supported and shared experience.
• Providing time within the schedule/timetable for ‘non-teaching’ time to attend to other aspects of the Teacher Librarian’s role.
• Ensuring adequate resources and time by making them a priority within the school operating budget.
• Consult with the Teacher Librarian on whole school decision making, including a budget allocation to teaching and learning resources.

Lupton, (2016), states, “The principal’s perception of the role of the Teacher Librarian is crucial to the way that the school library and the Teacher Librarian is supported (or not) in the school.” (p.50). With encouragement and validation from the executive team, especially the principal, the Teacher Librarian becomes a powerful advocate for children’s learning within the school community.

Conversely, it is important that the Teacher Librarian also becomes an advocate for their profession. They are a valuable member of the teaching team as they are uniquely qualified as educators and librarians and implement the curriculum across the whole school. They have a knowledge of resources and an understanding of the curriculum. They can teach students how to research by using critical and creative thinking skills, which can be applied to different learning scenarios and experiences.

Collaboration with the principal provides the Teacher Librarian with the ability and confidence to prepare students for the future.

References

Lupton, M. (2016) Adding Value: Principle’s perceptions of the role of the Teacher-Librarian. School Libraries Worldwide, 22 (1), 49. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/94981/