3.3

//Reflection on AASL Standard 3.3: Educational leader //
A key point made throughout our classes, and one I understand through independent reading, is that the school librarian provides material assistance in many ways to overall school improvement efforts. To perform this well, the librarian must stay current with not only the library profession (at both schools and the public system) but also remain current with other related professions. I have been very pleased with the emphasis on continual learning that all of my professors modeled for me. In multiple classes, we have read current journals and publications that influence my instruction and operations. I have been influenced to a great degree by the new AASL publications, Empowering Learners and Standards for the 21st-Century Learners in Action, both of which call for high standards – and outcomes – in the library media program. Creating a bibliography such as the one for my informational literacy class has taught me that I must continue to research the state of the profession. I regularly read LibrarySparks, Book Bag, American Libraries and Booklist to maintain currency with the best practices in my profession. We must also continue to monitor the progress of technology in general and the other academic disciplines. I desperately miss the periodical Edutopia for the insight it provided to general technology applications but hope to become comfortable with the new web page. I rely on Wired magazine to provide insights into new technology potentials. The librarian is instrumental in developing the school collection. A careful understanding of the curriculum, and continuous collection analysis should be the basis for purchasing decisions. To circulate, a title must be comprehensible to the reader. In schools with a non-English speaking population, it is important to provide titles in the prevalent languages. In my school, we have a Spanish speaking population and I regularly acquire titles to facilitate pleasure reading and English development skills for those students. Our Korean speaking population is increasing and I now must purchase items for their specific learning needs. This is a straightforward solution and one that readily has available resources. Other information access concerns are not solved so easily. The librarian must also ensure that materials, once purchased, are available to teachers, as they need them. Secondly, the curriculum of instruction during library classes directly enhances other curriculum efforts. A direct connection helps the student learn more deeply and provides them impetus to the learning experience. As the fourth grade students learn about Maryland, I work with them using census data to understand the variety within the Maryland counties. This provides the student the opportunity to extend their learning about Maryland while they become comfortable searching a website, extracting data and using complex tables. Thirdly, from a programmatic standpoint the librarian can connect with other instructors, particularly the reading teacher, to design long-term reading and other development programs. Our instructor for ISTC 601 modeled and discussed potentials for partnership and I continue to work to expand our student’s love of reading. I offer a reading incentive program for each grade level and regularly provide book talks that highlight new items in our collection. The school librarian must connect with the wider library community. I have been particularly glad when my courses incorporated visits to other libraries. We had the opportunity to meet with other school librarians and discuss their programs and how they wove their efforts into their overall school improvement programs. At Meade Middle School and at the Lewisburg, PA branch of the Union County Public Library I saw merchandising displays that made the collection more accessible to readers and highlighted various titles. I have incorporated those display techniques in my collection. During ISTC 653 we examined various OPAC systems, through this study I have a better understanding of the strengths (and weaknesses) of the system in use in my public school. The public library is an invaluable resource for all teachers. I work constantly to enhance the school public library connection and am very fortunate to have a supportive public system. We regularly host a collaborative learning event for our 5th grade students so that they may understand the advantages found in using the public library. The school librarian must recognize and appreciate their connection to the wider world and use all resources available to improve the overall school community.

