LIBE 467 – Blog #2 – Managing and evaluating reference services

Redefining Teacher Librarians and ‘Library’ Spaces

In this theme we looked at both the role of the Teacher Librarian (TL) and Reference resources, collections, and services.  As we move further along in this course, it is evident that the shift from the Library to the Library Learning Commons (LLC) plays a big factor in both the role of the TL and the reference services.  I feel like Riedling stated it best “As school librarians, we must embrace the continual changes, not resist them.  We must move forward to make the school libraries of tomorrow purposeful and exciting.  We must make information gathering effective and efficient–and create information-literate, socially responsible, lifelong learners (2019).”  The Library is no longer the musty place where the TL is the “keeper of the books (UBC, 2021).” 

As most of us in the course have experienced, this change will not happen overnight, and this shift is something that could take years for schools to adapt and accommodate.  As you can see in the video below, the concept of a Learning Commons has been introduced to BC for 10 years and many schools are just now making steps towards shifting their space to an LLC. 

A lot of these constraints come down to time and budget.  As more and more cuts are being put towards our education system, the harder it is to make this shift and maintain a current resource collection.  This is often a hurdle that we come across in the education system and many TL’s are doing their best to get over this hurdle, however, it takes time. 

We know that this is going to take more than switching up furniture, adding technology and creating Makerspaces in a library.  It also does not mean that we get rid of all the reference material in the library, however, it will make us look differently at the collection and how it serves the students and staff in a school.  Access plays a huge factor when it comes to reference materials.  The increase of E-books and online resources make it much easier for staff and students to access resources 24/7, rather than their scheduled Library block.  One of the big factors that I see in this shift is getting everyone one staff in the know and looking to those resources and knowing that they are available to them. 

 Following these lines, the entire school needs to be on board with the transformation of how reference services are used.  Using an Inquiry based approach, students will use reference materials and then express their understanding through their own choice of media.    “The learning commons philosophy is a means of increasing student engagement and improving student achievement.  The learning commons promotes personalization, inquiry, and the integrations of technology through the implementations of innovative curricular design and assessment…Within the learning commons, technology supports the construction of new understandings by the learner rather than the learner passively consuming information (CLA 2014).”  One model that this is based off is the BCTLA’s Points of Inquiry.

The teachers are no longer seen as ‘all knowing’ and are learning along with students.  This is an approach that needs to happen for the LLC to be successful.  I have seen many TL’s struggle a lot with this concept.  Many educators are used to being in control and knowing the outcome of every lesson planned.  The Inquiry approach is much different in which students can take information and construct their own experience.  If the LLC is truly seen as ‘the hub’ of the school, this type of learning will have a trickle-down affect and more of the staff and students will be on board.  It can be seen that “…the energy, caring and commitment devoted to changing the climate of one room can be a catalyst for transforming and entire school (Usalis, 1998).”

I was drawn to complete my TL Diploma based on the new LLC model.  I love to make connections with students and get to know them on a personal level.  My experience with technology is also another factor that has made this space a place where I strive to work.  When I have told people outside of Education that I am taking this Diploma, they often give me a puzzled look.  They know the experience that I have with technology and it does not always register.  I have to explain how the visual of a ‘Library’ that they have in their head is not the same LLC that I wish to work in.  The job is no longer just maintaining a print resource collection, rather being in the know of all the reference resources that are out there for our students to use for their own Inquiries.  I feel that the following video captures so much about what we have discussed in these modules and how the role of the TL is so important in a school community. 

The role of the TL is so exciting and I truly cannot wait until I can transform or take part in my own LLC one day. 

Works Cited:

Canadian Library Association. (2014). Leading learning: Standards of practice for school library learning commons in Canada. Ottawa: ON

Riedling, A. M., & Houston, C. (2019). Reference skills for the school librarian: Tools and tips (4th ed.). Santa Barbara, CA

Usalis, M. D. (1998). The Power of Paint: Refurbishing School Libraries on a Budget. School Library Journal, 44(2), 28-35.

The Points of Inquiry: A Framework For Information Literacy and The 21 st Century Learner. (2011) Retrieved July 23, 2020, from https://bctla.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/the-points-of-inquiry.pdf

The University of British Columbia. (2021). In LIBE 467: Information Services I. Vancouver, BC: UBC.