Standard 4.1 Networking with the Library Community: Candidates demonstrate the ability to establish connections with other libraries and to strengthen cooperation among library colleagues for resource sharing, networking, and facilitating access to information.

“It is learning, individually and collectively, which makes us strong, gives us hope, and carries us forward,” -Barbara Viniar. At first establishing connections with other school libraries seems like an incredibly difficult task, especially since there is only one school librarian at each school. I have learned that discovering ways to make those connections can assist the school librarian in serving the school community. Reaching out to colleagues in order to improve the ways in which we facilitate access to information is not a sign of weakness; it is the only way we grow. Establishing connections with other libraries can lead to resource sharing, networking and facilitating access to information in order to enhance the school library program.

I recently became a member of LM.NET, an online listserver open to school library media specialists. School librarians from all over the country participate in this electronic mailing list by sharing lesson ideas, asking questions and discussing newest trends in best practices. Reading posts by active school librarians has helped me compile activities to assist me during my first years as a school librarian. Recently I read though a string of posts regarding end-of-the-year activities. My favorite post suggested giving students catalogues and letting them create recommendations for the librarian, giving students a sense of importance in the ordering process. Another great resource shared was to use Wordle and have the students create word clouds about favorite authors, books, and genres studied that year. Through resource sharing school librarians can amp up their lessons to create fun and meaningful activities. Although I have not participated by posting my own lessons and ideas, I plan to do so in the future. During my internship I developed a list of ways to use a document camera as part of instruction. This document could be practical for school librarians instructing staff how to use this new technology. Sharing my resources will allow me to build connections with other school librarians in order to network in the future.

During my Children’s Literature course I had an opportunity to share my final project at MASL. Since I had taken Children’s Literature as an undergraduate, my professor had designed the program to be an independent study for me. I concentrated on nonfiction literature as the focus of my independent study. I felt that of the literary texts I had studied thus far, my knowledge of promoting nonfiction literature was limited. I created a resource guide to assist teachers in choosing quality nonfiction literature to supplement their classroom libraries. For MASL, I created a poster outlining my qualifications for quality nonfiction and shared my top ten books of that year. Sharing my project with other school librarians was an outstanding opportunity. Many of the people I interacted with were more than eager to share their experiences, their most helpful contacts in the school system, and their e-mail addresses incase I ever need their help. For future MASL conferences, I will be sure to allow time before and after the seminars for networking with other school librarians. I look forward to attending upcoming MASL conferences in order to learn more about changing pedagogy in education and how the school librarian can help.

Beyond connecting with just other school librarians, I also recognize the importance of building relationships with the public librarians. Public libraries provide students and teachers with access to more books, periodicals and databases than what is available through the school libraries. The Carroll County Public Library has a partnership agreement with Carroll County Public Schools. The motion is to get more students into the public library while encouraging students to love reading. A librarian may uphold this agreement by sponsoring a reading night at the public library and to invite public librarians to school to teach special lessons designed for each grade level. An idea I collected from LM.NET suggested having students complete a scavenger hunt on the public library website. This teaches students how to access the databases, look up book titles and how to obtain a library card.

During my professional internship, my mentor shared with me that the elementary school librarians try to set up dinners various time of the year since they never get to see each other. From these interactions, my mentor has developed a close relationship with several other school librarians. Having a group of people to turn to when questions arise about reports, orders or possible scenarios will strengthen cooperation among library colleagues.    

Artifact

LM_Net Member
CCPL Partnership

MASL Poster. Click to enlarge.