Teacher Librarian Roles

Teacher librarians are information specialists who help maintain a successful school library program. Assessing new technologies, improving the collections in the library, and help in the creation of learning opportunities for students are some of the tasks a teacher librarian performs (AASL, 2018). The school librarian gathers new knowledge, through research, regarding texts and technologies that ensure the resources in the library are current and match curricular needs of all students and staff (Weisburg & Toor, 2015). The Iowa School Library Program Standards (2019) state teacher librarians “teach students to think critically and independently to construct new understandings and insights from varied information sources” while maximizing “access to quality print and digital resources.” The teacher librarian also teaches students to be digital citizens in an ever-changing technological world, as well as, teaches students to be critical thinkers and evaluators of print and digital resources.

Teacher librarians work with classroom teachers to create lessons, teach lessons together, and help make decisions to best meet the needs of students (Moreillon, 2017). Working with teachers to support students with appropriate texts and sources to enhance learning experiences is another important part of the librarian’s role as an instructional partner (Iowa Department of Education, 2019; Moreillon, 2017). Additionally, the librarian collaborates with administrators, teacher groups, community members, and families to ensure that standards and services of the library best fulfill the needs of the school’s environment (AASL, 2018, p. 89).

Teacher librarians demonstrate leadership when working with colleagues, students, and others that have an investment in the school library. This is done by serving on committees that help make decisions for the school, providing professional development to teachers, and meeting with parents and administrators to share knowledge (Weisburg & Toor, 2015). Librarians listen to others and make decisions based on the ideas provided in order to ensure a positive and useful school library (AASL, 2018). The librarian’s leadership role includes explaining what is going well in the library, offering ideas of how others can help, and being an advocate for everyone that uses the library (Weisburg & Toor, 2015). Staying current with technology trends, being knowledgeable of curriculum for all grade levels, and sharing this information is essential for a librarian’s leadership role (AASL, 2011).

Teacher librarians take on the role of program administrators to follow school board policies, as well as, make sure the library provides the necessary resources and skills to meet the needs of everyone (AASL, 2018). The librarian’s administrative duties also include protecting the right to privacy for all patrons, so as to not violate a student's ability to access what they want to read (ALA, 2019). Information literacy curriculum taught by the teacher librarian includes copyright and plagiarism topics to help students be college and career ready (Weisburg & Toor, 2015). Librarians work with everyone to uphold copyright laws and proper uses of information (AASL, 2018). The commitments by the teacher librarian create a relevant and useful library environment for all.

Teacher librarians educate students and collaborate with classroom teachers to prepare all learners with the necessary skills to become lifelong learners. The library needs to be a place where students feel safe and successful (Weisburg & Toor, 2015). The role of the teacher librarian is to create an environment where students and staff want to visit. As a teacher, the librarian creates and delivers lessons to connect with subject areas and spark a passion for reading (AASL, 2018). The AASL (2019) Position Statement states, the role of the librarian as a teacher is to ensure access to resources that are varied and appropriate for all learners, as well as, be aware of the ever growing technologies available to staff and students. Connecting to curricular standards, as well as, meeting state and national library standards is a vital part of the teacher role of the librarian.