Module 3: Standards and Guidelines for School Library Programs
Summary:
The article I read was entitled, "Position Statement on the Role of the School Library Program," and it simply discussed how important the school library program should be based on the 21st Century guidelines and expectations. The skill and the ability to access pertinent information is beyond necessary, and our libraries should be held accountable for teaching these skills to students as the global community. The article further discusses the need for students to be taught how to evaluate and synthesize the information they locate. Is this author credible? How current is this article? Should I dig deeper, or go further to locate a more meaningful opinion, or should I accept that this author is biased? All of these questions should be answered by a librarian. This would prove to be a meaningful program within a school. This desire to know should be cultivated and created by the teacher, but reinforced by the librarian. The article is concluded by the need for librarians to instruct students on the most current form of technology, curriculum plan with the teachers, and to ensure equitable access of information and collections to all students.
Citation:
The American Association of School Librarians (2012). Standard and Guidelines for School Library Programs.
Prompt Selected:
In what ways are the standards and guidelines that apply to school library programs similar and different?
Reflection:
This article in essence is a recap of the AASL Standards and Guidelines. The similarities are fairly easy to identify inquiry, ethical behavior, technology skills, equitable access, different type of literacies, and independent learning. The inquiry as stated in the article clearly identifies who is responsible for teaching inquiry. Which would be me as a librarian. I will have to ensure that students as well as staff and administrators know how to problem solve when attempting to narrow down a topic, use limiters when searching for information, and possibly even build vocabulary skills to assist with locating relevant information.
Ethical behavior was addressed in the following manner, "As part of the school library program, the school librarian provides leadership in the use of information technologies and instruction for both students and staff in how to use them constructively, ethically, and safely (AASL, 2012)." I will have to teach students netiquette, the difference between illegal actions and unethical actions, and what is copyright violations as well as plagiarism.
In regards to technology, this was one of the first issues that was tackled in the article, and an AASL Standard. Basically, technology is this ever changing force that no one can essentially keep up with, not even Apple. But, as a librarian, I will have to charge myself with the ability to continue with self-development so that I am better able to help students, staff, and administrators. I must be adept on majority of technology and keep everyone informed. The different type of literacies, are much more in depth in the AASL standards, but was mentioned in this article as well. I learned that I cannot teach one literacy in isolation. For students to fully comprehend how to be a life-long learner, and a navigator of the internet, E-books, and even locating physical books, all literacies may not be just addressed but taught in-depth.
The article addressed independent learning with the following statement, "The school library represents for students one of our most cherished freedoms--the freedom to speak our minds and hear what others have to say. Students in America have the right to choose what they will read, view, or hear and are expected to develop the ability to think clearly, critically, and creatively about their choices, rather than allowing others to do this for them (AASL, 2012)." I honestly fell in love with this statement. The society we live in constantly tries to muzzle individuals who have beliefs that, "the majority," does not agree with. I believe these to be feelings motivated by inadequacy and fear that there is not enough for everyone. As a librarian, I must harness the opposite of this belief. America is changing, the world is changing, and as the holder of information, I must ensure that all students are provided with the information they need to help them develop into thinkers and doers of our society. And, I am backed by the AASL Guidelines, when I promote this freedom.
The two standards that were not present in this article was the life-long reading, and the social context. I feel that the literacies section addressed this standard, just not in great detail. Life-long reading beyond comprehension is necessary to be taught by the librarian because it is the root of all problem solving, searching the web, utilizing web 2.O tools, and understanding ethics. I will not be able to teach and implement any of the other standards without the life-long reading guideline. Social context failed to be addressed as well. I believe that there was an attempt by the statement that referred to the utilization and selection of the right technologies. Socializing through web mediums are not only necessary, but has become a way of life. If I negate students from learning this guideline then the, "global community," that librarians are attempting to assist in cultivating will be lessened. The article was fairly short, and failed to detail these items, but there were subliminal references.
Reflection #2: Standards and Guidelines for School Library Programs
Summary:
This document is clearly a document that was created to ensure that librarians in the state of Texas are aware of exactly what their job responsibilities entail. There are six major learning standards which include: learner centered teaching and learning, learner-centered program and leadership management, learner-centered technology and information access, learner-centered library environment, learner-centered connections to the community, learner-centered information science and librarianship. Underneath each of these standards are a list of principles, which outlines each librarian's requirements even further. There are also standards that specifically guide librarians with evidence based evaluations to ensure administrators are aware of how to evaluate a librarian's programs. Grades from exemplary to unacceptable can be given with detailed examples under each standard. This is a very detailed document that has little room for error.
Citation:
Texas State Library Archives and Commission (2005). School Library Programs: Standards and Guidelines for Texas.
Prompt Selected:
How should a school librarian best address these standards and their necessary dispositions?
Reflection:
Of course, I was taken back when I reviewed these standards from Texas. They were much more detailed that AASL standards. They provided a bit more of an in-depth overview for exactly what is expected for each individual employed as a librarian in Texas. But, I realized that this was not just a group of standards put together by politicians who knew nothing about a school less on the inter-workings of a library, "The Standards and Guidelines for Texas were revised by a Committee composed of 80 individuals representing all of the Regional Education Service Centers in the State of Texas. Revision Committee members included library and district coordinators, Regional Education Service Center staff, principals, school board members, citizens, and university and college representatives. Staff from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and the Texas Education Agency served as Co-Chairs of the Steering Committee and coordinated the revision process (Texas State Library Archives Commission, 2005)."
With this information at hand, I was able to address how a librarian could address all of these standards. First, I would read each one of the standards and principles in the summarization area. Armed with that information, I would look at what was considered exemplary, and what was considered unacceptable. I would analyze exactly what state and condition that library was in where I am employed and detail where there are deficiencies.
I would present those deficiencies to the administration only after I had come up with ideas to raise money to cover some or all of the expenses. I would create a chart in this presentation that would be easy to read. This is where we are, this is where we need to be, this would be our rating if we were assessed by TEA, and this is what money that needs to be raised in order for us to get there.
Then, I would present my possible fundraising activities that may get us there without dabbling in the school budget. Hopefully this would not only bring attention to what is needed, but a detailed plan of how it needs to get done.
Summary:
The article I read was entitled, "Position Statement on the Role of the School Library Program," and it simply discussed how important the school library program should be based on the 21st Century guidelines and expectations. The skill and the ability to access pertinent information is beyond necessary, and our libraries should be held accountable for teaching these skills to students as the global community. The article further discusses the need for students to be taught how to evaluate and synthesize the information they locate. Is this author credible? How current is this article? Should I dig deeper, or go further to locate a more meaningful opinion, or should I accept that this author is biased? All of these questions should be answered by a librarian. This would prove to be a meaningful program within a school. This desire to know should be cultivated and created by the teacher, but reinforced by the librarian. The article is concluded by the need for librarians to instruct students on the most current form of technology, curriculum plan with the teachers, and to ensure equitable access of information and collections to all students.
Citation:
The American Association of School Librarians (2012). Standard and Guidelines for School Library Programs.
Prompt Selected:
In what ways are the standards and guidelines that apply to school library programs similar and different?
Reflection:
This article in essence is a recap of the AASL Standards and Guidelines. The similarities are fairly easy to identify inquiry, ethical behavior, technology skills, equitable access, different type of literacies, and independent learning. The inquiry as stated in the article clearly identifies who is responsible for teaching inquiry. Which would be me as a librarian. I will have to ensure that students as well as staff and administrators know how to problem solve when attempting to narrow down a topic, use limiters when searching for information, and possibly even build vocabulary skills to assist with locating relevant information.
Ethical behavior was addressed in the following manner, "As part of the school library program, the school librarian provides leadership in the use of information technologies and instruction for both students and staff in how to use them constructively, ethically, and safely (AASL, 2012)." I will have to teach students netiquette, the difference between illegal actions and unethical actions, and what is copyright violations as well as plagiarism.
In regards to technology, this was one of the first issues that was tackled in the article, and an AASL Standard. Basically, technology is this ever changing force that no one can essentially keep up with, not even Apple. But, as a librarian, I will have to charge myself with the ability to continue with self-development so that I am better able to help students, staff, and administrators. I must be adept on majority of technology and keep everyone informed. The different type of literacies, are much more in depth in the AASL standards, but was mentioned in this article as well. I learned that I cannot teach one literacy in isolation. For students to fully comprehend how to be a life-long learner, and a navigator of the internet, E-books, and even locating physical books, all literacies may not be just addressed but taught in-depth.
The article addressed independent learning with the following statement, "The school library represents for students one of our most cherished freedoms--the freedom to speak our minds and hear what others have to say. Students in America have the right to choose what they will read, view, or hear and are expected to develop the ability to think clearly, critically, and creatively about their choices, rather than allowing others to do this for them (AASL, 2012)." I honestly fell in love with this statement. The society we live in constantly tries to muzzle individuals who have beliefs that, "the majority," does not agree with. I believe these to be feelings motivated by inadequacy and fear that there is not enough for everyone. As a librarian, I must harness the opposite of this belief. America is changing, the world is changing, and as the holder of information, I must ensure that all students are provided with the information they need to help them develop into thinkers and doers of our society. And, I am backed by the AASL Guidelines, when I promote this freedom.
The two standards that were not present in this article was the life-long reading, and the social context. I feel that the literacies section addressed this standard, just not in great detail. Life-long reading beyond comprehension is necessary to be taught by the librarian because it is the root of all problem solving, searching the web, utilizing web 2.O tools, and understanding ethics. I will not be able to teach and implement any of the other standards without the life-long reading guideline. Social context failed to be addressed as well. I believe that there was an attempt by the statement that referred to the utilization and selection of the right technologies. Socializing through web mediums are not only necessary, but has become a way of life. If I negate students from learning this guideline then the, "global community," that librarians are attempting to assist in cultivating will be lessened. The article was fairly short, and failed to detail these items, but there were subliminal references.
Reflection #2: Standards and Guidelines for School Library Programs
Summary:
This document is clearly a document that was created to ensure that librarians in the state of Texas are aware of exactly what their job responsibilities entail. There are six major learning standards which include: learner centered teaching and learning, learner-centered program and leadership management, learner-centered technology and information access, learner-centered library environment, learner-centered connections to the community, learner-centered information science and librarianship. Underneath each of these standards are a list of principles, which outlines each librarian's requirements even further. There are also standards that specifically guide librarians with evidence based evaluations to ensure administrators are aware of how to evaluate a librarian's programs. Grades from exemplary to unacceptable can be given with detailed examples under each standard. This is a very detailed document that has little room for error.
Citation:
Texas State Library Archives and Commission (2005). School Library Programs: Standards and Guidelines for Texas.
Prompt Selected:
How should a school librarian best address these standards and their necessary dispositions?
Reflection:
Of course, I was taken back when I reviewed these standards from Texas. They were much more detailed that AASL standards. They provided a bit more of an in-depth overview for exactly what is expected for each individual employed as a librarian in Texas. But, I realized that this was not just a group of standards put together by politicians who knew nothing about a school less on the inter-workings of a library, "The Standards and Guidelines for Texas were revised by a Committee composed of 80 individuals representing all of the Regional Education Service Centers in the State of Texas. Revision Committee members included library and district coordinators, Regional Education Service Center staff, principals, school board members, citizens, and university and college representatives. Staff from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and the Texas Education Agency served as Co-Chairs of the Steering Committee and coordinated the revision process (Texas State Library Archives Commission, 2005)."
With this information at hand, I was able to address how a librarian could address all of these standards. First, I would read each one of the standards and principles in the summarization area. Armed with that information, I would look at what was considered exemplary, and what was considered unacceptable. I would analyze exactly what state and condition that library was in where I am employed and detail where there are deficiencies.
I would present those deficiencies to the administration only after I had come up with ideas to raise money to cover some or all of the expenses. I would create a chart in this presentation that would be easy to read. This is where we are, this is where we need to be, this would be our rating if we were assessed by TEA, and this is what money that needs to be raised in order for us to get there.
Then, I would present my possible fundraising activities that may get us there without dabbling in the school budget. Hopefully this would not only bring attention to what is needed, but a detailed plan of how it needs to get done.