BFTP: To see ourselves as others see us
Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 06:30AM When kids go to the mall instead of the library, it's not that the mall won, it's that the library lost.
They (kids) need a librarian more than ever (to figure out creative ways to find and use data). They need a library not at all.
...the people who run this library don't view the combination of access to data and connections to peers as a sidelight--it's the entire point. Seth Godin - The Future of the Library
"O would some power the giftie gie us to see ourselves as others see us", wrote Robert Burns. These lines run so loudly through my mind whenever I read a post that is absolutely dead-on about libraries, but more often than not, written by a non-librarian. Godin's Future of the Library post, echoing so many of the themes of library conferences, is such a post. Read it, read it, read it.
When I read about school librarians in Los Angles and their interrogations about whether or not they are real teachers, I hear Burns's lines again. While I'm not that concerned about whether librarians take attendance, I certainly am convinced that librarians must own the duties associated with teachers if they want to be regarded (and paid) as such (1, 2, 3). Are we just shrinking in horror that our value is being impugned when we read these stories - or are we actually learning something about ourselves and asking tough questions?
Oh, I've always wondered why librarians work so hard to stay in the ranks of teachers, instead of working toward being considered administrators or directors. Do we have a innate inferiority complex?
Reader Comments (6)
Good thoughts to keep in mind as librarians in the Shawnee Mission (KS) School District are finding their positions in jeopardy. The district is retaining current certified librarians but replacing them once they leave or retire with innovation specialists whose focus will be on technology and who will oversee library operations as a sideline. These employees will have teaching but not library certification.
HI Ann,
Well, as you know, this is not uncommon. I wonder how much library schools are a part of this, failing to recognize the needs of public schools as technology makes advances. And it worries me so much that our "librarian-free" schools will not have advocates for intellectual freedom, fair use understandings, information evaluation strategies, let alone a mission to encourage reading through choice!
My grandsons, Paul and Miles Roberts, are in Shawnee Mission Schools!
Doug
Doug - It is hard for me to believe that there are library schools who haven't taken up the torch for integrating technology in every aspect of the library science courses. I can hardly believe there is a library student today graduating with library science courses who doesn't understand that if they aren't perceived as a leader in all aspects of information technology that they will not have a job. When I read about leaders in the field who are among the first let go in their district even though they have done everything right, then the problem is bigger than library schools or librarians themselves. The message simply isn't getting out there to the people who make these hiring decisions that librarians can bring the technology and the complex library services at the same time.
Yes,Floyd , your last statement certainly seems to be the case in SMSD. I had a lengthy conversation with the librarian who voiced her opposition the school board and she and her colleagues had the rug pulled out from under them and ,Doug, this seems to be similar to the situation in Eden Prairie where I served as an LMS for a short time.As you mentioned, this line of thinking is quite pervasive. I was shocked to see the "uninformed" (which is a kind way of putting it) comments made by the Shawnee Mission administration in a KC Star article regarding their perceptions of a librarian's job. If neither of you gentlemen have read it, I can send you the link. Both Audrey Church and Leslie Preddy of AASL have responded to the situation and the Association's Advocacy committee contacted.
I was recently elected AASL Region IX Director so I am hoping to find some way to assist. Seattle Mom's, we need you now!
Doug, how does your Kansas family feel about this?
Hi Floyd,
I couldn't agree more. The missing link for me is that librarians MUST take on as a primary mission the education of their administrators, school boards, and parents what their tech roles are. I often hear too many complaints about administrative training programs not addressing this. But we cannot assume any administrator will learn this stuff in classes. Do you remember my workshop stressing good communication efforts?
All the best,
Doug
HI Ann,
The conversation has not come up. Miles and Paul going to Belinder has a good but very traditional library as far as I could tell. Paul does not mention the library at East HS. I'll ask, next time I see them over Labor Day. The boys' mom, my daughter, has a Masters in Library Science. Perhaps she might be willing to be a parent advocate?
Doug
Hi Floyd,
I couldn't agree more. The missing link for me is that librarians MUST take on as a primary mission the education of their administrators, school boards, and parents what their tech roles are. I often hear too many complaints about administrative training programs not addressing this. But we cannot assume any administrator will learn this stuff in classes. Do you remember my workshop stressing good communication efforts?
All the best,
Doug
HI Ann,
The conversation has not come up. Miles and Paul going to Belinder has a good but very traditional library as far as I could tell. Paul does not mention the library at East HS. I'll ask, next time I see them over Labor Day. The boys' mom, my daughter, has a Masters in Library Science. Perhaps she might be willing to be a parent advocate?
Doug