Re: How To Beat High School Library The Game
Berry Spitsberg
When I took the role of head librarian at a public high school five years ago, I was excited about the possibilities. My previous experiences at middle and elementary schools were meaningful, but high school was the next level. I saw potential to reach students before they enrolled in postsecondary schools or started vocations. I was pumped to introduce great reads and instill in students a love of research.
As the year went on, I realized that prioritizing relationships with students, teachers, staff members, administrators, and parents was the best way to resolve the issue of an underutilized space. I was reminded that the quiet school library no longer exists. The school library needs to take on a different role as it caters to present-day academic and social needs. The reality of low circulation cannot overrule the necessity of being a learning hub where student meets student, staff member meets staff member, staff member meets students, and community meets school.
Start a virtual book club. Social media is second nature to students. Take book club selections and prompts online, and encourage all members of the school community to participate in a digital discussion.
Start a writing center. I was honored whenever students solicited my advice on writing personal essays, college applications, rsums, and informational reports. Consider forming a student-led writing center. At our school, Warrior Words, a literary publication featuring poetry, prose, opinion, and artwork, was born from this group.
Hold information literacy sessions. Teach students serious search strategies and how to dig into noteworthy databases. Show them how to handle the overload of information by focusing on research questions, not topics.
Promote the library to instructors. Market the school library as an open space where educators from different disciplines can meet to showcase interactive learning and share their course reading.
The TL role is a dual one - teacher and information manager (aka librarian). It is evolving as technology evolves, includes a curriculum design and teaching role as well as the ability to manage a virtual and physical library. It is complex and time consuming and definitely not for the faint hearted. It is the best job in the school, but you will teach and interact with all students and all staff, not just a class or three. Be prepared to be challenged and become a practising lifelong learner. :) BC
Thanks for the article. I'm just starting on my journey to become a school librarian. (First MLIS course beginning in 3 weeks.) After working 7 years in an international school as the assistant to the elementary school principal I've longed to teach and am looking forward to learning the skills I will need to join the fascinating, challenging, ever changing field of teacher librarian:)
I think the role of the librarian is evolving as it should. If a school already has credentialed teachers teaching Computer science and English the librarians job isn't to teach the classes instead of teachers. I have seen elective teachers ...art and music or drama get cut so the librarian schedule can increase time with core academic classes. As much as I feel librarians are essential ...their survival does not mean replacing electives teachers in a schedule. Art , photography and drama taught by experts help students get a holistic education.
Hi!
I would love to hear more. I am a first year teacher, but I have always wanted to be a librarian. I have a family member in education who suggested I get my M.Ed + teaching cert before adding a library media endorsement to ensure job security.
Although I enjoy teaching, every time I walk past the library I dream of being in there. I have so many ideas and thoughts on how I can make our librarian more engaging and full at our school. Our librarian is great, don't get me wrong. But she is getting close to retirement and I'd like to take over when she does.
Because it's my first year, I am not sure how to approach this topic with my admin. I'd love to hear what you think!
Thanks!
An advanced degree in library and information studies is vital for future librarians who wish to work in schools, government agencies, hospitals and more. These are the top schools for a master's degree in library and information studies. Each school's score reflects its average rating on a scale from 1 (marginal) to 5 (outstanding), based on a survey of academics at peer institutions. Read the methodology
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About Best Books: Every year the librarians and staff on our Best Books committees read thousands of titles to select noteworthy new books for readers of all ages. Find out more, discover which titles are available in accessible formats, and check out the highlights of previous years!
Welcome to the high school section of Utah's Online School Library (UOSL). This section is curated for students in high school, grades 9-12. You will be able to search topics you are curious about, research assignments for school, and find help organizing your research. UOSL is available both in and out of school.
When you scroll below you will notice the library is organized into three collections: Reference (for research), Utah Resources (to learn more about the great state of Utah and about current/past events), and General (links to other pages that may be helpful to your research).
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The school library at St Joseph's Nudgee College sits within the Hanly Learning Centre. The new build library, located in Boondall, Queensland, was completed by architect m3architecture in April 2015 with a budget of $10.2 million.
The facility offers a variety of spaces suited to individual, small group and large class groups. In this space, students benefit from the co-location of complementary learning and support facilities such as the library, the Learning and Teaching department, IT and AV support, classrooms and cafeteria.
With a budget of $1 175 900, architect CODA Studio designed the library with flexible learning spaces to encourage collaboration and group learning. These spaces can be adapted to suit quiet, independent learning as well.
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