3.1

//Reflection on AASL Standard 3.1: Connection with library community //
I feel myself very fortunate to be a member of the wider library community. Our national organization, the American Library Association and my division the American Association of School Librarians has, as I have learned, consistently led the way in technology integration into the classroom. At the state level, the Maryland Association of State Librarians offers strong representation as well as a number of quality programs. Each year, we regularly read and enjoy the Black Eyed Susan nominees, one of the best known of MASL’s programs. I am a member of both LM-NET and the Rutgers Child Literature lists; these are informal net-based communities of librarians that provide much thought provoking discussion as well as practical support. At the national level, ALA and AASL provide standards for our instructional and collection planning and the advocacy to garner support for the programs. I conducted an analysis of instructional technology development and was very impressed to see that the library community led the way in development of both technology and its successful implementation. We could not be more fortunate in our local public library. Staffed by conscientious, school supportive staff they regularly offer me additional assistance. Each year I collaborate with them to provide our 5th grade students an orientation to the services available at the public library. (As part of this program, I offer each student the opportunity to receive a library card prior to the visit.) This program is well received by staff, parents and students. At the local level, my county school librarian community is collaborative and supportive. We regularly meet to share information and exchange lesson plan ideas. We share our collection; I rely on other schools to obtain titles for our student book clubs and teachers’ needs. We have established a BlackBoard site to more easily exchange files; I am in the midst of preparing a comprehensive listing of titles to use in 6 plus 1 writing instruction that I will post for others to use. During various site visits I eagerly gathered information about programs from the librarians I met. One high school program that included an overview of library services led me to modify my own introductory program – and to ensure that I provided an orientation to the Towson University students who have teaching internships at our school. The unique marketing approach of another school library provided me new ways of displaying my collection and improving circulation. As a school librarian, I am a member of an international community that shares its expertise so that all may progress. I feel fortunate to be a member of this group and hope to do my best to further our mission.

 

