Creating the Information Hub
“The Library, for me, has really become that hub of literacy that a Library should be, as opposed to somewhere where kids go and borrow books occasionally.” Steve Mead, Principal, Bexley Public School
I am very proud of the re-positioning of the Library that I have achieved so far but my two week placement at Liverpool City Library and Study Visits at various Sydney libraries as part of ‘ETL507 Professional Placement and Portfolio’ showed me more opportunities for embedding the Library within the School Community and extending its reach outside of the walls of the School.
The changing face of Libraries was evident throughout these experiences: far greater self-service; developing programs that bring the community to the Library for more than just borrowing; and providing opportunities for Library programs to go outside of its physical walls.
Creating a stimulating environment and promoting student work and achievements is an ongoing effort. This connects the students and their families to the Library and generates positive associations.
Teachers have noticed the physical changes and subsequent changes in attitude of students and families:
“The Teacher Librarian has made the Library an attractive, stimulating and welcoming learning environment. Through various activities organised by the Teacher Librarian, such as performances, book readings, author visits etc., the school community has benefited and have shared many enjoyable and worthwhile experiences.” (SurveyMonkey, 2015, Question Summary, Question 7, Response 3).
The changing face of Libraries was evident throughout these experiences: far greater self-service; developing programs that bring the community to the Library for more than just borrowing; and providing opportunities for Library programs to go outside of its physical walls.
Creating a stimulating environment and promoting student work and achievements is an ongoing effort. This connects the students and their families to the Library and generates positive associations.
Teachers have noticed the physical changes and subsequent changes in attitude of students and families:
“The Teacher Librarian has made the Library an attractive, stimulating and welcoming learning environment. Through various activities organised by the Teacher Librarian, such as performances, book readings, author visits etc., the school community has benefited and have shared many enjoyable and worthwhile experiences.” (SurveyMonkey, 2015, Question Summary, Question 7, Response 3).
Following Todd’s (2010) suggestion that “Effective school libraries provide multi-dimensional learning spaces to meet diverse information needs, learning tasks and instructional approaches”, I negotiated additional funding this year to furnish the Library with new tables and chairs that can be configured for whole of class, group and individual teaching and learning. This will also allow for a review of the layout of the Library and builds on my efforts last year in sourcing shelving from other school libraries undergoing renovations and our local council Library.
Looking forward, I plan to use the Library Office as a multi-function space for coding and other creating workshops, tinkering projects and movie making. This will mean that the administration area of the Library is significantly reduced but it is manageable with the addition of some new covered shelving for storage in the main part of the Library.
This space can then also be used for workshops from experts outside of the school, including leveraging the experience and skills of parents.
There are still many steps to be taken before this comes to fruition but we are well on the path to achieving the Information Hub moniker.
As a driven and highly motivated professional, I may have achieved many of these results without undertaking the Master of Education (Teacher Librarianship) but I don’t believe that I would have been as effective in the level of collaboration and community support that I have gained over this time without the guidance and experience of each of the subjects undertaken as part of this course. Each subject built on one another to deepen the level of understanding of information science, identify possible approaches and develop the level of professionalism required to create and manage an effective school library. This is a task that will never be ‘ticked off’. As society evolves, students’ needs change and our information environments, teaching and learning must change too. I believe that I am now equipped with the tools to meet these challenges with enthusiasm, expertise and practical experience.
Follow our BPS Library Blog and ‘One Starfish’ (Weebly) to continue the journey with me.
References
Looking forward, I plan to use the Library Office as a multi-function space for coding and other creating workshops, tinkering projects and movie making. This will mean that the administration area of the Library is significantly reduced but it is manageable with the addition of some new covered shelving for storage in the main part of the Library.
This space can then also be used for workshops from experts outside of the school, including leveraging the experience and skills of parents.
There are still many steps to be taken before this comes to fruition but we are well on the path to achieving the Information Hub moniker.
As a driven and highly motivated professional, I may have achieved many of these results without undertaking the Master of Education (Teacher Librarianship) but I don’t believe that I would have been as effective in the level of collaboration and community support that I have gained over this time without the guidance and experience of each of the subjects undertaken as part of this course. Each subject built on one another to deepen the level of understanding of information science, identify possible approaches and develop the level of professionalism required to create and manage an effective school library. This is a task that will never be ‘ticked off’. As society evolves, students’ needs change and our information environments, teaching and learning must change too. I believe that I am now equipped with the tools to meet these challenges with enthusiasm, expertise and practical experience.
Follow our BPS Library Blog and ‘One Starfish’ (Weebly) to continue the journey with me.
References
- SurveyMonkey. (2015). Teacher Librarian Evaluation 2015 - Cosentino, Bexley Public School. Retrieved from https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-X9RB2ZJ2/
- Todd, R. (2010). Curriculum Integration. Victoria, Australia: ACER Press