Role of Librarian: Lifelong Learning

Lifelong learning @ Liferarian Workshops

Through this blog post, I am happy to share my learning, that I went through during the Category -3 workshop on the role of the Librarian in an IB Education. I hope this would help other liferarian friends get glimpses of this workshop. 

As a Librarian, our foremost responsibility is to foster and follow standards and practices designed by IB in various IB documents. Referring these documents would help us to understand IB concepts in depth. 

As per the learning engagements of the workshops, there were few pointers which need to be taken into consideration for best library practices:

• ATL skills,
• Academic integrity,
  

  Lifelong learning at Victoriass School

• Learner profile attributes, 
• International Mindedness,
• Continuum of education and practices,
• The STEAM appr
• Coach towards teaching and learning and
• Resource sharing and collaboration with teachers and students. 

IB Documents:

IB documents are informative documents, following and referring to them helps us understand the IB education system. Librarian is responsible for integrating and implementing technologies into the library. That makes the library a research hub where new and emerging technologies that aid and extend teaching and learning.   

Technology Integration & 6 + Framework

Information from traditional forms to modern technologies is considered an integral part of the Librarian. We must analyse that as a Librarian, how our library system would be in place in terms of people, places, collection and services. Also focusing on 6+ framework that aids us to gain an understanding of the librarian system’s strengths and areas of improvement. Integrating 6+ framework in terms are the following pointers:

• Curating the most updated information; 
• Caretaking the collection or content, 
• Catalysing library science and people, 
• Connecting reading, multiliteracies and various sources of information; 
• Co-creating resources by collaborating with the school community, 
• Challenging information, methods and critical thinking, 
• Catering to the users: student, teacher and parent community. 

In this way, the collection, spaces and services become an essential component for Librarian to bridge with users.   

Discussions

Some of the interesting discussions happened during the workshop, which all of us may think or discuss: 

• First discussion point was asking yourself: Are you a super librarian?‘
• Archetype librarian’s quiz helped me calculate and describe the type of information, readers, and services; I was providing as a librarian
• SWOT (strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) Going through the SWOT Analysis helped me look at internal and external personal capacities. 

a. Planning and challenges

Discussions about Planning and Challenges, helped me look at the day-to-day library services, the challenges and why, how, and what are the ways to resolve these challenges so that I could provide a continuum growth of library services to all users. 

b. DeBono’s Hats

Discussions in the course, about the De Bono philosophy and relating the different hats to the librarians, helped me interpret or analyse how vital is a Librarian’s role in an institution. The expectations from Teacher Librarian as a Media Specialist is to work towards expanding new skills and strengthen existing practices in terms of modern technologies and pedagogy.

Importance of Librarians

I do understand that these are the basic requirements of a librarian, but equally essential is to put them in place to run a smooth library system in any institution. 

This course acquainted me with the holistic approaches and knowledge of IB education system as a lifelong learner. The new concepts and ideas need to be welcomed, accepted and followed. I think it supports and energises academic learning as well as social-emotional support to the school community. The feeling of grooming and self-educating as a learner makes us strong and develop ourselves professionally.

Additional resources shared by other participants to read and explore:

1. Connected Learning Alliance 
2. Connected Learning Research Network 
3. Chicago Learning Exchange 
4. KQED by PBS
5. Excited Educator
6. Young Adult Library Service Association

By Arati Siram (Don Bosco International School, Matunga, Mumbai