Advocacy and Leadership
In reading the articles assigned for this week I learned that I am behind in more ways than one. I do not feel that I have been the leader that I need to be. In "Woolls" chapter 15 and in "Johnson's" article I found that I should belong to at least one national association. Just recently I joined our MSTA ( Missouri State Teachers Assoication) and our local CTA ( Community Teachers Association) and did not see a need to bother with anything else at this time. I did have plans to join MASL before the physical year was over, but I did not think it would be a big deal if I waited. After reading the article and the text; I see a need and wonder why I was never told before that it was important. I will take care of both MASL and AASL as quick as possible. I read that having these associations behind me is a good thing. They advocate for me in our legislation and our libraries need every spoken word available to remain a viable part of the school system. I also learned from "Johnson" that I can't complain about anything if I am not there as a member to help back the Association. "Woolls" mentioned the benifits and down sides if we don't have these associations available. She also explained that it can be expensive, but worth it in the end. Mr. Johnson complained about the cost but paid dues anyway. They both helped me understand the need.
I also learned that marketing my library is a must if I want to keep my library's head above water during budget cuts at the district level. I never thought that there could be a time that the library would be so expendable. "Dowd" explained marketing to me and the importance of not waiting to market myself and my library. She also explained Godin's theory in a manner that I could understand what he was trying to get across to the public. He isn't such a bad man afterall. "Woolls" explained just how to market the library and steps that I could use to complete the process. She said to market yourself and your library before a situation came up that could mean your not needed. She explained that by informing the school community and the outside community of your worth ahead of time will help to forgo a chance of being considered as a cut. I plan to put that information to good use. We have a senior citizen luncheon that goes on here in our town monthly and the people who attend would be one of my best assests. "Woolls" suggested a presentation with slides so that folks could see just what does go on in the library and to show how we are needed. I plan to do that. Another thing I plan to do is copy and post in my library the "50 ways to succeed @ your library," She said that most of these were at little or no cost but could help me "become the professional" that I should be. "Empowering Learning Through Leadership" gave me more guidelines to help me succeed. Actions the library specialist can do, how to build relationships with staff and administration, and how to grow in a global society by making the "move toward a more connected, collaborative form of leadership." The text give characteristics of a good leader and how that leader can plan for the future by "retooling, continuously reflecting on progress and building our learning environment that supports the skills students need." I was glad to read these chapters and articles!
"Hamilton's" article reinforced or backed up what "Dowd" had said in her article. We may be the ones missing the point and not Seth Godin. With both the articles explaining his meaning and reasoning for his opinions it just made it easier to understand that I have to be the one to focus on the "learning process" of our students and not just the keeper of the items. I think by starting with the presentation at the luncheon I can make myself and my library more visible. "Sara Johns" article gave me a visual through reading of a way to make the things that go on in the library visible. Her story of Rebecca and her one single goal for her evaluation was a joy to read. She used what could have been a difficult evaluation and turned it into a positive marketing situation and continued the process quarterly. Way to go Rebecca; you showed everyone why you were needed!
"Kimberly Shearers'" article was short but upbeat! She started with Facebook and flowed into technology and the Common Core Standards. I do not know much about these standards and how they will affect the library, but she explains how the librarian will help the students "connect" technology and creativity. She tells me that our students will have to be a master of technology, evaluate themselves and information, collaborate with others but most of all be readers. Sounds like our 21st Century Standards to me. Ms. Shearer explains that students will not have to worry that the professional will be by their side. The librarian.
" The Daring Librarian", what a wonderful change to just reading an article. Being transparent and visible at the same time and using the fashionista in all of us to present it was fun. "Jones" explains eight social medias that could make your library visible. She suggest that we start with a wiki. She said they were "free to the educator and easy to create." That is good news. Expect for this class I had never heard of a blog, now she adds twitter, flicker and G+. Facebook is something that I have never heard anything good about and have never joined it. Google+ I learned to use within my classes here at UCMO. Linkedin, she calls the "yellow book". Another one that is new to me. She informs me that it is a "funnel" and one that we can all use when we are searching for a specific topic. Youtube and Google Apps are last to be explained and she explains how we can use these in the library as well. Such an easy read, with so much information packed into it and thought provoking questions at the end. This article rocked!
Three Questions:
1) What can we add to the marketing strategies given that may help everyone promote their library?
2) Of the 8 social medias suggested by "Jones" which one would you suggest to NOT be used in the High School Library?
3) Will we have straight forward guidelines from the Common Core Standards for the Library?
I will answer question 2 and say the Linkedin would not be that important to them yet. They should learn about it and its importance but to use as a marketing tool, I would say no. They should be acquainted with the others already and probably teach us a few things!
ReplyDelete2.
ReplyDeleteI think incorporating social media into schools is a powerful, effective way to engage students, parents, and staff. The only one listed that I may not be totally comfortable using is youtube. It’s a wonderful way to watch/upload videos and create a following, but since I’ve never uploaded I’m not sure how secure it is. There are many inappropriate videos on youtube and I’d have to research first if there are ways to restrict what students are able to access. Also I think a teacher or librarian would need to approve videos created by students and then post them rather than allowing students to create videos and post them on their own.
2.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to say which one to not use. The articles really focus on using what your community needs. There would be some sort of need for all of them, but polling your students/staff/administration may be a good way to find out which ones to start with, as I'm sure incorporating all of them is a daunting task. But I whole-heartedly agree that we need to ensure we are meeting the needs of our learning community.
3. I would imagine that we would eventually have "straight forward guidelines from the Common Core Standards for the Library." If this doesn't happen, then we need to advocate for it. For one thing, it would tie the library in to what the rest of the teachers are teaching and it would show that the library is indeed an important part of the school community thus do not cut it out or minimize its importance.
ReplyDeleteIn response to your question, "Of the 8 social medias suggested by "Jones" which one would you suggest to NOT be used in the High School Library?" I don't believe there is anyone one right answer. Each school district has set up different expectations for their staff and students with references to the types of social media's that were listed may fall under those guidelines. I don't believe its the social media itself that may cause the potential problems but a lack of clearly outlined expectations for both students and staff.
ReplyDeleteIn response to question number 2, I will have to say that LinkedIn is not an important web tool for high school students to use. That social media site is more for individuals who are already out in the work force. It's a great networking tool, but if the students in high school are not working or don't know what they'd like to do when they get out of college, I don't see LinkedIn being the media source they'd want to be using.
ReplyDeleteIn response to your second question, I would probably have to echo the sentiments of Amber and Kelly in saying that LinkedIn doesn't seem particularly necessary in the high school environment. I suppose librarians could use it to network with other librarians and educators (though it would seem to me that there are much more efficient ways of doing that), but as any sort of web presence/representation, I think it would be highly-ineffective since you're required to log in to view a full profile, and how many people actually have LinkedIn accounts? I would think one would be better off just building a personal website (with Wikispaces or Google Pages whatever) and using that as the "funnel" that Jones talks about, including a personal biography and curriculum vitae and whatever other information might be pertinent.
ReplyDeleteIf I would have to choose one of the social media tools, I would have to say LinkdIn. I don't know a lot about LinkdIn other than you can get your name out ther for prospective employers. I would probably at least wait until the students are Seniors in high school. I assume that students would know whether they are going staight into higher education or straight into the work world. I think that students that have invested time in career tech schooling, while in high school would benefit from LinkdIn.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to you joining MASL and hopefully AASL as well. In order to join AASL you have to join ALA first, which is what makes joining AASL so expensive.
ReplyDeleteI agree that LinkedIn is the least useable of the social tools mentioned. I've not had much success with Google+ yet either. The issue is that there are only so many tools you can keep up with and that one hasn't made it to my list yet.