Throughout this semester I have developed an understanding of the role and nature of school library collections and the importance of a collection development policy that is reflective of the learning community. This new knowledge has and will continue to be beneficial in my current role as a teacher librarian (TL) in a school in Saudi Arabia.

When I first enrolled in this class I wrote my initial thoughts on the role of a librarian and the purpose of the library, you can find it here. To summarise, I thought the role of the school library/ian was to support the teaching and learning of all through the curriculum. While this is definitely crucial, it is only one facet of the role of the library/ian.

The task of reading the thoughts of other TL’s on the role of the school library gave me the opportunity to read broadly on the subject. One author’s thoughts on the role of a school library resound deeply within me; the role of a library is “to create effective users of ideas and information” (Kimmel, 2014, p. 46). I would add that we want our students to be critical and evaluative users, both as consumers and creators of information. This addition enforces the need for students to be critical of all information they come across. As I mentioned in a blog post here, critical thinking is essential in the information age, where a simple Google search provides the instant gratification of instant answers. However, what appears first in a Google search, is not necessarily the best or even a true piece of information; it simply ranks highest according to the Google algorithm. A critical and evaluative user would have less trouble finding appropriate information. Furthermore using information need not be limited to consumption; creation in the digital age is only getting easier. A simple Google search for “blog” provides over 11 billion results, with Blogger appearing first. Its title: “Create a unique and beautiful blog. It’s easy…”. Not only can anybody with an email address create a blog, but it is also free. The multitude of social networking sites attests to the drive for creation; yet, are all users of social networking sites critical and evaluative creators? Take the US President Donald Trump and a Twitter post from the 22^nd of May.

The Wacky Do Nothing Attorney General of Michigan, Dana Nessel, is viciously threatening Ford Motor Company for the fact that I inspected a Ventilator plant without a mask. Not their fault, & I did put on a mask. No wonder many auto companies left Michigan, until I came along! (2020)

If President Donald Trump were a critical and evaluative user, he may have proofread his work and removed superfluous capital letters prior to submission. Perhaps he would have considered his profile and viewers and written something less slanderous.

Another example on the importance of critical evaluative skills can be found in another blog post here. Virtual identity can be easily hidden or falsified. Behind a keyboard and screen, anybody can claim to be an expert. By teaching our students critical evaluative skills, they will be able to discern between real experts and those who claim to be.

In the early weeks of coming into my role as TL of my school, my principal approached me and asked me to write a ‘library policy’. Throughout this course, I have learned that the existing ‘library policy’ I found and made minor changes to was more procedural than policy. I only came to this realisation after viewing Module 6 on Collection Development Policies. The collection development policy is a critical tool in ensuring the resources are relevant for current and future teaching and learning needs. As ALIA stated in their 2014 Future of Library and Information Science Profession Report, to best prepare for what is ahead we must focus on the future, rather than what is happening today (ALIA, 2014). This preparedness begins with a clearly defined collection development policy. As Mitchell states resourcing the 21^st century curriculum is complex, neither digital or print but a combination; it requires resources that are suitable for supporting students to become life-long learners and responsible citizens (Mitchell, 2011; IFLA & UNESCO, 2006).

Furthermore, my understanding of the importance of this document has expanded; it is a critical document that guides all decisions regarding the development of the collection. When investing in quality resources for a collection which is aligned to the curriculum, the school is capable of significant budget savings (Mitchell, 2011, as cited in, Chadwick, 2018, p. 7). When previously, I sought to purchase resources that I read as a child in hopes of developing a love for reading in my students, rather than resources that align with the curriculum. I have come to understand that what I was doing is displaying an unconscious bias; because I read it and enjoyed it, I thought so too would others. I did not have a clear understanding of what goes in a collection development policy and its purpose, nor did I understand how to use it as a tool to guide all collection development decisions. Now when I look at my school’s collection development policy, I see the merit to it, but also what it lacks. One of my projects in the coming international school year is to rewrite the policy and ensure it is brought to the attention of all within the learning community.

In looking to the future, upon completion of the collection development policy I plan to meet with my principal to discuss several topics. Firstly the collection development policy, its importance and relevance to the whole learning community. Secondly information literacy and how I would like to develop these skills in our students, so they become critical and evaluative consumers and creators of information. Finally, I wish to discuss his vision for the future of the school and how the library is an essential service that can support this vision. 

References

ALIA. (2014) Future of library and information science profession, ALIA. https://www.alia.org.au/sites/default/files/ALIA-Future-of-the-LIS-Profession-01_0.pdf

Chadwick, B. (2016) Curriculum-engaged school libraries and teacher librarians value curriculum-alignment of resources, International Association of School Librarianship.

IFLA., & UNESCO. (2006). School Library Manifesto. http://archive.ifla.org/VII/s11/pubs/manifest.htm

Kimmel, S.C. (2014) Developing collections to empower learners, American Library Association.

Mitchell, P. (2011, Autumn.). Resourcing 21^st century online Australian curriculum: The role of school libraries. FYI: The Journal for the School Information Professional, 15(2), pp. 10-15.

Trump, D. J. [@realDonaldTrump]. (2020, May 22). The wacky do nothing Attorney General of Michigan Dana Nessel. [Tweet]. Twitter. https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1263669433366728704

According to Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and Victorian Catholic Teacher Librarians (VCTL) the Collection Development policy is relatively brief and general, containing key statements and guiding principles (ALIA & VCTL, 2017, p. 8).

ALIA and VCTL (2017, p. 9) make a clear distinction between a Collection Development policy and a collection development procedures. It states (ALIA & VCTL, 2017, p. 8) a well defined Collection Development policy should include:

• Rationale – Joining the school vision statement with the collection development policy. How do the two link? They should, as the collection development policy is guiding the resourcing for the school.
• Policy statement – Should include goals and priorities of the collection, scope of resources, maintenance (purchasing, repairs, weeding, etc.), funding, reference to international library benchmarks, resource management and personal responsible.
• Audience
• Authorship
• Related documents
• Ratification date
• Review date

Barbra Braxton’s (2018) post on collection development policies is far more than a concise document, and I believe she includes many of the collection development procedures in her policy. She agrees with the collection development policy by ALIA & VCTL, including, rationale, mission statement (policy statement), and policy review, however she also includes several elements that are more procedural in nature, such as; the selection of the collection (this is specific to the school and the nature of the learners), selection criteria, development of the collection, acquisition, promotion, evaluation, deselection (weeding) and challenged materials. All of these inclusions are more specific to the procedures of the library. For instance, How do we select one book over another? How is weeding and challenged materials handled? The difference between Braxton’s collection development policy and ALIA & VCTL’s boil down to Braxton’s title, Collection Policy. By excluding development, in the title, she has allowed for a broader scope in the policy and included several procedures.

ALIA & VCTL suggest the Collection Development procedures should include:

• Profile of the school community – students, staff, parents, etc. served by the library. “Including social, cultural and academic aspects and any special features of the school” (ALIA & VCTL, 2017, p. 9).
• Profile of existing collection – analysed, how is it developing, at what stage is it in?
• Access to resources
• Formats
• Collection goals
• Budget
• Selection principles
• Resource selection tools
• Scope
• Donations
• Cooperative relationships with other libraries
• Maintenance and preservation of the collection
• Principles of weeding
• Replacement & renewal
• Challenged materials

As you can see, the collection development policy is far more broad, it is the big picture; the WHY? Collection development procedures are more specific and focused; it is the HOW?

Before undertaking this, I understood the difference between a policy and procedures, however I’ve often come across them together in the same document. This is apparent in my current school. One of the first steps in the new academic year will be to rewrite the collection development policy into two documents; policy, and procedures.

References

Australian Library and Information Association School, & Victorian Catholic Teacher Librarians. (2017). A manual for developing policies and procedures in Australian school library resource centres (2nd ed). http://www.asla.org.au/policy/policy-development-manual.aspx

Braxton, B. (2018). Sample collection policy. 500 Hats: The teacher librarian in the 21st century. https://500hats.edublogs.org/policies/sample-collection-policy/

At my current school we have a collection development policy. It all came about when my principal – after two weeks in the teacher librarian role – asked me to develop a ‘library policy’.

It took quite some searching, but eventually our ‘library policy’ was found. Great! Next step, do some minor editing, change the opening hours and activities and send it through.

Only now, when looking back at the ‘library policy’ that was previously written, have I come to the realisation that it is a combination of the collection development policy and the internal procedures. The document outlines the roles of different staff within the purchasing timeline – both in the library and in in the finance department – along with the extra activities that are served by the library during lunchtimes.

When I began reading Module 6 – Collection Development Policy, I reopened the ‘library policy’ I hastily forwarded to my principal. It is in dire need of a thorough overhaul, removing procedures and adding critical elements, such as: weeding, donations and gifts and challenged materials. Critical elements, of which I knew nothing about a mere 6 months ago when I came about my current position.

The end of the school year is only days away; if the COVID-19 school closures continue in the new academic year, without a doubt I’ll be rewriting our ‘library policy’ into a Collection Development Policy and a Library Procedures policy.

Here are some notes on my thoughts around information societies.

An information society is a group of people (community) that earns money through the creation, distribution and consumption of information. This is made readily available through ICTs.

The teacher librarian (TL) should have an understanding of information societies and how they function as the TL is a curator and distributor of information. With information so readily available, the TL needs to teach discernment and critical evaluation of information. Anybody can claim to be an ‘expert’ on the internet, look no further then Belle Gibson and how she ‘cured’ her brain cancer through alternative medicine therapies.

We are living in an information society. Take my current working arrangement in Saudi Arabia. On Monday the 9th of March 2020, the Ministry of Education closed physical schools, and moved all learning online due to the COVID-19 outbreak. My job as a TL is to impart knowledge and information, and I am still required to do this, even though there is a physical distance between my students and myself. The flow of information is both synchronous and asynchronous, I send lesson outlines and activities to parents, who coach their children through the learning objectives. Throughout the week there is a window of time, where I am available synchronously for direct contact to ‘coach’ my students in their learning. My students and I can communicate in real-time or via email. While I am, I don’t need to even be in the same country anymore. Sander (2020) discussed in her article it is increasingly likely that you may be asked (or told) to work from home. Whilst the COVID-19 virus is not welcome, it is directly influencing society, revolutionising work, our workspaces and working hours. We are more connected than ever before, yet we often feel less connected to the people we are closest to physically (neighbours, the person beside you on the bus/train). What are the costs of our perpetual connectedness?

P.s. Is there a word for “never ending, but constantly evolving”? – I’d like to use it instead of perpetual as perpetual means never ending or changing, and that is not the nature of our connectedness..

References:

Percy, K. (2017, September 28). Belle Gibson, fake wellness blogger, fined $410,000 over false cancer claims. ABC news. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-28/disgraced-wellness-blogger-belle-gibson-fined/8995500/

Sander, L (2020, March 11). Coronavirus could spark a revolution in working from home. Are we ready? The Conversation. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-could-spark-a-revolution-in-working-from-home-are-we-ready-133070/

Resource selection begins both with the teacher librarian (myself) and the classroom teacher. Throughout the year I am adding titles to an ongoing order list of non-fiction books. This list is updated regularly to reflect what has recently won awards, what other librarians recommend and what I am reading.

In my current school in Saudi Arabia, we are entering our last week of term 3. Recently I sent an email asking staff to reflect on the past units of study and requesting their input on resource selection for the upcoming academic year (September-May). I have asked this as orders take quite some time to fulfil, and even although we do get ‘last minute orders’, generally our orders take 6-12 weeks to fulfil, and rarely arrive in time for the ‘last minute planner’ teacher.

What are we teaching in terms of skills for the future?

According to Peacock, our focus throughout schooling in the information age should be on building lifelong skills and teaching concepts (2001, p. 26), rather than teaching content. The International Baccalaureate (IB) framework (2019, p. 29) addresses this need with the Approaches To Learning (ALT) skills; Five interrelated skills including, thinking, research, communication, social and self-management skills. These skills help students to become self-regulated learners, and effective thinkers.

What is the purpose of a library?

According to Kimmell (2014, p.46) An library should create effective users, consumers and (I think quite critically in the age of instant gratification) creators of information.
Why is this important?
Simple really, there is a vast wealth of misinformation and #fakenews on the internet. We need to develop critical thinkers who can evaluate all they read and rather than always consuming (social media, TV shows, movies & games) create meaningful information.

Other interesting (or not..) thoughts
Do we need physical libraries with paper books? Cannot the libraries of the future be cafes with loanable e-readers and devices?

References

IBO (2019). Learning and Teaching, Cardiff: International Baccalaureate Organisation

Judith Peacock (2001) Teaching Skills for Teaching Librarians: Postcards from the Edge of the Educational Paradigm, Australian Academic & Research Libraries, 32:1, 26-42, DOI: 10.1080/00048623.2001.10755141

Kimmel, S.C. (2014) Developing collections to empower learners, American Library Association, 2014. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/csuau/detail.action?docID=1687658.