Posted to the AASL Blog as well
Dear Colleagues,
For me, this article "Changing Roles of Academic and Research Libraries,"
reinforces some of the ways elementary school libraries are different from
secondary and academic libraries.
http://www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlissues/future/changingroles.htm
ACRL has noted 3 essential actions for the future of academic and research
libraries. I think this is how these actions apply at the elementary school
library level.
#1
I believe that in elementary libraries, library collections and the work of
the teacher-librarian will always be centered on reading. When reading
becomes an "on-the-screen-only" activity then books will no longer be the
center of the elementary library.
Until then, we should be perceived PRIMARILY as the domain of the book. We
will continue to integrate technology tools as they are available through
our libraries and in our schools, but for the foreseeable future, when young
people are learning to read and beginning to solve information needs, the
primary resources will be print.
#2
I agree that we should not have the mindset of ownership and control. I
would hope that this mindset has not been an issue in school libraries since
1988. I believe that Information Power - both 1 and 2 - clearly convey the
idea of the school library as the hub of learning, the classroom of every
student, educator, administrator, and parent. We should always refer to our
school library - its program and collection - using the plural pronoun
"our."
#3
I also agree that elementary school libraries should "assert their evolving
roles in more active ways." For me, this means classroom-library
collaboration for instruction and facilitating or advocating for an open,
flexibly scheduled library that provides our stakeholders with access at the
point of need. When we accept fixed library schedules during which school
library professionals serve as planning time providers, we are not asserting
our evolving role as a partner for standards-based instruction that makes an
impact on student achievement.
Bravo to ACRL for the idea of "taking it to the streets." Library programs
should never be isolated from the learning communities they serve. This
is/should be the core principle for all libraries and taught in every course
called Libraries 101!
Thank you, Floyd, for bringing this article to our attention. Thank you to
Shonda for taking the conversation to the AASL Blog.
Best,
Judi
Veteran Elementary and High School Teacher-Librarian
Judi Moreillon, M.L.S., Ph.D.
Literacies and Libraries Consultant
Author: <http://tinyurl.com/yzvy5g> Collaborative Strategies for Teaching
Reading Comprehension: Maximizing Your Impact
<http://storytrail.com/> http://storytrail.com
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