What You Probably Don't Know About Me

This blog serves as a forum for some of my communication with parents concerning our library.  For the most part the writings have focused only on our school library, as they should.  Today, however, I want to tell you about me.

I am a militant.
I am a militant about school libraries.

And here is why.

There is a lack of information and understanding about what school libraries can be and what school librarians SHOULD be doing.  Most of us tend to equate school libraries with books and story times, quiet and overdue books.  Most of use think of librarians as the keepers of the books, who are more than a little obsessed with keeping things neat.  These visions are not necessarily untrue, but there is a great deal missing.  

Future Ready Schools, in conjunction with many leading education think tanks, has developed the term Future Ready Librarians.  The idea is that school librarians are poised to lead the digital transformation in schools.  I am very thankful for this national acknowledgement of the roles we can play, because frankly, being a militant is tiring.

The graphic above outlines the capacities that Future Ready School envision the School Librarian as we transition to digital learning.  Frankly, the only thing in this graphic that I have no control over is the infrastructure.  The rest I have been doing for years.

For years.

That's the point.  Any school librarian worth her or his salary has been ahead of this curve for years.  Now, hopefully the rest of the academic world is looking beyond the stereotypes, positive or negative, to see the real, and mostly untapped, value of school librarians.

We have many specialists throughout West Virginia Schools, and I am not saying they are not needed.  School librarians, however, are often prepared to do the jobs of many.  Yet school librarians are the ones whose jobs will be cut if push comes to shove.  Here is a graphic I created that illustrates some of the jobs descriptions and responsibilities of academic coaches, school library media specialists, and technology integration specialists.

As you can see, there is a great deal of overlap.  The School Librarian covers most of the ground in each job description, although I admit it is not all inclusive.  I welcome suggestions for edits!

I was a Technology Integration Specialist before the term was invented.  I have chosen to stay ahead of the curve in technology, because I firmly believe "It is all technology."  Formats differ, but functions are what is important.

I may not consider myself an Academic Coach, per se, but I have been suggesting strategies to my colleagues for years.  And I am the only teacher in a school of phenomenal teachers, that is National Board Certified.

But most people, -parents, students, administrators, and coworkers - may not know that.  Hopefully now more do.

But about my militancy.  You don't know the things I do on a state and national level to advance the role of the school library and school library media specialist.  I:

• Founded and run a national group to help other school library media specialists achieve National Board Teacher Certification;
• Created and moderate Facebook and Yammer groups for state school library media specialists to share best practices and stay abreast of national initiatives;
• Served as chair of the School Library Division of the West Virginia Library Association;
• Write in other forums for teachers, administrators, and educational thought leaders;
• Lobby the West Virginia Legislature to ensure every child in West Virginia has access to a school library and a certified, knowledgeable school librarian.
• Provide professional development to anyone who will listen.

You didn't know this about me, because it has nothing to do with our relationship.  I am telling you this now not for my own self-aggrandizement, but because I truly believe that school libraries and school librarians are important to the whole education of your child.  I want to see us thrive, grow, and evolve to meet your children's and your grandchildren's needs.

Now that you now these things about me, I hope you will be an advocate for all that school libraries can be for your children.  Next time someone mentions school libraries and the need for school librarians, you can refer them to my graphic below. I am very proud of what I do, and it is a pleasure serving you.