Juggling the Teacher Librarian Role and Responsibilities

The second theme in LIBE467 underscores the responsibilities and privileges associated with the role of Teacher Librarian. We have a unique position with a network of important relationships, that if treated well, can influence the entire school community in its’ quest for information and knowledge creation.  The lessons visited over the past weeks were self-reflective in nature and required the evaluation of our role and of reference services to take place, in order to make changes that support access to information literacy.

Juggling the TL responsibilities!! 

Some of the responsibilities come more naturally to me while others require procedures in place that guide the way forward such as "Riedling's Selection Process".  I take comfort knowing that my professional relationships with students and teachers will create positive learning opportunities.  I am committed to and enjoy connecting with them all in various ways.  “I love being that coveted person who delivers awaited books or plans fun activities which puts a smile on their face as well as mine.  I appreciate that the Library is a free place to come.  Free from formal assessment, free to participate or not, to read or not.  It's such an important safe space to be offered for students to come, unjudged.”(Monroe)  

How Libraries Changed Maya Angelou's Life

I struggle with the amount of evaluation that has yet to take place in order for reference services to be running optimally.  I can think of it in terms of running a business.  The business has two sides that need to run smoothly for it to be profitable. The heart has to be present to passionately drive and believe in the business and the books have to balance to keep the heart afloat, never mind the pun.  In our library "business", the heart is present, but the books are not yet balancing.  

There is so much to do, I am overwhelmed by information and certainly, have not learned how to do it all yet.  What is the saying? “Ignorance is bliss.” Well, not really anymore, now that I know better.  I know it will be a while before it’s as good as I want it to be, and even then, I know the bar will be raised again and again.  Really, it should be or we would become stagnant and. This quote sums up the paralytic state that I have to work on getting out of from time to time when I see the accomplishments of others. I am always striving to be relevant to the needs of students.

"We often wait when we don't know what to do because we've seen others do things better. Don't let the accomplishments of others intimidate you. Do the best you can with what you know now. You'll learn more later. You'll learn more from doing. When you learn, then you can do better."(Dachis)

Understanding the role of the TL, my challenge moving forwards will be focused on “developing and monitoring the library collection by setting priorities and establishing procedures for the evaluation and selection of library resources.”(Surrey Schools) Also I want to be able to help students find books they will be interested in reading and I will utilize helpful digital resources such as Novelist and School Library Journal to help.

Bibliography

Reidling, A. Reference Skills for the School Library Media Specialist: Tools and Tips, 2nd Edition

Monroe, C. Discussion Post from Lesson 5, Reference Services

www.surreyschools.ca * Careers *Teacher Librarian Job Description

Dachas, A. Blogger www.lifehacker.com June 28,2013

Images

www.homegrown.ph : The Balancing Act of Managing your Businesses’ Budget June 24,2013

www.huffingtonpost.com : Interview: How Libraries Changed Maya Angelou’s Life May 25, 2011

Video
www.oprah.com/oprahs.../the-powerful-lesson-maya-angelou-taught-oprah-video