Evidence of Competency
Goal 1: Develop a professional identity and philosophy within the library and information professions.
1a.
The Value of a School Librarian
Outcome 1a. Describe the evolving nature of the core values and ethics within diverse information environments.
The culture and opinions around libraries and their impact are consistently changing. During the COVID pandemic, libraries were praised for their problem solving to get materials to patrons. Now, many people believe that libraries do not have much to offer. Which, of course, is so far from the truth.
For my final in my 701 Core Values, Ethics, and Issues in Library and Information Profession course we were asked to do a research paper on a topic of our choosing. I wrote mine on The Value of a School Librarian. Unfortunately, many schools are getting rid of certified full time librarians in schools due to budget cuts, but all the research shows that they have a positive impact on students' grades. The research I’ve done in this paper will help me better advocate for myself and other certified full time school librarians as integral forces in the school for both staff and students. A certified school librarian knows about students’ rights to intellectual access, their right to privacy, how to combat book bans, how to find resources, and so much more. All students have the right to have a certified full time librarian in their schools. My research on the impact a school librarian can have in a school showed me that I can and will have an impact in a school library. It also has helped provide me the knowledge of where I can go for resources if I need to advocate for myself or my students.
(Image Source: Self)
1b.
Mission & Vision Statement
Outcome 1b. Demonstrate how a philosophy, theory, model, and/or major perspective of the library and information professional guides practice in diverse settings.
In the 773 School Libraries course we discussed the importance of the school library having their own mission and vision statement. We had the opportunity to develop a mission and vision statement based not only on standards and core competencies but also what we personally wanted our library to be. This exercise helped me think about how I wanted my future school library to be. It helped me decide what I wanted my library program to focus on and how to create a statement that would emulate that. This mission and vision statement will also support the decisions that I make for resources and materials that are needed in my community. It can also be used to justify decisions I make if an administrator, staff member, or parent have questions about materials or resources purchased for the library. It took me a few tries but essentially I want my library to feel like a safe space for everyone to come and find resources that can answer their questions and or support them without judgement.
(Image Source: Wix)
1c.
Student Teaching Clinical Placements
Outcome 1c. Participate in professional activities and associations, such as professional conferences and meetings, internships and practicums, and professional email discussions and social media.
In my final semester at Dominican University, I completed my student teaching clinical placements. My first placement was at Edison Middle School where I shadowed Kori Wentzloff while she attended meetings with her PLC, the Selection Committee, and with various ELA teams. The whole building was also under construction, including the library, and as always the construction was behind so the physical library was not complete. We pivoted and made a makeshift library in the conference room and pulled out books to make mini-displays. I wrote a script and directed a student library helper to create a video that taught students how to put holds into Destiny on their own so that we could pull the books out of storage for them. We were very creative with ways to get books into the students hands. While it was not the typical student teaching experience, I learned so much for Kori! I was able to help students and staff directly with many technology issues and was able to do lots of readers’ advisory. I was even able to push into some ELA classes to do some book talk presentations. It was a great way to get some insight into a middle school library.
My second placement was at Lisle Elementary school where I shadowed Stacey Weeks. It is one of the largest elementary schools I have ever been in with 800 students, which is bigger than Edison Middle School. She sees all 34 classes every week and has no aide, she relies entirely on parent volunteers! The Lisle Elementary library is also an open concept layout so it is surrounded by classrooms and part of the hallways which brings its own pitfalls and problems. I shadowed Stacey and helped plan and teach lessons and activities. I also helped process new books, plan and execute a Pop-Up program that she does every month, and helped plan and execute an author visit with Anika Noni Rose! The experiences I had through my clinical placements gave me direct experience with quality library directors that are doing amazing things in their school to create library joy and a love of reading. They were both amazing at letting me get hands-on experience with procedures, planning, and creating fun programs that I will be able to directly apply to my own future school library.
(Image Sources: Self, Top & bottom left - author Anika Noni Rose visit at Lisle Elementary, left - Caudill display at Edison Middle)