Primary Teacher Librarian Services Credential Standard Demonstrated:
4A: Candidates model and promote ethical and equitable access to physical, digital and virtual collections by students and staff.
During LIB 715 Administration of the School Library, I created an advocacy presentation specifically geared to advocate for more resources at my school library, which serves students Kindergarten through 5 grade.
Creating an advocacy presentation to be used at my school library helped me to articulate the needs of our library and describe what an effective library looks like. I used evidence based data from the AASL, The California Department of Education, and other professional institutions who offer strong supportive evidence that can be used to advocate for school libraries. I also connected MSLS standards to our own school mission statement and SLO's, so administration could see how our library directly influences student achievement.
Primary Teacher Librarian Services Credential Standard Demonstrated:
4B: Candidates instruct students and staff in effective use of these collections. Candidates demonstrate knowledge of a variety of information sources and services that support the needs of diverse educational communities.
During LIB725 I created a user guide video to aid students in navigating the Britannica Schools database
In creating a user guide video for 4th and 5th-grade students to navigate Britannica Schools, I instructed students on the effective use of a vital digital resource. The video demonstrates my understanding of varied information sources, showing how to access reliable content for research. By addressing the specific needs of younger learners, the video ensures that students can confidently use Britannica to support their learning. This project reflects my role in guiding students and staff in utilizing our library's digital collections effectively to meet diverse educational needs.
Primary Teacher Librarian Services Credential Standard Demonstrated:
4C: Candidates demonstrate the use of various research strategies to improve teacher librarian practice.
During LIB720, Selection and Organization of Learning Resources, I wrote a paper on intellectual freedom and the important role of self-censorship as a librarian. The paper required a lot of research on the Library Bill of Rights, students First Amendment Rights, district policies, and best practices for ethical librarianship.
Writing this paper required me to dig deep into the ethical duties of the librarian. I found it extremely interesting that a book can be defended by a librarian or by the administration without ever involving personal opinion or perspective. The research required implementing various research strategies, including online research, book research, digging through the policies and procedures of school districts, and more. Ultimately, this paper brought to light censorship as it applies to oneself, and how avoiding self-censorship as a school librarian is essential for consistent growth and improvement in my practice.