Mission Statement

Our Library Strives to be a Multi-Purpose Resource Center for

Students, teachers, and Staff

a Place Where:

The academic development of our students is promoted by making the library a complementary laboratory of the classroom;
The well-rounded development of our students is pursued by encouraging exploration of the unknown and the love of inquiry;
Difference is appreciated and welcome;
The universal human characteristics that unite us all are considered as important as the individual characteristics that make us unique.

In order to implement the library's mission statement, our library suggests enriching our students’ library experience by:

Using modern constructivist techniques that acknowledge and build on what students have already experienced, as well as acknowledging different learning styles and needs;
Presenting to our students, learning materials that are effective in engaging them in age-appropriate conversations about the world in which they live. As examples, there are animated visual materials about Noble prize winners, stories of traveling libraries in parts of the world where children would not otherwise have access to books, and biographies about people who have succeeded despite great challenges;
Designing activities that present guest speakers, visual and reading materials that highlight the contributions of all cultures, such that students understand that culture refers to the human practices, beliefs and concerns of all people and parts of the world;
Promoting a safe space and enjoyable ambiance by respecting all identities, interests, and experiences;
Promoting library collaborations, with area museums and organizations that are mutually beneficial and complement the educational and socialization efforts of our school;
Encouraging staff to offer ongoing input and suggestions that they feel will enhance their efforts and improve the classroom-library partnership.

Professional Statement

The libraries at the University of Southern California suggest that librarians in 21st century libraries should compose a personal Statement of Philosophy of Librarianship (libguides.usc.edu). The purpose of such a statement is to:

Help communicate the librarian’s goals as an educator,
Help the appropriate authorities and constituencies evaluate librarian performance and effectiveness,
Help define and explain to the librarian’s colleagues and constituents the librarian’s impact on the library’s mission.

In response to questions from constituents of the library at Crocker Farm Elementary School, I have prepared a personal Statement of Philosophy of Librarianship, in which I describe what I do as Curatorial Librarian.

Professional Statement

Curatorship is not exclusively about art. Librarianship is not exclusively about books.

As the role of librarians responds to changes in social issues and technology, I consider my role as one of a socially engaged curatorial librarian, working professionally in a library, providing access to edifying information, providing social and technical programming, and curating a collection of library materials that is academically enriching and socially responsive.

The Information School at the University of Washington describes librarianship as “collecting, organizing, preserving and disseminating information to their constituencies” (ischool.uw.edu).

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines curator as one who looks after, is superintendent or guardian of…a collection.

As a socially engaged curatorial librarian, I am in agreement with the American Library Association’s statement of fundamental values (www.ala.org), I consider their focus on equity, diversity and inclusion to be indispensable objectives in the 21st century library. This is reflected in my insistence on practicing what are concepts commonly referred to as whole-person librarianship and cultural humility among library personnel and procedures.

The learning environment at the Crocker Farm Elementary School has enabled me to merge my preparation in curatorship and librarianship. As a Librarian in previous elementary and middle-school environments. As a Curator with academic training (a graduate degree in Museum Studies) and over 20 years of socially relevant exhibition coordination.

Ms. Waleska Santiago-Centeno

Teacher-Librarian

Art History & Museum Studies

Children's Literature and Librarianship

Visual Culture and Social Justice

The Library is a Special Place Wallace Presentation 123.pdf