21st-Century School Librarians: Envisioning the Future

“No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it.”
—H.E. Luccock

This is one of my favorite quotes that I truly find inspiring. It reminds me of the partnerships that school librarians build and the collaboration that they utilize that set the tone for the success of today’s students. Empowering students to become enthusiastic readers, lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and skillful users of information and technology in the 21st-century cannot be done alone. It is often said that it is not about the libraries anymore—it is about the students, but what exactly can librarians and the library programs do in order to promote academic achievement and student success? First and foremost, school librarians play many roles (teacher, instructional partner, information specialist, program administrator, and leader) throughout their schools, and each role is crucial to the overall effectiveness of the library program.

TEACHING THE FUTURE ONE STUDENT AT A TIME…

It is imperative that school librarians embrace the opportunity every day to express their own love for reading and learning with their students. Let the passion for learning radiate throughout the library, because students need this energy and enthusiasm to truly recognize the power of literature and information. School librarians are certified teachers who can provide motivation for students to develop their own love for literature whether they are reading, viewing, or listening. Stephen D. Krashen, in The Power of Reading, says it best, “Reading is the only way we become good readers, develop a good writing style, an adequate vocabulary, advanced grammatical competence, and the only way we become good spellers” (2004, 37). Reading will inevitably strengthen students’ personal and aesthetic growth and lead to connections with previously read materials, personal ideas and interests, and real-world scenarios. As teachers, school librarians should be an integral part of the educational process as they spread the word that reading truly is “a window to the world” (AASL 2009, 12)!

NEW TECHNOLOGIES? NO WORRIES!

It is also important for school librarians in their role as lifelong learners to continue to learn about emerging technologies and how to implement these tools on a regular basis. As information specialists, it is the responsibility of school librarians to provide students with the most current and effective resources in the library. School librarians are often known as the information and technology gurus of the school. It is the mission of school librarians to make sure school libraries provide effective access to all formats and types of information in a multitude of ways. Students should have access to materials at school and at home and should know how to navigate their way through data and research successfully. With all of this access, it is important to note that librarians should be experts in the ethical use of information regarding the copyright law and the fair use guidelines. As information specialists, school librarians must help educate students to become competent information seekers and users in a technological world, because these are the skills they will utilize for the rest of their lives. Students today are certainly 21st-century learners as they continue to “[grow] up in a ‘wired’ world” (AASL 2009, 11). School libraries must adapt and transform into thriving 21st-century learning environments.

COLLABORATION IS OUR MIDDLE NAME

School librarians should be working side-by-side with teachers throughout the year to enhance learning experiences for students. As instructional partners, it is crucial that school librarians promote collaboration by creating lessons, units, and activities that will reinforce student learning. Technology has provided new ways for teachers and school librarians to collaborate. Why not integrate Web 2.0 applications and the curriculum into these collaborative lessons?

School librarians can enhance the learning experience for students by incorporating inquiry and critical thinking skills into curriculum lessons while promoting state and national standards. Together, teachers and school librarians can meet instructional goals and enhance technology and information literacy skills. School librarians can truly extend student learning outside of the classroom by establishing partnerships with public libraries, local and national museums, and many local businesses. “School libraries and librarians should not merely support instruction in their schools; they should be integral to it” (“Powerful Libraries Make Powerful Learners: The Illinois Study Fact Sheet”). The bottom line is that effective partnerships are crucial to student success.

WE CREATE DYNAMIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS!

A dynamic school library program is more than just having a place for the library. The school library, created by the school librarian and other members of the learning community, is the heart of the school. It is built upon the premise of enhancing the learning experience for students. The school librarian, as manager, facilitates programs and tailors them to the needs of the students. As a program administrator, the school librarian utilizes reading promotion programs, enhances public relations, and advocates and markets only the best services and products for their learning community. The school librarian envisions the future and integrates all aspects of a 21st-century library program into enriching the environment of the school.

An important precursor to creating this type of program is ongoing assessment. Assessment provides information on areas for growth and is a way to create a partnership with the administration. Other important information and guidance can be found by reaching out to fellow school librarians who are already seeing the positive benefits of a dynamic library program. A dynamic school library program “is built on a long-term strategic plan that reflects the mission, goals, and objectives of the school” (AASL 2009, 29).

The goal as school librarians should be to develop leadership skills and qualities to enhance the library programs, methods, and ideals in order to truly meet the needs of students and the learning community (AASL 2009, 45). I believe that leadership is the most important role of school librarians because it provides the foundation to effectively perform the other four essential roles. School librarians provide guidance and knowledge for the most precious of minds—the students who will be the future leaders.

As leaders, school librarians must be proactive and self-motivated to help inspire students through positive examples. A vision and plan should be developed and shared throughout the learning community with a common goal in mind: empowering today’s students to become lifelong readers, learners, and users of information and technology in an ever-changing world. According to Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs, “classroom teachers and administrators are often unaware of the role the school librarian plays in advancing student achievement” (2009, 47). Embracing these leadership dispositions can bring new meaning to “school library” in the 21st-century!

“Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs of those who would be affected by it.”
—Marian Anderson