Rapidly Expanding View

My view of the role of teacher librarian is changing very quickly, in fact with every article I read. I think however that I'm coming to a general consensus in my mind, a growing picture of the ideal library and TL, so thought I'd better put it down in My Place.

I was amazed to read about the extensive research that has been done over the last 40 years (Haycock,K 2003) or so that points overwhelmingly to the importance of the role of the library and TL. It suggests a strong link between the amount of funding, the quality of the resources, the qualifications of the TL and the amount and quality of the interaction of each student with the TL with the level of literacy and academic achievements in general of the students. Research even seems to indicate the economic and cultural prosperity of a country has a direct correlation with these variables!!

I'm amazed and pleased. I didn't realise the TL was such a crucial role and could have such a far reaching contribution. I'm excited too, i feel much more enthused by the course and by the prospect of working as a TL.

I love the idea of the library as the "heart of the school", a social, inviting, interactive knowledge hub where students have a flexible and ongoing quality relationship with the TL. This is what I loved about teaching. Engaging the students to the point where they were very motivated and so open to all learning opportunities. Getting to know them each and every one, so that you can tap into what works for them and what it is that will engage them. I think this role of the TL, the "getting to know you" part, the "connecting with" part, doesn't seem to be included in much of the literature I've read so far.

I'm also very interested in learning about the pivotal and supportive role the TL provides to the rest of the teaching staff with prof develop but even more so with curriculum planning and support. The concept of the TL providing a dynamic, flexible and very available support of both skills and resources to the classroom teachers is great. How exciting that the TL can be an agent of change for the whole school and help create a information literate school community.

I can't believe how much I've learnt in such a small time in only one course! I can't imagine that the learning curve can stay so steep. :)