Role of the Teacher Librarian

THE ROLE OF THE TEACHER-LIBRARIAN
IN THE GREATER VICTORIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
In the Greater Victoria School District, the teacher-librarian works in collaboration with the principal, classroom teachers, school and district staff to develop a school library program that supports, enriches and implements the instructional program of the school.
The responsibilities of the teacher-librarian encompass areas including program and instruction, learning resource management and leadership in resource-based learning:
PROGRAM AND INSTRUCTION
- participating as a teaching partner in helping teachers to address identified learning outcomes through a knowledge of resource-based learning
- working cooperatively with classroom teachers in order to assist students in developing skills in information retrieval and critical thinking so that they may become informed decision-makers and life-long learners
- promoting reading and language development and literature appreciation
- supporting the integration of instructional technology and media literacy and becoming familiar with current technological developments in information retrieval
LEARNING RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
- establishing and maintaining effective systems for the selection, acquisition, processing and circulation of resources
- managing the library facilities, services and budget in order that these may contribute to the stated goals of the school, school district and Ministry of Education
- cooperatively developing school library policies and procedures
- participating in an information network with district schools, the District Resource Centre, the public library and information agencies
- organizing and directing clerical staff, parent and student volunteers in the school library
LEADERSHIP IN RESOURCE-BASED LEARNING
- providing leadership and promoting strategies for the effective use of a wide variety of learning resources which support and extend the curriculum
- applying skills in evaluating and selecting learning resources to reflect the curricular, informational and recreational needs of the school and its learners
- participating in and contributing to school and district activities which advocate support for school libraries and resource-based learning
- promoting school library programs in the school and in the community
- seeking opportunities for personal growth in school librarianship and participating in collegial networks
- developing the potential of parent and student volunteers
The success of a school library program is dependent on the teacher-librarian being able to balance all of the above given adequate staffing, budget and facilities in accordance with the entire school program.
Developed by the Steering the Course Committee and the Teacher-Librarians
of the Greater Victoria School District

Although I strive to achieve the description as listed for the Victoria School District, I must say that I fall short in many areas.  Last year I worked 0.3 and next year it goes up to 0.4 (2 days per week).  This means that the time just isn't there to get much of this done.  Classes are scheduled to come to the library once each week and there is little time left.  With my additional time next year, I am hoping to have some "flex" time where teachers can book into the library for additional time.  I think that I am strongest in the area of Learning Resources Management.  However, one of the main reasons for my embarking on the TL Diploma program is so that I can branch out further into the areas of Program & Instruction and Leadership in RBL.

 

Working collaboratively as a teaching partner with classroom teachers is something that doesn't really occur.  I have assisted some teachers with projects that they have done with their classes, but true collaboration never occurred.  This is something that I would like to work on next year, given my bit of extra time.

 

Parts of the role that I see as being essential would be:

- promoting reading and language development and literature appreciation
- supporting the integration of instructional technology and media literacy and becoming familiar with current technological developments in information retrieval
- establishing and maintaining effective systems for the selection, acquisition, processing and circulation of resources
- managing the library facilities, services and budget in order that these may contribute to the stated goals of the school, school district and Ministry of Education
- (cooperatively) developing school library policies and procedures