Evidence of Competency
Goal 4: Synthesize theory and practice within a dynamic, evolving, and diverse information environment.
4a.
Collection Development Project
Outcome 4a. Apply library and information science theories, principles, and research to professional practice.
In my LIS 773 School Libraries course I did a collection development project in which I was asked to create or improve a section of the collection, I chose Social Emotional Learning (SEL). This assignment gave me the opportunity to practice identifying the needs of the community in a library and fulfilling those needs. It also gave me the opportunity to practice researching articles that supported the need for such materials to help justify to administrators the need for the resources so that I can present them with data to back up my selections. I was also able to get hands-on experience using Follett’s Titlewave. Every school library I’ve been in uses them for cataloging and or ordering, so it helped give me direct practice searching and selecting materials while checking the materials ages, tags, and professional reviews according to my selection policy. This hands-on experience gave me the ability to practice finding a need in the library collection and doing research to find diverse materials that both filled the need and were quality resources. I was also able to practice using a budget and writing a proposal for an administrator.
The collection development project gave me a chance to practice and hone my work flow while working through the selection process and ordering process. It gave me the ability to confidently find quality materials that are professionally reviewed that fall within the appropriate ages for a diverse audience while staying within a budget. All of these are hugely important skills and practices to have as a librarian in both a public and school library.
(Image Source: Wix)
4b.
AI Technology Blog
Outcome 4b. Evaluate current and emerging technologies for information capture, organization, dissemination, access, and/or curation to meet the variety of information needs of diverse communities.
For my LIS 724 Integrating Technology course I created a blog in which I evaluated technology use in my personal life, school libraries and different technology trends. One of the topics that I researched and evaluated was AI in educational resources. I researched Khanmigo, Magic School, and learned about the ABCs of AI. A very common component of being a librarian is being a reliable resource to teach how to ethically use technology and AI has become a large component of that work. I learned a lot about AI through my blog and learned that there are so many educational tools out there that include AI. School librarians are often included when technology decisions are made in school districts and recently those conversations are about creating district wide policies on AI use for both staff and students. Evaluating these AI technology tools gave me direct experience on some of the benefits and pitfalls of AI. As well as a way to question the AI tools and resources to make sure that I am keeping the staff and students safe, as well as SOPPA compliant.
(Image Source: Self)
4c.
School Librarian Interview
Outcome 4c. Demonstrate teaching and learning principles in relation to professional practice.
In the 773 School Libraries course Dr. Wyatt had us interview a school librarian. I had done 25 of my unofficial observation hours at Edison Middle School with Kori Wentzloff earlier in that semester and reached out to interview her. I tied the interview questions to the AASL National School Library Standards. Interviewing Kori showed me how a library director can really impact the culture in a school through the library. The interview and observation hours also gave me an opportunity to learn more about the impact of policies in a school library that are not always in the librarians control, such as collection policies, class novel approval policies, and book challenge policies. I learned so much from Kori in my unofficial observations and through this interview that I requested to do one of my clinical practice placements with her. I directly learned so much from her throughout the interview and throughout my student teaching that gave me experience and confidence for my future library. I truly see her as a lifelong mentor.
(Image Source: Self)