For Teacher-Librarians: roles and teaching reading
In the February 2008 issue of Library Media Connection, Tina Hudak wrote an excellent feature article titled, “Are Librarians Reading Teachers, Too?” (page 10-14.) I think Tina iis right on target in saying that there is a clear role for teacher librarians in relation to reading. She goes on to say that whether that reading role specifically includes teaching reading is a question that the profession has yet to fully address.
Tina refers to my own work urging school librarians to strategically plan for the 3 roles of the teacher-librarian and library and information program:
- information literacy instruction
- reading advocacy
- information management.
Equally important, the decisions about priorities in the school library and information program – how much time and effort is expended on each of the 3 roles – should be a school decision, not a teacher-librarian decision. School priorities change from year to year. So must the school library and information program change in relation to school priorities
As this school year finishes, it is essential that the library staff sit down with administrators and classroom teachers to set priorities for next year. Few (if any) have the resources to do all 3 roles at the very highest levels. So, if we are going to emphasize one function and cut back a bit on another, that decision should be made in the context of school needs by the school community.
That’s how teacher-librarians and school library & information programs make sure that they are vital to learning and teaching.
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