This discussion post is used in conjunction with EYPD Education courses. The purpose is to increase awareness on the specific topic that may coincide with courses.
The library is the center or intersection for communication for the entire school. As teachers, counselors and administrators, we have to collaborate with the teacher-librarians to plan activities for professional development and training. Also, the library is an extension of the classroom and a place for “beyond the classroom learning”. This kind of success occurs when there are no silos or barriers that limit cooperation. Please read the following article by Senga White. Read here!
I agree 100% with this article. Librarians are one of our most under-utilized staff members in the school. I once worked with a librarian who was amazing. Every month, she would schedule every English teacher to come to the library one day with all their classes. She would prepare a lesson about something useful to the kids. August was usually how to use the online card catalog and how to check out a book using the automated system. And then, she would start gearing them towards the age groups. In the Spring, just before research papers, she would teach my 8th graders how to verify a website as a good source and how to use different research databases like Ebscohost. She was the perfect co-teacher! I think it would benefit our students so much to have that experience and, heaven knows, we all have our weaknesses. We should not hesitate to work with someone who might have strengths we don’t.
I was a public and private school librarian for years. I believe the library is the most under-utilized resource in the school! I strongly encouraged my teachers to select non-fiction/fiction library books to use in the classroom as a extension of the curriculum. Some did, and some did not. Sometimes, the library is viewed as a baby-sitter of sorts, instead of a extension of the classroom.
The librarian has a thumb on the pulse of so many aspects of the student population, from interests and abilities to reading level and acheivements.
I agree that the library and librarian could be utilized to help educate children. As a librarian, it is my job to encourage reading and have a literacy environment for the students to come to. I only see each class around 1 time per week, and even the culture of literacy is based around reading levels instead of enjoyment and relaxation. I want to be treated as an equal educator; however, my role is not as well respected because it doesn’t “influence” the data reports.