TEACHER:

As stated in the Iowa School Library Program Standards (2019), the Teacher Librarian (TL) is responsible for:

• fostering a passion and excitement about reading

• creating an overall school culture of literacy

• teaching students an orderly and logical approach to inquiry

• the skills necessary for safe, legal, and ethical use of digital resources

Mrs. Scott partners with classroom teachers to achieve many of these goals. She shares book talks with students, works one-on-one with students to find books of interest to them, teaches them effective research strategies and critical thinking skills, as well as the importance of responsible digital citizenship (AASL, 2019). It is through a partnership with classroom teachers that will allows Mrs. Scott the opportunity to reach students, fostering the development of life-long learners (Weisburg & Toor, 2015).

INSTRUCTIONAL PARTNER:

As stated in the Iowa School Library Program Standards (2019), the Teacher Librarian (TL) is responsible for collaborating with classroom teachers “to design and teach engaging learning experiences.” The Teacher Librarian not only partners with classroom teachers to effectively lead students through the research process, model the effective use of a wide variety of credible resources, as well as demonstrating responsible digital community behaviors (AASL, 2019) but also becomes a valued member of the teaching staff by becoming a member of several building teams and committees in order to strengthen the curriculum by ensuring the library has proper resources to support teachers and students (Weisburg & Toor, 2015). It is through a partnership with classroom teachers that will allows Mrs. Scott the opportunity to reach students as well as develop a strong teaching team to greatly benefit the students learning (Weisburg & Toor, 2015).

Information Specialist

The Teacher Librarian (TL) is responsible for effectively guiding students and staff to available physical and digital information, how to evaluate the information’s credibility, and how to responsibly utilize the information by following copyright laws. The TL needs to ensure “the library collection supports the curriculum” (AASL, 2018) by having knowledge of the physical collection in the library, as well as knowing which databases are available and promoting their use to benefit student research (Weisburg & Toor, 2015). In addition, the Iowa School Library Program Standards (2018) state, “The library provides experiences with and access to a current and diverse collection of resources, fiction and nonfiction, print and digital, to support student and curriculum needs.” The AASL (2018) further elaborates that Teacher Librarians “selectively curate and provide learners with collections of vetted digital and online resources while simultaneously working with learners to ensure that they are able to independently evaluate resources and make responsible and ethical decisions regarding use of these resources,” (p.117). As an Information Specialist, Mrs. Scott is able to use her knowledge of the physical and digital resources available to effectively guide students and teachers alike in the ethical and responsible use of the information.

LEADER:

As stated in the Iowa School Library Program Standards (2019), “A communication plan concerning the library program is implemented that identifies multiple methods and connections with the school community and beyond.” This indicates that the teacher librarian (TL) needs to be a program advocate, marketer, and public relations director (Weisburg & Toor, 2015). Mrs. Scott not only partners with classroom teachers to prepare students for their futures (AASL 2018), she promote the benefits of the library to the school and community while also building community relationships for effective partnerships. When these partnerships are established, the library program will strengthen, benefitting the students, teachers, and community alike.

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR:

As indicated in the Code of Ethics of the American Library Association (AASL 2018), the Teacher Librarian (TL) is committed to values that guide him/her through decision making situations. The TL ensures that students have access to a diverse assortment of library resources that is free from personal bias or censorship of the librarian as well as other adults in the school and community. The Code of Ethics further guides librarians to uphold confidentiality in respect to patron circulation records. As outlined by experts Weisburg and Toor (2015), the TL will follow the policies laid out by the Bondurant-Farrar School Board in regards to selection, acceptable use, and other policies regarding library functionality. Using the budget set forth by the district administration, the teacher librarian works to create a safe environment where students are free to choose materials that further enhance their educational experience and personal interests.

Sources:

American Association of School Librarians. (2018). Standards Integrated Frameworks. National school library

standards for learners, school librarians, and school libraries (pp. 65-119). Chicago, IL: ALA.

Iowa Department of Education. (2019, February). Iowa School Library Program Standards. Iowa Department of

Education. Retrieved September 22, 2020 from

https://educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/documents/IowaSchoolLibraryProgramStandards.pdf

Weisburg, H. K. and Toor, R. (2015). New on the job: A school librarian’s guide to success. Chicago, IL: ALA..