What do you believe are the most critical elements that make a teacher librarian an

exemplary instructional partner?

There are several critical elements that make a teacher-librarian an exemplary instructional partner. The
elements that contribute the most to my personal philosophy are building and creating a space for
learning; developing, strengthening and maintaining collaborative relationships with staff; and digital
literacy/citizenship.

Without the actual library space, there is no library and there is no teacher-librarian. Creating this space
is the foundation for everything that a T-L does. This is the opportunity for a T-L to put their stamp on
what they do and the school as a result. The choices they make will have impact and resonance over the
course of many years, should a T-L be able to be fortunate enough to stay at a school for a long period of
time. As critical it is to create a well-stocked, colorful, comfortable and organized physical space, it is
even more important to have a welcoming and inviting space, where students feel a sense of belonging
and acceptance and a place “where students do not feel judged” (Martin, 2015). Martin (2015) refers to
these spaces as “sanctuaries” and this word is the perfect description of what a library should be. The
library space provides the backdrop for the relationships to form and develop with students as well as
staff.

Collaboration should be a hallmark of a successful school library program and space. Traditionally, the
stereotypical view of a teacher-librarian was not one that involved much collaboration, but one that was
more of a gatekeeper and organizer. “Teachers aren't required to collaborate with the school librarians,
so the librarians say that an important part of their job is public relations” (Will, 2016). Teacher-
librarians need to become advocates for their libraries and to change the previous perception of what a
librarian is and can do. This advocacy is an ongoing part of the job and the way collaboration starts is
through this vital advocacy work. Levitov (2014) states,” school librarians must promote and model
themselves as an Instructional Partner and Teacher in order to expand perceptions of their role beyond
the one-dimensional version of the information specialist.” Once teachers find out what is possible and
what you can do, they will be much more likely to want to work with you, knowing that your expertise is
invaluable. “One way to spread the word is easing teachers' burdens” (Will, 2016).

In their roles as educator (the teacher part of Teacher-librarian), perhaps no part of this role is more
important than digital literacy. “Just as you teach your students the rules of society, it is imperative that
you teach them the rules of the digital world, and how to be safe and responsible with technology.”
(Ribble, 2011). For most librarians, the physical library space is inhabited with a curated collection of
books in which every book has been carefully chosen (Will, 2016). Unfortunately, we do not have that
luxury in the case of the Internet and online resources and therefore as teacher-librarians need to help
students navigate the often-overwhelming digital world where resources seem infinite but finding
reliable information has become more and more difficult. Because most students primarily use online
resources in their research, it is paramount that they learn the skills to find good, reliable information.
Moving beyond just digital research skills, “School librarians understand a democracy is dependent on
citizens who are well informed on all viewpoints about a topic” (Martin, 2015). Developing good digital
citizens is essential to students becoming citizens in the general sense and is necessary for our
democracy moving forward.
Question: Why else is teaching digital literacy and citizenship so critical for our democracy/democracies?
Works Cited

Levitov, Deborah D. "Getting Beyond Superficial." School Library Monthly (2015).

Martin, Ann M. "The Paradox of Our Profession." Knowledge Quest 43.4 (2015): 55-59. Tilley, Carol L.
“Reading Instruction and School Librarians.” School Library Monthly, vol. 30, no. 3, Dec. 2013, pp. 5–7.
EBSCOhost, http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=95832461&site=ehost -
live

Ribble, M. 2011, Digital citizenship in schools, International Society for Technology in Education,
Arlington, VA.

Will, Madeline. "As Media Landscape Changes, Librarians Take on New Roles." Education Week 36.12
(2016): 25-28.