The role of a library media educator is unique in so many ways. We work with the entire school, supporting curricular roles of classroom teachers, and yet are the forgotten ones. Few teachers have to advocate for their jobs on such a regular basis. I wonder how many teachers would stick to it, if, on top of their lessons, they had to be advocates for their jobs. Few other teachers are faced with blank looks of "What, exactly, do you teach? The Dewey Decimal System?"
I will have to constantly re-invent my role. However, looking at my life, that role will make me happy; I don't like doing the same thing day in and day out. Ironically, that is the image most have of the job of a librarian. They couldn't be more mistaken!
I have learned of so many amazing resources, I hope to keep them all straight. I have started a Google Site that I intend to keep updated. I am, however, already rethinking the format.
Change is good!
Implementing change in the world is even better!
Friday, December 14, 2012
Take what you get and be happy!
"Take what you get and be happy" seems to be the attitude of many library professionals. I have experienced both public library budget processes and elementary school library processes, and they both had that in common. I, personally, tend to work with what I have. However, after reading The Blue Skunk Blog, I had an epiphany. I need...no...am morally required to do the best that I can for the school library because, in doing so, I am benefiting the entire school!
Advocacy, not customer service
Advocacy....such an important word. It is amazing that I can be really good and really bad at it, simultaneously. As my previous post stated, I have no trouble being enthusiastic about my role and about helping others with tech. I see that as customer service, and, that is truly my talent. True advocacy....fighting against opposition for what I believe. That is not my comfort zone. I was forced to do so, to clear up a misconception, and am so glad I did. However, even as I was walking to the principal's office to have this important conversation, I nearly turned back. I naturally want to keep my head down, do a good job, and hope that all will turn out well. I have to change that tendency in myself.
The AASL offers advocacy support that I must remember;
The AASL offers advocacy support that I must remember;
On my way!
I had opportunity in my very last education class to talk to beginning GTL students. The purpose of the discussion was to present our online professional portfolios to them, so they can have an example of a completed one. Two enlightening moments:
1. Most I talked to had no idea what a teaching librarian was or what they would do!
2. I ended up spending most of my portfolio discussion time explaining the exciting role of teaching librarians, or, alternatively, demonstrating cool tech tools they could use. Sliderocket, Weebly, and Prezi were new to all the beginning GTL students.
As I review the discussion on being a technology advocate, I never realized how naturally I am one, or, how much I learned in the last 4 semesters. I believe that I will do well integrating tech into the media specialist position.
1. Most I talked to had no idea what a teaching librarian was or what they would do!
2. I ended up spending most of my portfolio discussion time explaining the exciting role of teaching librarians, or, alternatively, demonstrating cool tech tools they could use. Sliderocket, Weebly, and Prezi were new to all the beginning GTL students.
As I review the discussion on being a technology advocate, I never realized how naturally I am one, or, how much I learned in the last 4 semesters. I believe that I will do well integrating tech into the media specialist position.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Don't Panic, Stick to What I Know
In reflecting on the 21st-Century Services our library provides, the list is pretty thin. As I read other posts, I realize I have a big job bringing the library into the 21st-Century. I need to start with my strengths: tech skills, programming skills, local connections.
Ideas:
CRAAP -
Tech Smackdown
Breakfast with Books (Collaborate with local bakery?)
For completely personal reasons, I have been going through some materials that I saved from my days as a Children's Librarian. I had some great ideas: Chocolate Fantasy Program, Gaming with Tweens (OK, not really my idea, I was just the implementer), a drum line in the library! I will have to connect that creativity to collaboration and content.
I floated the idea of self-checkout, and was surprised at how quickly it was shot down. I heard everything from the possibility of errors to students intentionally checking items out on the wrong account. Am I too optimistic? The most careful students we have are the youngest. If they were scaffolded properly, I still believe it is possible. Could there be errors? Certainly. Are we error-free now? Certainly not. I think I want to try it...it works for WalMart.
Ideas:
CRAAP -
Tech Smackdown
Breakfast with Books (Collaborate with local bakery?)
For completely personal reasons, I have been going through some materials that I saved from my days as a Children's Librarian. I had some great ideas: Chocolate Fantasy Program, Gaming with Tweens (OK, not really my idea, I was just the implementer), a drum line in the library! I will have to connect that creativity to collaboration and content.
I floated the idea of self-checkout, and was surprised at how quickly it was shot down. I heard everything from the possibility of errors to students intentionally checking items out on the wrong account. Am I too optimistic? The most careful students we have are the youngest. If they were scaffolded properly, I still believe it is possible. Could there be errors? Certainly. Are we error-free now? Certainly not. I think I want to try it...it works for WalMart.
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