TOPIC 1 ETL401 CANADA, HERRING AND MY FUTURE CAREER

After reading Haycock's article, I felt alarmed and saddened at the state that Canada's school libraries are now in. Although much evidence was cited by Haycock to support the validity and benefits of teacher librarians for student learning, so little is being provided by the state that the figures in terms of funding of resources and personnel are at a minimal or non existent level. This article really had the feeling of a voice crying out in the wilderness.

This surely will not happen here. The funding that DET provides for TL training and the number of courses available for training into the profession indicate the positive attitude which training institutions have for the need to skill appropriately qualified teacher librarians. Active professional organisations such as ALIA and ASLA and other TL networks also assist in keeping standards professional and dynamic.

Herring's article was a much more positive read and really helped consolidate the positive impact TLs can have in their school. Embracing new technologies and assisting students to use skills to locate and understand the wealth of information that is now available to them, as well as applying this knowledge in different contexts is a skill that needs to be taught by qualified TLs, hopefully in partnership with classroom teachers. I also learnt that resourcing a school library needs to be based on discussion and collaboration with the school community, so that the collection is relevant for the recreational and learning needs for each school.

After reading Herring's article, I feel positive that there is a future for teacher librarians as a profession. The evidence that supports the gains in student learning, the opportunity to have a positive impact on students and fellow staff through collaboration and also the challenge to progress with the use of new technologies to facilitate learning and a positive attitude to school libraries is exciting and achievable.

The standout quote for me from all the initial readings we have done so far is from the podcast by Dagmar Schmidmaier in speaking to a CEO, who told her " You're providing me with informationI didn't know I needed."

This impacted on me because it made me think of all the times that I have helped students or staff with an inquiry and given them a little more than their initial inquiry. It is the 'ah-ha' light bulb moment when they really understand and you see a little smile, a look of relief or a great big grin or you get a 'Thanks Miss"... that is providing them with information they didn't know they needed. The impact is also on the level of staying ahead, so that you are needed to help sort out all the information that we all can now access so readily.

I am really looking forward to putting into practice what we are reading and to having my understanding and practices challenged and extended.