The role of the Teacher Librarian in creating an Information Literate School Community

I'm giving myself 10 minutes to Rocket Write everything that is in my head after completing the first Assessment Task for ETL401 (Teacher Librarianship). The task was on the role of the Teacher Librarian (TL) in creating an Information Literate School Community (ILSC) and the obstacles that a TL may face.

An ILSC is one where the entire community is dedicated to improving the information literacy of its members. This is through policies, clear role descriptions for specialist and leadership staff, assessment, integrated and adaptable curriculum, funding, ongoing PD and evaluation. The readings leading up to the assessment task also suggest that its important for the TL to be adequately trained. I completely agree with this sentiment as I have already learnt so much about being a TL and I'm only a couple of month in. I've already been inspired to make changes to my school library.... Imagine the inspiration and motivation I'll have once I've finished the course!!!

The roles of the TL that I discussed within my paper is the need for the TL to collaborate with classroom teachers. This way, the TL can help classroom teachers integrate information skills into their assignments and give teachers the confidence to integrate information literacy skills into their everyday teaching. Also because the TL teaches the entire student body, they are in a unique position to see the overall plan and learning for students.

The second role of the TL that I discussed was the need for the TL to be able and willing to keep abreast of technological advances and to be able to teach the teachers and students how to best use the technology to enhance their information literacy skills.

The obstacle that faces a TL that I discussed was a lack of funding. The suggested ways to overcome funding issues were: developing yearly and long term budgets for the library, searching for funding through grants and the P&P committee, using resources (e.g. the internet) that we already have to teach IL skills and to search for free and useful resources (an electronic catalogue), and to be financially creative when acquiring fiction books (e.g. birthday book donations, book fairs and book fundraising).

Well I think I'm getting close to my allocated 10min. Overall, this assignment has been interesting. It really boiled down the role of the TL and helped me set goals for the future.... E.g being more willing to working collaboratively with classroom teachers and also immersing myself in technology. If this is the first assignment, I'm looking forward to seeing what else this subject has to offer.