The Constantly Evolving Role of the School Librarian. Over the past twenty years, perhaps no position in education has transformed more than the school librarian. I spoke with two veteran school librarians to get a better idea just how much their jobs have evolved: Dr. Andrea Ange is a veteran librarian and web master at Campbell High School in Litchfield, NH.Marifran DeMaine is a high school librarian in Putnam Valley, NY with additional experience working in public, elementary, and middle school libraries. Andrea and Marifran were gracious enough to share the ways in which their positions have allowed them to support teachers and students in this ever-changing educational landscape. Through our conversations, it became abundantly clear just how vital school librarians are and will continue to be to education in the 21st century.
Librarians are Teachers School librarians are teachers, first and foremost. “I had two opportunities to choose from. . – Marifran DeMaine Librarians are Collaborators – Dr. Librarians are the Ultimate Facilitators. The changing role of the school library - The changing role of the school environment—where students have access to tech all day long and inquiry assignments set each student or student group on their own learning trajectory—means that educators need to re-think how and where we work with students during the school day to best help them navigate their learning. We know that most students know how to use a computer, but experience has shown that they often don’t work well online yet.
In order to function well in their workplace students must know how to organize their workspace, research effectively, analyze their information, and express their opinions and new learning successfully. Many workers today take their work out of the office, which involves being able to work alone as well as with others in spaces that might be considered non-traditional. Third space in the school – that space between the classroom and home – is an important place for on-site, individualized, and directed learning and practice. Sophia. Like this: Librarians' Changing Roles Can Inspire School Communities. How School Librarians Are Evolving | Tech & Learning. The traditional role of school librarian has changed. New technology and changing expectations are causing librarians to reimagine how they support students and teaching in a fast-moving environment.
Many have become media specialists, dipping into areas and subjects well beyond the printed word. Librarians now create and manage learning hubs in which students can interact with one another, the collections, and the physical space itself. In addition, inquiry-based learning, data science, and demand for collaborative working spaces are also transforming the work of librarians. With the correlation between high-quality school library programs and certified librarians to higher ELA test scores, at-risk learners are benefitting the most. Part of the evolution to a learning hub has meant dramatic changes in the library’s design, says Sharon McCubbins, school media librarian and tech coordinator at Cumberland Trace Elementary in Warren Public Schools in Kentucky.
Principals Know: School Librarians are the Heart of the School. School Libraries Matter: The Changing Role of the School Librarian. Untitled.