Theme 1: The foundation of Reference Services
If I were to use a quote to represent the role of a Teacher Librarian and the Library Space in current education as opposed to when I was in school, it would probably be: “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” Advances in technology has changed the way that we define reading, learning and education. The goal of the teacher librarian (TL) has not changed, in the sense that their job is to foster life-long learners and to continue to help students answer inquiries about the world around them.
https://slm-assets.secondlife.com/assets/9525579/lightbox/3snlud.jpg?1397601049
A theme in my journey towards my TL certificate is that we are trying to steer our image away from the ‘old librarian with glasses and a bun who shushes everyone’ to someone that is seen as a source to help find the answers to their curiosity. We are not only there to provide and show information but keep fueling the need to learn more: “For school librarians reference services are more than just information skills or activities: these services represent significant and meaningful engagement in a profoundly human activity, ministering to one of the most basic needs of humans–the desire to gain knowledge (Riedling, 2019, p.2).” TL’s are here to point students in the right direction of what the best resources or tools may be.
The idea of a specific definition for ‘reference work’ is never going to be concrete. We have learned, “…No definition for “reference work” is entirely satisfactory for GRS’s purposes, especially in the Age of the Web, and I will not attempt one beyond saying that “you know one when you see one.”(UBC, 2021).” As TL’s we need to be aware that we cannot categorize or define any resource as ‘reference’ or ‘non-reference’ as it may depend on the Inquiry of the user.
We all know that one can take various paths to get to the desired destination and I feel like this is what holds true when it comes to the Inquiry/Research process. There are many different models and steps that can be taken, but in the end, it is all about fostering life-long learners. So far in our coursework, various models have been referenced such as: BCTLA’s Points of Inquiry, Big 6, Information Seeking and the Research Process (UBC 2021). In our course textbook, Riedling defines the reference process as having three primary elements and five steps:
“The Reference Process:
- Information
- Student
- Answer
Five Steps
- Need for information
- A question
- The search for information
- An answer or response
- An evaluation
(2019)”
Our job as TL’s is to guide students through these various processes and steps and lead them to the answers of their Inquiry. This process will include getting our students to be a ‘literate’ 21st Century learner. As I mentioned earlier, the definition of a TL has differed a lot over time and this is equal to what we as educators should be expecting of our students. The advances of technology and information has changed our view of what it means to be literate. We are expecting our new students to: “Analyze information critically in all its formats and in media contexts; work independently and collaboratively to solve problems; make decisions based on accurate and current information; respect information sources and diverse perspectives; and communicate effectively and expressively using a variety of information and media formats (UBC 2021).” A lot of these skills are and can reference online resources that students are often using as reference material.
When building a reference library for your students, many factors are involved. One of the biggest that most TL’s face is funding. There is a lack of funding for the education system (do not even get me started on this one) so many TL’s know best practice, however, they cannot follow through because of budget restraints. In this course Theme we reflected on whether supporting both print and electronic resources is a losing battle, and in my honest opinion, I think it is. I am fortunate that my district has invested in many electronic resources that have been evaluated by our Library Coordinator and Technology team. Licenses have also been issued district wide, so there is no cost to the school or library. TL’s often must make some hard choices when it comes to budget, so why double up on one resource if you are missing another.
Our course readings offered information that traditional books and resources are still being used at a high rate, however the study that is being referenced is from 2003 (UBC, 2021). To some of us that may not seem like a long time ago, however, for me, that is the year in which I graduated high school and still had a pager (I did not even own a cell phone, never mind a smart phone as they were not invented yet). I feel like this should put the advances in technology into perspective. I am curious as to what the data would be after the year 2007 when the iPhone was released, or I am sure even by 2010 that data would be extremely different. Let us fast forward now to 2021 where we have undergone a global pandemic, and EVERYTHING is facilitated online. As we move forward, I think we need to follow the words of the Mandalorian and agree that “This is the way.” There have been so many advances to e-readers/programs and online resources in the last year that it would be hard for a lot of students to ‘go back’ to the old ways. I am not saying that we need to get rid of print based text entirely, however, I am a strong advocator for access to resources 24/7.
There is a lot to say and argue when it comes to ‘out with the old and in with the new’. There are a lot of good things about skills that students can learn from traditional print-based resources, however, as we have learned in this Theme, there are so many other types of multimodal texts that students are constantly being exposed to. As we move forward, I feel like the best thing to do is to utilize everything that you have in your Library, or Library Learning Commons (Library Learning Commons). It may not be ‘out with the old’ but ‘rethink the old’ and what value it holds in your LLC.
To sum up, we live in a different world and now I feel like we will be referring to our drastic change as a ‘post 2020’ world. There is always a time and place for print resources, however, we need to accept how convenient e-resources are for access to everyone. A prime example is our course textbook, I purchased mine and received it instantly on Amazon and can read it on my computer, tablet, and iPhone. This is convenient, as any time that I find myself waiting (like the hairdresser for example) I can read on my phone that is always with me. I have seen that others are waiting for a print copy, but how long do you wait? If there is access, then I feel we should be using it.
To finalize this post, ever since I watched Kurt Browning perform his on-ice version of ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ I have been drawn to old musicals. I loved watching Shirley Temple while dancing and singing in front of the TV as a child. I came across this lovely video that takes the old and reinvents it in a way that is enjoyable for everyone. I hope that this is the approach that TL’s can use when thinking about Resources in the LLC.
Works Cited:
Nerd Fest UK. (2015, October 6). Old Movie Stars Dance to Uptown Funk [Video]. YouTube. Old Movie Stars Dance to Uptown Funk
Riedling, A. M., & Houston, C. (2019). Reference skills for the school librarian: Tools and tips (4th ed.). Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited.
Star Wars Reaction GIF By Disney+. GIPHY. Star Wars Reaction GIF by Disney+ – Find & Share on GIPHY
The University of British Columbia. (2021). Module 2: The Reference Process and Information Skills. In LIBE 467: Information Services I. Vancouver, BC: UBC.
We’re not in Kansas-Gesture. Second Life Market Place. https://slm-assets.secondlife.com/assets/9525579/lightbox/3snlud.jpg?1397601049
