Theory+to+Practice

=**Bridging Theory to Practice:**=
 * Comparisons & Contrast:** Our text for the course, //Empowering Learners,// presents a vision for current librarians and librarians of the future. After completing my interviews and visits, I referenced the table in the text. It shows that currently the roles of a librarian in order are: teacher, information specialist, instructional partner, and program administrator. In contrast to this, the librarian of the future will be first an instructional partner, second an information specialist, next a teacher, and lastly a program administrator (p. 16). In speaking with the two librarians, I found them to be an interesting blend of the present and future. Visit number one lead me to a very traditional library program where a fixed schedule, obviously, leads to the librarian as teacher being foremost. In order to instruct nearly 600 children per week, it is obvious that teacher is the most important role. In my second visit, I found a flexible schedule where the media specialist is first of all an instructional partner providing resources, insight, information, and assistance when needed. The second visit was a more futurist view. I note that much of this is due to scheduling and the fact that one is an elementary library and one a high school library.


 * Insights/Ideas:** I received many valuable insights and ideas. First of all, I realized that scheduling, budgets, and the type of school where a library is located do a lot to drive the program. In addition, I am faced with the fact that to be a well-rounded librarian/media specialist, I need to be the perfect blend of teacher, information specialist, instructional partner, and program administrator. Wearing four hats plus that of a secretary (often) is very difficult. It can be easy to fall into the trap of putting the most effort into what you enjoy most while other things fall by the wayside. Both of the librarians that I spoke with simply love the work. They both inspired me to know that this job can be done, and can be done well.


 * Me versus Them:** What would I do differently, blend the two librarians that I interviewed together. One is a strong teacher and an advocate for print materials preaching the gospel of reading; the other, a progressive techie who sees the need to instruct kids on the best video equipment and online resources--a blending would go a long way toward meeting the needs of all my patrons while fulfilling the four distinct roles. Of the two libraries, ECS is much more aligned with who I am as a librarian and as a person. I love a small school, an intimate atmosphere, and the ability to teach all the children.


 * Recommended Changes & Program Improvements:** ECS--invest in a database and research the web express arm of Destiny; it sounds like Castle has made a good investment here, and it is a real need for the middle school program at ECS. Castle--spend more time in purposeful collaboration with teachers and invest more in books. Both print and virtual resources are needed in the world that we live in.

//Empowering Learners.// American Association of School Librarians. 2009.