All kidding aside, this information was interesting and presented in a way that made me think about how libraries are used, who uses them, and what an economic benefit they are to society.
I wonder if we could write a similar document for our libraries: a Quotable Facts About SLCSD Libraries. If we did, what information should we include? What highlights would we want people to know about the services, resources, and supports we offer to students, teachers, and the community?
Give us all your ideas--wouldn't it be great to have to share with people who make decisions about our schools and libraries?
I believe that what is written on the district library technology page about us is the perfect response. Then we could add all the other jobs we get to do at our schools such as technology coordinator and trouble shooter, testing coordinator, web page editor, illuminate, PowerSchool, fast math and think central school administrator, school master scheduler to name a few. Finally it is important to note that we do all of this in addition to spending as much time in face to face teaching as most of the classroom teachers.
ReplyDelete"The goal of the Library Learning Center is to ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information. A strong Library Learning Center program, administered by a certified Library Technology Teacher, positively impacts student achievement. The Library Technology Teacher is a certified teacher, instructional partner, information specialist and program coordinator.
As a certified teacher, the Library Technology Teacher collaborates with members of the learning community to analyze learning and information needs, to locate and use resources that will meet those needs, and to understand and communicate the information the resources provide.
As an instructional partner and member of the educational team, the Library Technology Teacher promotes and models curriculum development and effective, collaborative teaching.
As an information specialist, the Library Technology Teacher provides leadership and expertise in acquiring and evaluating information resources in all formats.
As a program coordinator, the Library Technology Teacher works collaboratively with members of the learning community to define the policies of the library media program and to guide and direct all the activities related to it.
Qualifications: Utah Teaching Certificate and either a MLS degree (or equivalent degree) or the Library Media Endorsement."
When I think of a book of quotable facts, I think of a list. AT the top of the list I would put;
ReplyDelete1. All School libraries in the SLCSD are staffed by a licensed teacher with a library endorsement.
2. Several of SLCSD's librarians hold graduate degrees in Library Science, or other educational fields.
3. SLCSD's Librarians are the Go-To people in their schools for technology, information, and subject resources.
I think these facts alone speak very highly of us as professionals, teachers, and individuals who are committed to students and their educational experience. There are likely many more facts we could come up with (including the fact that SLCSD librarians include one crazy individual who's sole purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others).
Last year each and every one of us create an infographic with facts about our libraries. It included circulation statistics, number of lesson taught, number of classes that use each library, number of students per book. We could combine those stats into some quite large and impressive numbers.
ReplyDeleteGood idea, Stephanie. Numbers, especially via infographics, speak pretty loudly.
DeleteWe could say we have 1401 eBooks available for student use. In my school that would be about 2 per student. When we get our SLO data at the end of the year, we can use that.
ReplyDeleteIn my old district in Austin, we made a report similar to what Stephanie talked about with circ statistics, lessons taught, and included information about how much money was spent per student and then posted it on our library webpage. One thing that would be interesting on that report is that we included how many days we were closed during the school year. I am shocked at the middle school level at the number of days I have been closed so far so that the library computers could be used for testing. I would be interested to see if that is standard across the district or just an issue at the secondary levels.
ReplyDeleteI like Stephanie's idea of compiling our data, district-wide and then inputting it in an Infographic/Infogram to share virtually or via posters with our schools, admins, etc.
ReplyDeleteOne fact I'd like to know is what is the annual circulation # of all SLCSD libraries? That would be awesome to find out and share!
Also this: how about sharing the info on our school web pages, weeblies, FB, and Twitter?
Equally important as what we might include in such a document, would be who we share it with. Sheryl Smith is probably a key person to ask who needs to be seeing this kind of information about who we are and what we do.
ReplyDeleteI like the brevity of their document. It isn't overwhelming and yet it makes some great points. We could definitely highlight our ebook collection and the great resources available both in the library, and through Pioneer. Highlights of our program as well would be useful.
ReplyDeleteI like the ideas that others have presented. Of course, I'm always worried about the time things take, but it's crucial in this information age to promote the unparalleled value of school and public libraries. I'm in.
ReplyDeleteWe are also becoming guides to digital citizenship. I'm just tackling that a bit this year. Do others of you teach this? I feel like it's a crucial role that I'd like to play more, to guide young people in online etiquette, ethics, and safety. I know there's that once a year assembly, but I don't think that's enough.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I agree. Digital citizenship is an essential part of navigating the online world, no matter what age. In a world where elementary students use cel phones and have IG and FB accounts, the more they understand etiquette, ethics, and safety, the better. I'll be teaching this in my media unit later this school year.
ReplyDeleteHow about "As certified school library teachers, we use SLOs and various assessments to evaluate what the kids are learning."
ReplyDeleteI think the School Board should see our stats.
ReplyDeleteAll these comments are awesome! Thanks everyone.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to draft this up and send it out for your feedback. Thanks for all the ideas!
ReplyDelete