The role of the TL seems to be growing with every interview...

So, as you know, I've been investigating the role of the Teacher Librarian, which seems to be becoming more multifaceted with every interview I conduct (but which ALSO happens to compliment my reading very nicely). Ha. And I thought the role of a teacher was complex!

As promised, today's post will feature video clips which offer different perspectives on the role. The first is from Karen who works as a Library Technician, the second from Lars,  Head of English, AND just for something a bit different, I've included the point of view of Author & Journalist Tony Wilson who does not work in a secondary school or a library, BUT who happened to be in one as a result of an invitation from, you guessed it, an innovative and creative Teacher Librarian promoting literature in the library. Good Job, TL.

Let's hear from Karen the Tech first...

STUDENTS LEARN TO EVALUATE INFORMATION

AND TO BECOME RESPONSIBLE USERS OF IT

I like that. Karen touched on THREE areas that I thought were important: 1. That students need to be taught where to find information and how to evaluate it.  2. That students need to be taught to be responsible users of it and, 3. That students must be learn to acknowledge when they are using somebody else's work.

This last point may seem obvious to you or I, but I think the digital environment complicates things. The increased immediacy and accessibility of information via the internet is a bit like fast food for young students ("I'll just Google that" Ping! There it is.). My observations suggest that many students think that once you have the information, it belongs to you, that because it has arrived on your iPad rather than photocopied from a book in the library, that somehow acknowledging it isn't important. Tsk tsk. It seems that at the digital dinner table, many good students have forgotten their manners when it comes to the proper attribution of intellectual property, feasting on information without complimenting the chef. A little uncivilised really.

I agree, Karen, that more than ever, such skills need to be taught.

Now for the Head of the English Department.

BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN THE LIBRARY

AND THE CLASSROOM

The words that come to mind having viewed this little clip all stem from the idea of building bridges. Lars identifies one of the main roles of the TL as being an important LINK between teachers and the library to promote literacy and literature. Words like LIAISE and CONNECT come to mind, don't they? So the role of the TL certainly isn't a passive one. We can agree that there will be no hiding among the shelves shuffling books around. Nope, the modern TL will be OUT THERE getting the right people together, a bit like the library version of RSVP. Which is quite exciting, really.

So what about Tony? A longish time ago, this children's book author and successful novelist went to school, so we can't say he is entirely unfamiliar with the world of school libraries, can we? I do know he visits them occasionally for talks to Literature Club students (how lucky are they?) so let's hear what he has to say about what TL's are supposed to do.

Over to you Tony...

TO PERPETUATE A LOVE OF READING

OMNIPRESENT

I thought the sounding of the school bell in that clip gave it an air of authenticity, didn't you? It was definitely shot in a genuine environment (unlike the moon landing which we all now know was shot at Universal Studios - I Googled it so it must be true).  And if you were giving Tony your full attention, you'll understand the significance of the word omnipresent. If you weren't, you'll be wondering. Which are you? Understanding? Or Wondering? It's a bit like all research really. If you get lazy and skip over details, you might miss things.

Now clearly even those outside of the education system have a few valid ideas about the role of the TL. Like Tony's view that children need to be exposed to sustained forms of reading from an early age. And I agree, Tony, Twitter feeds are NOT sustained reading even if they DO go on forever.

Tony even offered us a couple of personal recommendations (and no, that was not when my iPhone lingered over his own brilliant range of books. That was just me giving him a free plug as a way of thanking him for his willingness to let a complete stranger record and broadcast him all over the Blogosphere. But please check out his stuff, it looks great).  No, he actually mentioned Midnight in Sicily by Peter Robb and The Leopard by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa. And I think I'll leave you with that today.