Collaboration and team teaching with teacher librarians and classroom teachers

In the current issue of SCIS Connections (#133, Term 2 2025), Vicki Bennett wrote about how she is applying evidence-based practice to collaborate with classroom teachers and engage in team teaching at one primary school she works at, referred to as "School B" to highlight its benefits as part of research in teacher librarian practice.

This stood out for me from reading the article because it is a fundamental part of our role: 

Collaborating with the teacher librarian empowers teachers and students by enhancing their knowledge and skill sets.

As part of her research, Vicki is trying to highlight the benefits that stem from collaboration and team teaching with students over a longer period each week, focusing on School B. It means that she can provide more support to the students and provide content that aligns with the curriclum. 

Her research is ongoing. 

Also, the article highlighted the need for access to research material from Australia. While it is beneficial to have access to overseas practices, Australian material is likely to be more relevant, as it aligns more closely with the Australian curriculum and education system. 

Devices eroding teens' reading attention (Newspaper feature)

Recently, The Sydney Morning Herald published a feature on the 2024 What Kids Are Reading Report by Renaissance Education, based on data from the Accelerated Reader Program, used by 440 schools across Australia.

Source: Harris, C. 2024. "Devices eroding teens' reading attention. The Sydney Morning Herald, October 26: 9. 

A table towards the top right of the article lists the top 20 books read by students in Years 9 to 12. While the number of books read by students has increased, concerns were raised about the difficulty of reading texts—students opting for easier rather than more challenging reads.

Diana Wing (Renaissance Education Australia) attributes this to a preference for social media and, hence, a preference for literature that does not require sustained focus. 

The challenge for me, as a Teacher Librarian, and for every Teacher Librarian, is to encourage and provide access to more challenging texts that require a more sustained focus. This adds to the challenge of just getting a person to read.

The second half of the article focuses on the role of school libraries in advocating for reading. Author Andy Griffiths stated that "libraries were essential to building a school's reading culture and ensuring that students, teachers and parents had access to and knowledge of a panoply of books". 

School Libraries and Pre-Service Teachers

I have done some reading on this topic lately and have been encouraged by some of the readings that I have read in recent times because it gives school libraries a great opportunity to begin engaging with our future teachers and help them appreciate and value the role that school libraries and teacher librarians have in supporting student learning. 

But the big challenge arises from the universities themselves as they coordinate the professional experience programs that education students undertake at either a undergraduate or postgraduate level. I reflect on my practicums and it was left to us, the pre-service teacher to engage with the library. We were not educated on their role nor the role or importance and staff that manage school libraries. 

Marlene Asselin, Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia has provided a number of papers on school libraries and their roles in supporting pre-service teachers but has also engaged in pre-service teacher programs through introducing inquiry-based intergrated unit planning and information literacy pedagogy. 

As part of their practicum they had to engage in collaborative experiences with teacher librarians including the planning of and delivery of lessons to develop information literacy skills. 

On the Advocacy Committee of the School Library Association of NSW (SLANSW), my fellow member Vicki Bennett and I have been collaborating with a lecturer at the University of Wollongong to provide presentations focusing on the role of the teacher librarian and their importance as educators. At the moment, Vicki has engaged in online presentations but is envisioned that it would be delivered face to face We also envision embedding a requirement for pre-service teachers at the University of Wollongong to engage with the library and even deliver one lesson in collaboration with the teacher librarian. 

After the holidays, I shall answer the question of what we can do right now to support our pre-service teachers.

 

Teacher Librarian as Leader - Kay Oddone

Recently I read a blog entry by Kay Oddone of the University of Southern Queensland. I had been lacking literature relating to Leadership and how it may relate to the Teacher Librarian Role. Also I have been wanting to reflect on how I have demonstrated and applied leadership within my professional practice. 

By viewing her entry, there is a reference list that has been provided for anyone who may be searching for literature for themselves that is related to the topic and is worth pursuing. 

Reflecting on this article, I did not know that I have demonstrated capacity as a leader and more than likely have not noticed it until now. It has been more difficult to lead when you fill in for an absent colleague, but I have been presented with opportunities in various roles to demonstrate leadership.

Developing a positive reading culture within a school community has been an example of leadership, creating wide reading programs for schools or coordinating wide reading initatives e.g. NSW Premier's Reading Challenge. Even if filling in for colleague, I can still easily show leadership through my engagement amongst staff and students during a wide reading session. 

Modelling appropriate and safe use of technology is another example of leadership that I have applied. I have explained to students the purpose and role of copyright and how it relates to viewing material e.g. asking students to delete audiobook mp3 files off their devices once the loan period has expired. Also, I have provided workshops to teach students how to evaluate websites for their usefulness an reliability. 

Through undertaking professional development especially in recent times, I have discovered that I have applied innovative pedagogies and this has been without noticing it too or have had experiences where I have shown at least capacity to apply those pedogogies.

I also have provided at times professional development within school settings and have been exploring getting involved in providing professional development to fellow Teacher Librarians within my professional networks. 

I have set myself a challenge in the short term which is to promote the leadership aspect of my role. How can I promote to others that I am a leader in what I do. 

COVID-19: Thoughts

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on all aspects of our daily lives. We have been asked to work from home. School Students have been asked to stay home as well. Public gatherings and social activities have been banned along with any movement around the community that is non-essential.
Public services including our local libraries have been ordered to shut down in the short term.

School Libraries are still open unless library staff have either been asked to work from home. There have also been reports that some support staff have been stood down. Some schools will allow borrowing while many have opted for a click and collect service. This is good step which is better than providing nothing.

As Teacher Librarians, we have been provided with plenty of opportunities to promote digital collections, etc. which can easily be endorsed by students, including eBooks and Databases which allow students to engage in meaningful content for their classwork and general reading without having to leave home. The challenge though is providing directions. I find performing an in class demonstration more interactive than doing an interactive demonstration online as I can easily guide students through the process and give quick assistance. But I know that I have the ability to record the steps using recording software, add some audio and students can then do it at a pace that they can choose.

There are also opportunities for collaboration. All colleagues are faced with the same challenge of providing interactive lessons online and a Teacher Librarian is fantastic in providing that support , especially with information literacy skills, which we need to develop amongst all students. Even the complexities of organising the work and hosting it online is a challenge. Teacher Librarians again can step up to provide support.

On site, some schools have been able to undertake jobs that otherwise could not normally done without disruption - I was fortunate to assist at one school in setting up and commencing their stocktake before the school holiday period. Stocktakes can be done at any time, but then in normal circumstances, there the disruptions that go on which can slow down the process. I have heard of other school libraries doing stocktakes. Great step forward.

I'll reflect on reading for pleasure next week.

Ideas for Collaboration

Last year,  I took some time to reflect on how I collaborate with my colleagues as a Teacher Librarian and to seek possible ideas on how I could better collaborate in my practice.

Softlink consulted Teacher Librarians on this topic and published their results online.

It is a resource that I would recommend for new teacher librarians who may not be sure about how they can collaborate. Even for the experienced, it might stimulate some new ideas or in my situation, reflect on our 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. 

Dads and reading

Here is a recent article from The Daily Telegraph, where they explored the importance of fathers in reading to their children because it encourages more abstract thinking.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/why-reading-a-book-with-dad-is-more-important/story-fni0cx12-1227544210970?sv=c8dc7500c1dc4c401c3b8dd4b6bf8d4a

It made even think too about my work in girls schools to date as a Teacher Librarian and undertaking wide reading sessions. It made me think of the higher order questioning that I did with them. I remember one instance asking students about why the covers of a Harry Potter book had been presented in a particular way and why the covers were designed that way. It got them thinking, even if they weren't too short.

For us men, it even encourages us to work in girls only schools, as the girls do also appreciate a male perspective on reading and literature.

Are Teacher Librarians on Borrowed Time?

An article was published in The Age Newspaper in Melbourne last year that questions the relevance of the Teacher Librarian to the learning process.

But at the same time it looks at the threat that the profession is facing as some schools opt for specialist teachers in other subject areas instead or in some instances closing libraries and replacing them with IT Centres.

I have to say "well done" to the paper for highlighting the challenges that the profession is facing.

But there was one thing that I felt that was missing from the comments provided by Dianne Ruffles (Teacher Librarian - Melbourne Grammar) and Alison Lester (Author); the importance of communicating information.

As a Teacher Librarian, I believe that providing students with skills in the effective communication of information is important to the learning process. It is one of the most important life skills that one can possess as it allows us to share and transfer information from person to person, whether it may be in a written form, visually or verbally.  Through that new knowledge can be created.

But are we on borrowed time? I'd say no. Jobs are under threat from budgetary but as the research indicates, Teacher Librarians are gaining an ever more important role in the learning process. For me, just continue to advocate the role and show to everyone how wonderful Teacher Librarians are.

Study Ties College Success to Students’ Exposure to a High School Librarian (Article from the School Library Journal)

An article recently landed in my inbox (hence the title of the post) about the three way relationship between the Teacher-Librarian, teacher and student in shaping the success of students in their studies at tertiary level.

Research has found that the development of information literacy skills is shaped during a student's schooling. Students that were exposed to the expertise and skills of a teacher librarian are more likely to result in better academic achievement at university. Also collaboration with teacher made it even more likely.

I found from my own experience as a student, that we were not necessarily prepared for the requirements to engage in learning effectively at university level. For example, I did not know what a database was and how to use it, nor to reference effectively.

These experiences have helped me as a teacher librarian. I encourage students to make use of databases that may be available to them, either through the school library, their local library or the State Library of NSW. I have found them to be amazed at what they do end up finding.

Or teaching students where to locate books on a certain topic e.g. Music in the 700's.

Also I have encouraged students to not just focus on websites, but also on printed, electronic and audio visual materials through Resource Based Learning.

And finally I have been an advocate of Guided Inquiry because it allows for that reflection on the learning process, right from start to finish. I have guided senior students in writing up a research question/s, recommending resources (as mentioned) or reflecting on the usefulness of a resource.

Teacher librarians crucial in info age (Article)

Holly Godfree wrote an article two years ago in The Canberra Times about the important role of Teacher Librarians in the information age.

Teacher Librarians are certainly not "invisible". I can link back to the role of the classroom teacher. Isn't the results achieved by a classroom teacher absorbed by others e.g. students as well.

I've noticed in my work to date, I've certainly not been invisible at all. Even in a casual or temporary role, everyone does notice your work. I get alot of  "thank you's" from students and my colleagues because I have been able to help them in whatever need it may be; big or small.

I have found students to be amazed when I locate information for them on a topic, especially if it is from a source that they may have never heard of. How about databases or newspapers? Many of them have never been aware of their availability to support their learning.

We all think that the internet has made locating information easier because it is there at a click but open up any search engine and the search results may overwhelm a person. Search engines operate on mathematical formulas to find results and hence we can be deluged with information, alot of which is irrelevant. My role is help others to sort through the results and locate the information they specifically need, and ensure that it is correct.

Fortunately, there are databases and collections online as well. Similar challenges there and my role is the same again.

I think too we can get a little too eager and just throw ourselves into research, yet we don't plan on how to get the information. What do I need to research? What do I need to know? What is available? Which sources will answer my question/s?

What Is The New Role Of A School Library In The Digital Age?

Ron Leunissen wrote an article last year that tries to answer the role of a school library in a school.

Certainly it is easier to access information than ever before. You can access library services from your own home or your own device.

But school libraries will always have a big role in a school. One comment stood out for me:

"The role of a librarian will be more to teach students how search properly in the ocean of information and  to evaluate the value of the source of the information."

I've noticed this in my work to date. Some students don't know where to go to begin their research for a learning task. They need a librarian to sift through what is available and provide a recommendation or the skills that they need to undertake an effective search. I also encourage students to reflect on what they have used in their learning and determine their relevance to the task at hand.

Libraries support the technology driven curriculum. Some would say this reduces the need for one to visit the school library. This is where libraries also have a big role to play. Why? They can provide the resources that one needs to create information. It might be the mp3 recorder that they need to create a podcast or seminar rooms to create a presentation that they might present to a class. We can also guide one in how to present that information as well.

What is a Teacher Librarian? First Impressions

As I start my course, I feel I should take the opportunity to define what I see as the role of teacher-librarian. I hope to use this as a means to explain my changing views as we go further into the study of the ETL401 unit but also the course.

To me the role of teacher-librarian is to manage the learning resources of a school. This includes the following:

• School Library - including the collection of books, audio visual and Internet based material.
• Provide access to learning resources to students, staff and the wider community.
• Develop research skills in each student.
• Ensure that resources are relevant to the learning needs of students.
• Provide access to the latest resources for students and staff.
• Identify strategies to further enhance student learning.
• Provide regular opportunities for students and staff to utilise the library for learning and teaching.