Leading the Way Toward Innovation Digital Age Librarians

Leading the Way Toward Innovation: Digital Age Librarians Cathy Collins, PD Chair, Mass. CUE; Library Media Specialist; Sharon Public Schools

Visions of the Library Old (but accepted) View: Contemporary Conceptualizations: Silent Healthy hum of voices and activity Repository of knowledge only found in items published (vetted) by a few Materials where information can be found AND created. Emphasis on books Books plus so much more! Librarian- Shh, control Library Media Specialist- Engager, Connector Heavy Oak furniture Flexible, open spaces Media controlled by a few (Globe, Time) Media generated by many including users

Visions of the Librarian/Media Specialist -Still Fighting Stereotypes! More Truthful Version! Fake News version: *Innovative, dedicated professionals *Shhh… *More relevant than ever! Through knowledge of curriculum & instruction, technology, PD *Books only *Leaders, “go to” people *Isolated *Connect library program to other school and district wide initiatives. *As storytellers, natural public relations experts!

Library Spaces: from Traditional to Learning Commons Model and Beyond. . . Value of Learning Commons Concept: lends itself to 21 st century skills instruction; 4 Cs and beyond. . . Our Story: Before/After Photos What We Did Right Challenges: What We Learned Along the Way Our Vision: Where We are Heading and How We Plan to Get There

Innovative Library Spaces: from Traditional to Learning Commons Model and Beyond. . . Value of Learning Commons Concept: lends itself to 21 st century skills instruction; 4 Cs and beyond. . . Our Story: Before/After Photos What We Did Right Challenges: What We Learned Along the Way Our Vision: Where We are Heading and How We Plan to Get There

School Libraries as Innovation Hubs/Idea Labs Joyce Valenza: “Well into the 21 st century, it is clear that the concept of modern teacher librarian practice is not clear. There is no textbook for what effective practice looks like in continually morphing information and communication landscapes. ” TED Talk: What to Expect from Libraries in the 21 st Century Changing Role of the School Librarian Manifesto for 21 st Century Librarians

Next Phases: Space Planning, Development *Student-centered, student-driven *Process over product: creativity at center of learning *Informal learning environments *Tie-in with Global Competence, STEAM focus: ex. HS STEAM certificate program, Sharon STEM Talks *Maker Spaces including contemporary resources, learning tools

Next Phases: Roles of Library Media Specialists Digital Literacy Team- Sharon’s model Benefits: *Expanded role allows for greater impact and collaboration across subject areas and disciplines; stronger alignment with school and district wide initiatives (ex. STEAM focus “School librarians as partners in STEM” *Shifting the image to expand the role leads to increased impact on student learning *Need for more “hands on deck” in the area of tech integration is met

Library Media Specialist: Roles/Responsibilities Leading digital citizenship Guiding digital content decisions Coaching teachers in educational technology Building new courses; workshop/staff PD, Sharin’ Innovation Day Curating educational resources; increasingly digital. . . Teaching beyond the library Supporting 1: 1 implementations Serving on School/District Leadership Teams Strategic Problem Solvers

Next Phases: Collection Development/Resources ● ● ● ● Books and Magazines Reference materials Maker. Space Resources/Human Resources! (STEM Talks) e-Resources (databases, state/shared collections) Technology- i. Pads, laptops, ebooks (readers, Nooks) Grant Writing (HUB Tech, Sharon Ed Foundation, PTSO, Book. List) Other

What can you share? Virtual High School, World Challenge (real world, hands on research & learning), Student Mentors (teaching younger students about digital citizenship), yoga clubs, Tenacity Challenge, Poetry Out Loud Programming: from Sharon STEM Talks, Global Competence Program, Books & Bagels, Poetry Slams, Game Clubs, Robotics, Girls Who Code, Boys Who Code, ADL, Makerspace Challenges in Library and out. . . PD: Pod walks; Badging; Sharin’ Innovation Day

Makerspace Challenges

PD Badging

Q&A We’ll write down questions and share out from here.