Valuing the impact of the teacher librarian from an evidence base

Evidence-based practice as it applies to the Library and Information (LIS) sector and in particular teacher librarians is the focus of this research investigation. The context for this research is Australian school libraries and teacher librarians. This is a research in progress and the report here will include some very early findings and lessons learned from the initial pilot study. The contributions of this research will be in developing a framework for the library and information sector with a particular application for teacher librarians. Providing meaningful evidence of work practices that demonstrate contributions to the schools goals and mission statements in conjunction with contributions to student academic, social and cultural achievements are crucial for the future of the teacher librarian.

Adding value: Principals’ perceptions of the role of the teacher-librarian

This paper reports on a study into principals’ perceptions of the role of the teacher-librarian. Nine principals in Australia were interviewed about the role of the teacher-librarian and library in their school. The findings indicated a range of ways in which the teacher-librarian adds value to the school, including in their role as teacher, providing the principal with a broad perspective on the workings of the school, providing advice and ideas, and providing leadership in the use of information and communications technology (ICT) at the school. It also identified a number of personal qualities valued by principals.

Teacher-librarian's handbook.

Mode of access: Internet.

The getting of wisdom : reflections of a teaching librarian

The shift in focus from teaching to learning in higher education can be paralleled in the shift from bibliographic instruction to information literacy. This move has resulted in a change of role from librarians as service providers to educators. This paper argues that in order to facilitate students' 'getting of wisdom', librarians who design and deliver information literacy programs should see themselves as teachers rather than trainers. It compares the role of the school teacher-librarian with that of the academic teaching librarian. The implications of a dominant training paradigm result in the reduction of information literacy to lower order surface learning. Support for teaching librarians is crucial in changing roles and self-image.

Social media and Web 2.0 : teacher-librarians, risk and inequity

This paper reports research into teacher-­‐librarians’ perceptions of using social media and Web 2.0 in teaching and learning. A pilot study was conducted with teacher-­‐librarians in five government schools and five private schools in southeast Queensland. The findings revealed that there was a strong digital divide between government schools and private schools, with government schools suffering severe restrictions on the use of social media and Web 2.0, leading to an unsophisticated use of these technologies. It is argued that internet ‘over-­‐ blocking’ may lead to government school students not being empowered to manage risks in an open internet environment. Furthermore, their use of information for academic and recreational learning may be compromised. This has implications particularly for low socioeconomic students, leading to further inequity in the process and outcomes of Australian education.

School libraries, teacher-librarians and their contribution to student literacy development in Gold Coast schools

This is the first research focusing on Gold Coast school libraries and teacher- librarians. It presents a detailed picture of library provision and staffing at a representative group of 27 government and non-government schools at the Gold Coast. It shows links between employment of a teacher-librarian and higher NAPLAN reading and writing scores. And it presents the principals’ generally positive views about teacher-librarians’ contribution to reading and literacy at their schools. The findings respond in part to the recent government inquiry’s call (House of Representatives, 2011) for research about the current staffing of school libraries in Australia, and the influence of school libraries and teacher-librarians on students’ literacy and learning outcomes. While the study has focused on a relatively small group of school libraries, it has produced a range of significant outcomes: • An extensive review of international and Australian research showing impacts of school libraries and teacher-librarians on students’ literacy and learning outcomes • Findings consistent with international research showing: - An inverse relationship between lower student to EFT library staff ratio and higher school NAPLAN scores for reading and writing - Schools that employ a teacher-librarian tend to achieve school NAPLAN scores for respective year levels that are higher than the national mean It is anticipated that the study’s findings will be of interest to education authorities, school leadership teams, teacher-librarians, teachers and researchers. The findings provide evidence to: • inform policy development and strategic planning for school libraries that respond to the literacy development needs of 21st century learners • inform school-based management of school libraries • inform curriculum development and teacher-librarian practice • support further collaborative research on a State or national level • enhance conceptual understandings about relationship(s) between school libraries, teacher-librarians and literacy/information literacy development • support advocacy about school libraries, teacher-librarians and their contribution to literacy development and student learning in Australian schools SLAQ President Toni Leigh comments: “It is heartening to see findings which validate the critical role teacher-librarians play in student literacy development and the positive correlation of higher NAPLAN scores and schools with a qualified teacher-librarian. Also encouraging is the high percentage of school principals who recognise the necessity of a well resourced school library and the positive influence of these libraries on student literacy”. This research arises from a research partnership between School Library Association of Queensland (SLAQ) and Children and Youth Research Centre, QUT. Lead researcher: Dr Hilary Hughes, Children and Youth Research Centre, QUT Research assistants: Dr Hossein Bozorgian, Dr Cherie Allan, Dr Michelle Dicinoski, QUT SLAQ Research Reference Group: Toni Leigh, Marj Osborne, Sally Fraser, Chris Kahl and Helen Reynolds Reference: House of Representatives. (2011). School libraries and teacher librarians in 21st century Australia. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia. http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees?url=ee/schoollibraries/report.htm

School libraries, teacher-librarians and literacy at Gold Coast schools : research findings

This paper reports research about school libraries, teacher-librarians and their contribution to literacy development. It presents an evidenced based snapshot, from the principals’ perspective, of 27 school libraries in the Gold Coast area of Australia. These new Australian findings show: • an evidenced based snapshot of school libraries and teacher-librarians, from the principals’ perspective • indications that school NAPLAN scores for reading and writing were generally higher when (a) student to library staff ratios were lower (i.e. better) and (b) the school had a teacher-librarian. The research responds to the Australian Government inquiry into school libraries and teacher-librarians (2010-11) which identified an urgent need for current data about provision and staffing of school libraries and their influence on student literacy and learning. In light of the National plan for school improvement (Australian Government, 2013), the findings are of potential interest to education authorities, school leadership teams, teacher-librarians, teachers and researchers. They offer evidence to inform policy development, strategic planning and advocacy about school libraries and teacher-librarians in supporting the reading, literacy and learning needs of 21st century learners.

School libraries and teacher-librarians : evidence of their contribution to student literacy and learning

International research provides compelling evidence that school libraries and teacher-librarians make a significant contribution to student literacy and learning outcomes. After summarising previous research, this article presents recent research focused on Gold Coast schools. These new Australian findings present an evidenced based snapshot of school libraries and teacher-librarians, from the principals’ perspective. They indicate that school NAPLAN scores for reading and writing were generally higher when student-to-library staff ratios were lower (i.e. better) and when the school employed a teacher-librarian. In light of the National Plan for School Improvement, the findings are of potential interest to education authorities, policy makers, school leadership teams, teacher-librarians, teachers, parents and researchers. They offer evidence to inform policy development and strategic planning for school libraries and professional staffing.

Inquiry skills in the Australian Curriculum v6 : a bird’s-eye view

This paper presents an analysis of inquiry skills in the Australian Curriculum version 6. It juxtaposes the inquiry skills strands in the scope and sequence of Science, History, Geography,Economics and Business,and Civics and Citizenship with the Critical and Creative Thinking and Information and Communication Technology general capabilities. In doing so, it reveals the extent of inquiry skills embedded in the Australian Curriculum and identifies some misalignments and omissions.

A happy compromise: Collaborative approaches to school library designing

Designing a school library is a complex, costly and demanding process with important educational and social implications for the whole school community. Drawing upon recent research, this paper presents contrasting snapshots of two school libraries to demonstrate the impacts of greater and lesser collaboration in the designing process. After a brief literature review, the paper outlines the research design (qualitative case study, involving collection and inductive thematic analysis of interview data and student drawings). The select findings highlight the varying experiences of each school’s teacher-librarian through the four designing phases of imagining, transitioning, experiencing and reimagining. Based on the study’s findings, the paper concludes that design outcomes are enhanced through collaboration between professional designers and key school stakeholders including teacher-librarians, teachers, principals and students. The findings and recommendations are of potential interest to teacher-librarians, school principals, education authorities, information professionals and library managers, to guide user-centred library planning and resourcing.

Survey of Staff and Organization of Private Secondary School Libraries in Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State

The teacher-librarian and organization of private secondary school libraries in Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State was the focus of the study. A structured questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. Copies of questionnaires were administered to staff of six school libraries surveyed. The study revealed that none of the staff were professionally qualified, which resulted in poor and haphazard organization of the resources in all the schools surveyed. Recommendations were made to improve library services, including pr

Animar a hora do conto na sala de aula e na biblioteca: o professor e a promoção da leitura

O tema surgiu pela necessidade de saber mais sobre o trabalho do professor bibliotecário, função bastante recente, e compreender aquilo que poderá ser o seu desempenho enquanto animador de leitura. Por outro lado, quisemos verificar se, o espaço da biblioteca escolar estava se constitui num espaço onde se desenvolve adequadamente e consolida hábitos de leitura, não só através do professor bibliotecário mas da parceria deste com outros professores, para que haja interacção necessária no sentido de melhor desenvolver a aprendizagem dos alunos, durante o processo educativo das crianças. Sendo estas algumas das nossas maiores preocupações, um dos aspectos que quisemos conhecer foram as estratégias de dinamização da Hora do Conto desenvolvidas por estes professores. Outro ponto importante, consiste em verificar se a animação da leitura é conduzida para que os alunos se sintam motivados a ouvir uma história, bem como com a preocupação de fazer com que os alunos aprendam a gostar de ler e produzir sentido a partir do que lêem. Assim, apontamos para aspectos importantes acerca da função exercida pelo professor bibliotecário e o professor titular de turma, ora questionando, ora indicando acerca do desempenho, ora tentando compreender o perfil de cada um deles, visto que ocupam lugares simbólicos distintos. Possivelmente, a animação da Hora do Conto, ainda, se constitui como um desafio para os professores de maneira geral e, em especial, para o professor bibliotecário. v Então, consideramos de suma importância a observação da dinamização da Hora do Conto, pois, que é na acção que se pode produzir significados para novas abordagens teóricas. Desta forma, o nosso trabalho consistiu principalmente em tentar perceber como o professor bibliotecário e o professor titular de turma animam o momento da Hora do Conto, isto é, que “alma” emprestam às histórias neste momento que é de formação de leitores. Além disso, consideramos importante observar se os alunos apreciam positivamente a Hora do Conto e se ficam satisfeitos com a dinamização aí realizada, bem como com a leitura proporcionada tanto no contexto de sala de aula como de biblioteca. As nossas bases metodológicas foram sustentadas através de entrevistas, questionários e observação. Para tal, seguimos orientações de autores como, Bardin, Campenhoudt e Quivy, entre outros. Apoiamo-nos teoricamente em alguns dos principais autores contemporâneos que tratam do assunto como Bogdan e Biklen. Finalmente, norteados por alguns autores que se destacam nos estudos acerca da leitura e da pedagogia da leitura, tentamos analisar o que para nós é de fundamental importância, naquilo que se refere à Animação da Hora do Conto, ou seja, como agem o professor titular e o professor bibliotecário quando se propõe a formar leitores, e que formação possuem para dinamizarem a Hora do Conto de forma eficaz, sensível e significativa.

El rol de la biblioteca escolar: centro de recursos en el ambiente educacional actual

El principio 7 de la Declaración de los Derechos del Niño (Asamblea General de la ONU, 1959) declara en parte: "el niño tiene el derecho de recibir educación la cual será gratuita y obligatoria... Se le dará una educación que promueva su cultura general y lo capacita sobre una base de oportunidad equitativa para desarrollar sus habilidades su juicio individual y su sentido de responsabilidad moral y social, y para llegar a ser un miembro útil de la sociedad". Yo les expongo a Uds. que la biblioteca escolar centro de recursos es el instrumento general esencial para cumplir este derecho del niño.Dentro del alcance comprehensivo de materiales y la adquisición objetiva de sus materiales, la biblioteca escolar complementa y apoya todos los aspectos del programa educacional.Las bibliotecas escolares centros de recursos tal como se están desarrollándose hoy en día alrededor del mundo, están convirtiéndose en centros de un reto excitante. Son un reto para el maestro bibliotecario o especialista en centros de recursos o cualquier denominación que se use para identificar al bibliotecario escolar. Ellos retan la ingenuidad y creatividad de uno, las aptitudes gerenciales, financieras, la comprensión educativa y conciencia comunitaria, aceptación tecnológica y facilidad de utilización del mismo. Pero, más que todo, ellos retan nuestra habilidad para proveer servicios para estudiantes y maestros con tantas clases de medios como podamos traer nuestros programas.

The librarian and the teacher in general education : a report of library-instructional activities at Stephens College /

"An enlarged edition of a mimeographed edition by Stephens College for limited distribution."