A recent article entitled, Poised to Partner: The 21st-Century School Librarian outlines the many ways that school librarians are ready, willing and able to stand with teachers as the Common Core State Standards come barreling down the educational pike. Amy Jo Southworth does an excellent job of delineating how and why this is the time for teachers to "Partner Up!" with the school librarian. Although she works at the high school level, Southworth also speaks for me when she says:
"As we embark on a Common Core journey, in a digital information age that has transformed research and writing, I’m here to remind you of the invaluable colleague you have in your school librarian. In schools where student learning is a top priority, librarians’ roles include teacher, instructional partner, reading motivator, staff developer, information specialist, curator, and program administrator. We are steered by national standards akin to those guiding core subjects, and it is our job to embed these standards authentically into the school curriculum through all disciplines,including English. As a librarian, I can assist you in many ways."
- Let me help you address the Standards. Librarians can assist in locating a range of reading material in print and digital formats including informational narratives and primary sources.
- I can introduce you to new materials. Since we are responsible for collection development and management, we have access to substantive, varied resources that can facilitate the appropriation of the finest, most thought-provoking, discussion-worthy materials.
- Let me provide you with the best research materials. There are numerous digital collections available to teachers, making it daunting to sort through these resources. Librarians often curate mini-collections of material relevant to their users.
- I can customize materials for you...to support your curriculum needs. School librarians know how to help students access and evaluate quality materials, and to filter this information to students in ways that build their own research independence.
- Let me show you a 21st-century library. The library “space” has evolved alongside our shifting roles. The library itself has been repurposed from a place where students come to obtain information to a place where they meet, access, apply, and create.
- I can help you scaffold successful research projects. The next time you begin planning, collaborate with me. School librarians ensure that students learn how to effectively and ethically access and use information to generate the most rhetorically powerful communications.
- I build skills for lifelong learning. Our discipline fosters a student’s ability to function successfully as a 21st-century citizen and learner. We encourage independence, wonder, risk-taking, exploration.
- I can help you evaluate student work. Students benefit from the additional audience for their work.
"We encourage you to integrate technology tools to publish research and writing or use technology to teach digital communication. And while many of us appear to work in isolation,
librarians are expert networkers. We can obtain answers to your most obscure queries, almost instantly!
School librarians foster risk-taking and independent learning for life. We teach digital citizenship. We motivate students to read. We are perfectly positioned to partner."
I'm ready...let's talk!
Here is the link to the entire article appearing in the May edition of the English Journal by Amy Jo Southworth (Bay Shore HS, NY) entitled, Poised to Partner: The 21st-Century School Librarian.
