Assignment 1: Self - Assessment

I feel that I have learned a tremendous amount about organization and access in the library through this course. I feel the posts in my blog show evidence of my learning. I have discussed various aspects of my learning that I have gleaned from the readings, course work, and from the discussions, using quotes and specific examples. I feel I have shown excellent participation in the discussions and have learned much from them. In many cases I have carried these discussions into my school and I have had very meaningful dialogues with staff members. I feel the learning I have gained will contribute greatly to my work as a teacher and will help me in communicating with administration, colleagues, students, and parents. In this reflection I will briefly summarize the points that I feel have been most important to me in my learning as evidenced in my blog.

What I already knew when I began this course:

To be honest, when I started taking this course I didn’t know a whole lot about the organization and access of the library because I teach grade one. I knew, of course, that the TL has a direct impact on the access to learning resources and the behaviours of the TL can affect access in positive and negative ways. I had no idea what a great resource our OPAC was until I had to explore it because of this course. I knew that resources are becoming more accessible online and that these tools can be really handy and dynamic. I knew that the library should be a place where students can go to access resources and produce products of their learning and share this with others. The learning has been fast and furious for me in this course, and I am excited about all the new knowledge I have gained. I hope to take this knowledge with me and apply it to a library when I become a TL one day.

What I have learned:

1.)    I have learned that the organization of learning resources in a school library has a direct impact on student learning.

All the various readings and discussions around organization and access in the library really helped shape my thoughts. For example, the following statement made by Loertscher really impacted my thinking about organization in the library, “What has to happen for school libraries to become relevant? If we want to connect with the latest generation of learners and teachers, we have to totally redesign the library from the vantage point of our users—our thinking has to do a 180-degree flip.” (Loertscher, 2008). I have learned a lot about the way resources are organized in the library to facilitate access. Learning about the life of Melvil Dewey and how his contributions shaped libraries of today was fascinating. I learned many wonderful ideas for teaching the Dewey decimals system to students. I have learned that organization is much more than the Dewey Decimal system. The way resources are organized in the library can have a direct impact on student learning. Through our discussions I have learned that sometimes reorganizing where an item is located on the shelves will facilitate easier access for students. However, if one gets too creative about the way resources are organized this can actually end up hindering access if one is not careful.  The physical organization of the library can also impact access in the library. A setting that is inviting will draw students in. Also, having access to technology and digital resources is important to the 21^st century learner. Organizing access to resources on a library web page can also positively affect organization and access to resources.

2.)    I have learned a lot about organizational systems and standards and why they are important.

Learning about our school’s OPAC and understanding how MARC records are created has helped me to understand how catalogued information is made accessible by using as many data points as possible. I am aware of tools that exist which can help expedite the process of creating MARC records such as the OCLC and Worldcat and how records in the catalogue can be enhanced to increase their accessibility. I have learned some helpful tools and strategies which I can teach to students to help them when they are trying to access information. One example is teaching students how to use effective terminology for effective subject searches, such as searching for the term “bears” instead of “animals”.

3.)    I have learned that even though resources are becoming increasingly accessible through the internet, this does not diminish the need for the TL.

As more and more information becomes digital finding information will become even more complex. Because of this the TL is becoming even more important in helping students access, analyze, and use this information even though the physical resources may be disappearing. Having good technology skills is becoming increasingly more important for the TL. For example, the work done on my digital library, creating the website, and the readings that I have done have immersed me into the world of digital resources and illustrated the need for the effective organization of them.

4.)    I have also learned about the importance of informing students and teachers about the powerful capabilities of our OPAC and online resources and how they can be used.

It is important for the TL to make it a regular habit to share information about resources with staff. For example, through my discussions with staff, I discovered that teachers are vastly unaware of how powerful our OPAC and online resources are. Through our discussions I have learned that some TL’s take a few minutes at every staff meeting to share resources or other important points. Others pass along useful information to staff through email. Others use websites or Wikis to share information. Some create displays. Some use a bit of all of these methods. Creating a website can be a powerful way to share information about resources with others.

Synthesizing the various resources I have used:

There were many resources that I used to learn about organization and access in a library and will continue to consult when I become a TL. Some of the resources that I feel had the biggest impact on my learning were:

ODLIS - this resource is very useful for helping to understand terminology http://www.abc-clio.com/ODLIS/odlis_h.aspx

Library of Congress Site (Introduction to MARC records) - this resource is very helpful when creating MARC records http://www.loc.gov/marc/umb/um01to06.html

Accessing Information:Cataloguing Guidelines for Manitoba and Saskatchewan School Library Personnel. http://www.education.gov.sk.ca/Accessing-Information

Dewey Decimal System Links to Sites for Students: http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/listthedeweli.html

OCLC - is a consortia of libraries who co-op and collaborate to make service economical http://www.oclc.org/ca/en/services/a-to-z.htm

AMICUS - an excellent resource for Canadian resources http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/amicus/006002-122-e.html

Library of Congress - source for MARC records http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/amicus/006002-122-e.html

Evaluating, Selecting, and Managing Learning Resources: A Guide (B.C. Ministry of Education) http://www.bcerac.ca/docs/ERAC_WB.pdf

Follett's Titlewave - a source for school library media services  http://www.flr.follett.com/index.html


United Library Services - Canadian Wholesaler http://www.uls.com/

What I still want to learn:

I feel that I have a good understanding of the organization of the library in both its physical and virtual forms. I would like to continue to learn more about making the library accessible to the 21^st century learner. I would like to explore the notion of a Learning Commons further. I see the value in creating a digital library and would also like to continue to learn more about creating a website as a way for students, parents, and staff to access information.

Loertscher , David .(2008). School libraries need a revolution, not evolution . School Library Journal, 11(1), p. 1.

Discussion Reflection: Jobbers

Kayla mentioned some really good reasons why sometimes it’s good to get books into the hands of kids quickly. When a student is reading a series or wants to read a popular book it could dampen their enthusiasm to make them wait. Likely there are other people who also want to read it too. I am so glad that my district centrally catalogues books for us. Having a good organizational system would be really important to the TL. Trying to keep up with the interests of the users will help get the resources out to the users in the quickest way possible. I also think being flexible is a must. Sometimes a need for a resource will just pop up and I think we need to let go of having things perfectly catalogued and organized. Having a sign out paper and cataloguing it later might be worthwhile.

Discussion Reflection: Having a website for the Library

On the discussion board we had an interesting and thought provoking discussion about websites for the library. It was agreed by many that websites are important for libraries although some thought that it wasn’t essential for elementary schools. I feel that it is important for our school to have a webpage even though it is elementary because it is a great way to connect users with literature and all the great things happening in the library. One of the things that came up was the time it takes to create a website. Jody greed with me that it should be a process not just something that is created as an end product. It is something that will take a lot of time to develop and will grow gradually, bit by bit. Lisa brought up the question about how do you create time for all of the tasks required in the library. Do you build it into your work day or do it after school? I would like to devote most of my free time during the day to collaborative work but have to keep in mind that really there should also be some time built in for prep and admin work, such as ordering, organizing, and weeding books. I tend to work too hard and I think a balance needs to be maintained in the schedule so that things don’t get ignored due to lack of time. However, I would hate to miss out on the opportunity to work collaboratively because of administrative work. I know that I will do most of the administrative work (including working on the website) after school.

I agree with Christa that having a website for the school library is essential no matter what grade level the school is. She mentioned that we are living in a digital world of 21^st century learners. I think that 21^st century learners are becoming so comfortable going online that a website just seems like a logical step for a library in the facilitation of information. I think it is a great way to stay connected to your users. She mentioned that having a webpage is a great way to encourage parents to be involved in their child’s education and I think making sure to have links which foster academic success will be important!

I agree that the library website is a great way to facilitate research skills. It is a great way to promote the use of the online resources the school district has to offer. The library website has the potential to lead students in the direction of finding useful resources in their quest for information. The librarian has the knowledge of what the students of all ages are learning and so who better to maintain a website than the TL?

A website is an extremely time consuming thing to create but very worthwhile. I liked the advice she discovered about starting small. It is extremely important to think of it as a process, rather than a finished product. The website should and will grow and evolve over time and I think it is important to start off with manageable pieces. I wouldn’t want to rush it and load it up with links that are less than ideal. I would rather have a few really useful and relevant links than a bunch of links that looks impressive but not really useful.

Reflection: Discussion about Physical Changes The Danger of Failing to meet the Needs of the 21st Century Learner

When we were discussing how physical changes can impact access in the library I mentioned that our library has only one computer for the students to use. I remarked that having a library which such little access to technology does not draw students in and does not meet the needs of the 21st century learner. We want the library to be the hub of the school and having access to technology to access our OPAC and online resources is a necessity. I thought Brenda really made a great point about the danger of having a library that is out of touch with the needs of our learners in response to my comments,

"Having one computer in the library is quite below standard.  I agree with you that that needs to change.... not only for the students to be getting the 21st century library space they deserve ( and want) but also to protect the necessity and integrity of our role as media specialist.   There will come a time very soon when libraries without digital literacy will be deemed "redundant" and prehistoric.... we need to make sure that our libraries stay alive and that means to keep up with the trends and ( if I may be so bold)  to set some trends of our own! Otherwise we risk being labeled "prehistoric".  Libraries cannot afford to function as book warehouses, ones that do I am afraid to say are existing on borrowed time."

I thought this was extremely well put. It is definitely an argument I will keep in mind when soliciting funding for new technology for the library.

Reflection: The Times They Are a Changing!

We had an interesting discussion today on the discussion board about technology and what types to use in the library. Sylvia mentioned that the TL in her school is not necessarily tech oriented and so the decisions about what types of technology that have been placed in the library might reflect this. I mentioned that it must be difficult for TL's who are not tech savvy. I am very interested in learning more about technology and still have a long way to go. In addition to instilling a love of reading in children, using technology to advance literacy skills is another aspect of the job that I am really looking forward to when I become a TL. Technology has really become important in the role of the TL nowadays and it is helpful when the TL is knowledgeable. My heart feels for those TL's out there who have been doing an awesome job but now find themselves thrust into this foreign world of technology! But I guess this is the way it is with teaching! The times they are always a changing! It is so nice when there is a teacher on staff who is willing to be a mentor in this area.

Physical Changes in My Own School LIbrary

I am not currently a TL but I have a very experienced TL who works in our school. She has worked in our school library for over 10 years and she had developed a very good collection of resources. She has nice displays and the library looks attractive. She has a very artistic eye and I’ve always admired the bulletin board displays she does. She has kept up with diligent and regular weeding and the collection is current. Our TL knows the collection like the back of her hand. However, despite her expertise, she does report that no one uses the library. One of the reasons she feels that this is the case is because she is busy providing prep relief for the primary grades and this leaves little time for collaboration.  Clearly there are changes that need to be made to improve access. I feel that it is important to be open to making physical changes to improve access to learning resources. I think that one of the reasons why the library is not being used is because there is nothing to draw the students in. We have no access to technology in the library which makes our library seem out of touch with 21^st century learners. We have only one computer terminal in the library for students to access our OPAC and so it never gets used. To be honest, I don’t even know if the students even know how to use our OPAC! It wasn’t until taking this course that I really looked at our OPAC and realized how great it is! I was embarrassed that I didn’t know that our OPAC retrieves lists of websites sorted by age readability level. I sheepishly started asking other teachers if they knew this and not one teacher did. Our library needs to be the hub of the school. I think this change is very possible, although it will require a considerable expenditure to create this. I think it is important to purchase 6 laptops for the library so that students and teachers can access our OPAC and online resources. I would arrange these around a hexagonal computer desk so that students can sit together to collaborate. I would also like to bring in a projector and screen so that classes could come down to the library to use it as a gathering place to participate in presentations. I would also like to purchase two comfortable loveseats and an armchair so that students can sit in a cozy and inviting environment. These changes would require a large expenditure of funding (approximately $9000) and so they would need to take place over time, improvements being added bit by bit. Our TL has so many years of experience and wisdom to share and she has built up an excellent collection of resources and it is a shame that it is so underused. However, these changes will help bring it up to the needs of the 21^st century learner and bring students in so that they can access all these wonderful resources!

The Librarian in the Digital Age

I believe that in this digital age it is important for a library to have a webpage. It is the role of the library to help users access information. More and more of the information that students are accessing is online and students are becoming more interested in accessing information 24/7. In order to keep up with the needs and interests of the students, a library website is necessary. I don’t feel that a library, acting as the hub of the school, can do without one. A good website will be designed with its users in mind. If the school is an elementary school, more kid friendly graphics should be used. If the school is a high school the design and content on the site can be more sophisticated. 

Based on the sites I have viewed, the most important elements that a library website needs to include are: access to the school’s catalogue, access to the online resources the school has purchased, information about the library such as hours, staffing, school mission, etc, and an interactive blog where news and information related to the library and the school can be posted. Another common feature is a page related to literature and authors, such as recommended reading lists, award winners, readalikes, links to author websites, book trailers, etc. Another important page is a parent information page which contains information and resources for parents and how they can support their children. Also some sites had a page where students and teachers can find links to online resources and activities on the web, often grouped according to grade. A page showcasing some of the collaborative projects being done in the library would also promote the library’s image and some of this was evident on these sites.

Because I am not a TL I have not created a website for a library. However, I have created one for my grade one class. I used Weebly and I would highly recommend it. Several of the teachers in my school are using it now. One of our grade seven teachers even has all of his students running their own webpages through his Weebly account (this is a feature on the educator account). He has them blog, submit assignments, etc all on their websites. He can manage them all through his account and it is all free. Creating the website was extremely time consuming to start and it still can take up a fair bit of time, depending on what I am doing with it, but it is manageable. I think setting up a library website would be an enormous amount of work (especially at the start) but it would be worth it. When I need to develop one I am going to set myself manageable goals and each year add to it. The library website, as I envision it, like Rome, would not be built in a day. It would be nice if there was a website made by someone in our district for students where students can access online resources on the web that we link to on our webpages. It would be great if teachers all shared their favourite online resources that they have their students use so that it could be put in one central place for all to access. But to start I would just put the essentials on first, and then gradually add to it as time allows.

OPAC – A Reflection

“The degree to which a library catalogue can be consulted easily by teachers and students is of great significance if teacher-librarians wish to encourage user-independence. A flexible catalogue will allow broader use of the school library.”

I definitely agree with the above statement. Students and teachers need the technological aspect of the library catalogue to be user friendly and they need to be able to approach it intuitively in order for it to be effective. Schools are very busy places and students and teachers need to be able to access the information they need quickly. If there is a delay or a cog in the system preventing success, the catalogue will not be used. A catalogue that is easy to access will make it more likely that students will use the library. The easier it is for students to learn the features of the program the more likely it is for students to use it independently. A catalogue that is flexible in accessing resources will strengthen the flow of information between the classroom and the library. By having easy access to both print and digital resources, the users will have access to an increased amount of information and this will help promote the development of information literacy skills. By having the catalogue available online 24/7, students will be more likely to access it because they can do so at a time that is convenient to them. By having flexible applications, the TL can examine the resources in the collection more critically to find better ways to meet the information needs of the users of the library. The ease in which the TL is able to use the various applications of the program determines the likelihood that those programs will be used to create a more efficient and effective library which will meet the information needs of its users.

My School's OPAC - Destiny

My school district uses Destiny and to be honest I had no idea how powerful the program was until I began this course and took the time to look at it. I teach grade one and I tend to get most of my books from the public library because their collection is so great and it is so easy to request books and have them all sitting on a shelf for me to pick up. However, our cataloguing program is really great and I am embarrassed to admit that I didn’t know that! Could I be the only one on staff who has missed this? I am going to have to ask others if they know about the great things Destiny will do and see if I am the only one who has missed the boat on this! For example, one of the great things I have learned is that when you search in a term you have a choice of getting the information from the print resources in the library or from websites. There is a tab at the top that you just click on and it will retrieve websites related to your topic. A summary will be given for the website as well as the grade levels that it would be appropriate for. One disappointment, however, is that one would think that all the content on these would be appropriate but I did notice that the advertisements on the sides of the websites are not always appropriate. For example, one search I did awhile ago had an advertisement box in the sidebar where you could rate your favourite porn. I was accessing the Destiny program from home, however, and so perhaps our school computers would have caught this and not allowed that to be shown. I will have to check that out. 

Another feature that is interesting about Destiny is that rather than a word search students can do a visual search by clicking on the visual tab. This presents them with 8 different images for topics such as animals, history, folk and fairy tales, etc. When you click on the image for the topic you want it will give you more images for more categories in this image. For example, when I clicked on history, it gave me three more image choices (exploration, Native Americans, pioneer life). When you click on the topic of your choice it lists the records in the collection that are related to that topic in the usual manner. It is nice that the covers of many books are shown so that non-readers can see the resource. I am not sure how useful this “visual” search is, but I suppose with younger learners who can’t spell yet this gives them an option to still do a search and identify a resource they want. They would still have the problem of having difficulty locating items by call number and they would need help with this step. The categories are rather limited and I suppose I should note the American bias as well, but I think this is something we’ve come to expect by now anyway when we buy from American companies.

The administrative options in Destiny seem really great. With the click of a button you can print so many useful pieces of data about the library collection. For example you can print circulation reports and copyright date reports to aid with weeding and generate reports to show the general age of a section of the collection or the entire collection which would be useful when advocating for increased funding for your program. I have limited experience using these applications but the ones I have tried are very easy to use and require minimal training.