Interpersonal skills for Teacher Librarians - a checklist

I came across this article recently on the interpersonal skills that a person needs for effective library management. I am using this as a checklist to ensure that I am applying the interpersonal skills that Teacher Librarians require.

What sort of Teacher Librarian are you?

This week I read through Mandy Lupton's 2016 article from School Libraries Worldwide - Adding Value: Principals' Perceptions of the Role of the Teacher Librarian.

What took my interest was at the appendix at the end of her article which provided a set of profiles that could be used to classify work practices and characteristics of Teacher Librarians.

I will not disclose where I am at, but have had an opportunity to reflect on it and identify what I might need to do to reach the ideal profile which is identified by Lupton as "Superhero".

I have cited the article below for those interested in reading the article.

Lupton, Mandy. 2016. Adding value: Principals' perceptions of the role of the teacher-librarian. School Libraries Worldwide 22, (1) (01): 49-61, https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/1785389866?accountid=13902 (accessed May 24, 2018).

Are you an innovative educator?

It is expected as teachers that we are all innovative educators. This article lists the attributes that an innovative educator would possess.

In a nutshell, an innovative educator is one that is committed to continuous improvement  in their teaching. They draw on professional knowledge and practice to apply new ideas. There is constant reflection and improvement along with a desire to improve teaching and learning practice.

Nick Earls article on importance of Teacher Librarians in schools

I was speaking to two friends that live in Victoria and work in primary schools, and asked them recently about Teacher Librarians working in their schools.

They told me that neither of their schools had one but had libraries. Budgetary issues were identified as one reason.

And then a colleague emailed me an article written by Nick Earls that got me thinking about the problems that not having a teacher librarian could have for schools, even schools that have an unqualified teacher librarian managing it.

The first problem is that the collection is more likely to become mismanaged. Collections are more likely to be poorly maintained like outdated resources or items easily disappear. I can testify that from experience at one school and while fixable, the time to fix it will be a long one.

There was one matter that affects even us qualified teacher librarians - The self checkout. Yes the public libraries have them but does self checkout help students pick the right books? Experienced school library staff have a broad knowledge of literature and can make a recommendation based on what they know to each student. Without that guidance, it can create problems. A parent could ring up the school and complain if their child has borrowed a book that may have objectionable material. A student may not be able to utilise or use a book effectively e.g. Borrow a book that is above their reading level.

But what else does a school lose from not having a teacher librarian?

• An advocate for reading - Teacher Librarians love to read and they want others to read as well. The ultimate role model for reading. I can see from my practice how I have encouraged others to read. There are kids for instance who are doing the NSW Premiers Reading Challenge, who might have not done so in the first place. I am even reading books and seeing if I can read 20 books from the PRC list. Will be handy for making book reviews. 
• Less opportunities for innovation in teaching and learning. It has been reported that ICT skills amongst school students in Australia is on the decline.  A Teacher Librarian is able to collaborate with colleagues to provide teaching and learning experiences that not only incorporate ICT skills, but also educate students on how to use them effectively.
• Students will engage less with literature - The internet is not a one stop shop for information. Through a Teacher Librarian, they will be exposed to information in differing formats including print. Even in this digital age, youngsters love their printed material. Think wide reading. Would students and teachers know whats even there?
• The library is not valued as a centre for learning. The library more or less becomes a storage area for books; a bit like a museum. Books are not used for what they are intended for. 
• Developing skills in critical and creative thinking. In this globalised society, we need to make the right choices and in order to do that, we need to think through critically. In countries like Australia, we lack innovation, and if Australia wants to compete with the world and remain a leading society, we need to have skills in creative thinking. Libraries with their wealth of information can give one the ideas needed to engage in that think, but also be guided in how to express their thinking, not just creatively, but critically. 

Engaging reluctant readers

The Centre for Professional Learning (NSW Teachers Federation) has published a short feature with ideas on how to engage reluctant readers in the classroom. This is handy for upper primary and junior secondary years.

In one sentence, it encourages teachers to let students take ownership of reading and writing.

Library Warriors@Evans High

I was reading the Winter 2015 edition of Learning Hub (SLANSW) when I came across an article by the Vice-President of the School Library Association of NSW - Tamara Rodgers.

It interested me how Tamara's experiences have tied in with some of my recent experiences this year. While I have finished the block at Georges River College - Hurstville Boys' Campus (back at Waverley College as an acting Teacher Librarian this term), I will admit that the article should have come out earlier because it could have guided me through that time and perhaps shaped some ideas in making a positive learning culture within the library.

I remember speaking with my library assistant about how to label the library monitors. She proposed "library boys" as it was a less formal tag and would make the work look "cool". I think "Warriors" sounds just as great because it can install a sense of responsibility yet make the work looking appealing.

Both of us had also raised the role as part of a school service program with the Head Teacher - Welfare at the school to try and get the kids to pursue activities in which they can contribute to the school community and building up a structured scheme for the "library boys". Even encouraging activities like a chess club were floated around to encourage the boys to pursue their interests but also provide them with a safe place to do it.

There was a group of Year 9 boys that I recall that were loitering and behaving inappropriately in the library at times, yet if you gave them something to do you'd find that they would get a sense of ownership and pride. I got to see them in another light, and in a positive way. This was needed when books to be weeded had to be relocated and organised in a sorting area. I could actually give praise to these kids, instead of referring them onto Head Teachers or the Deputy.

I think I may have a good model in terms of managing a library monitor system at whatever school I may be at, now or in the future.

With establishing a learning culture, the boys were never provided with a proper self-service printing system which other schools had. I was able to lobby for a printing system to be established and will be installed soon. Being boys, they love to leave things to the last minute and when they need to print, the library is often the only place to do it. They would have to approach my library assistant and pay 20 cents per page for printing from a printer within our staffroom. This took time away from her ability to work productively. I have planted one of the first seeds in making it a learning centre because boys will start to use it for learning, even if it is for printing.

One of our collections (Graphic Novels) had been previously stored in the staff room. Boys love their graphic novels. I managed to find some spare shelves and put them there. The loan rate for Graphic Novels has soared, though I hope to see that collection grow in the years ahead.

There are probably other comments to be made. One I won't comment though is the behaviour referrals. They were quite high and this not the place to bring it up.