Objective 4.1: Networking with the Library Community
Indicator: Candidates participate and collaborate as members of a social and intellectual
network of learners.
I have always thought it funny to hear one’s group of friends or family members referred to as a ‘network’. An image pops into my head of me, like a spider, scurrying from group to group in an attempt to keep my connections with everyone. As odd as my visual seems, it actually helps to remind me that my web is only as strong as the connections I make and maintain. Becoming a school librarian adds a whole new section to my web; it is now my job to integrate this into my pre-existing network without getting tangled.
I am excited that I have started to branch out into the library community. Although I was first taken aback by how large it was, I now see that it is truly an intimate support system for all librarians. From what I have explored, I have seen nothing but a community that values creativity and the encouragement of new ideas. An assignment that helped me to see the benefit in being a part of the library network was when I reviewed both Educational Technology and Librarian blogs. Prior to this assignment, I had no experience with the blogging world and was therefore hesitant to what I would find. I was pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of blogs that were perfectly suited for my needs as both librarian and teacher. From all of the wonderful blogs available to me, I chose six that I felt would best benefit me as a new librarian. Aside from describing each blog’s purpose, I brainstormed ways in which they could be used not only in my library program, but as tools to help me collaborate with classroom teachers. I was glad to come away from this assignment with resources that I fully plan on using in my own library as well as with future colleagues.
By reviewing these blogs, I came to see that there is tremendous support available through the library network. As someone who is entering this profession, it was refreshing to see a group of people who are open to exchanging ideas and encouraging a dialogue about the best possible resources available in our field. No matter how different each blog, I see that they all serve to educate librarians, as well as members of the school community, on the wide variety of resources that supplement all school curricula. Aside from viewing countless strategies for my program as well as classroom use, I was excited to see the huge push for professional development. I never knew that so many conferences, webinars, and groups existed—all for the sole purpose of connecting librarians and spreading their passion. As someone who will be a brand new librarian, I will need all of the support I can get in order to gain the confidence that it takes to do this very important job. These blogs illustrated that librarians truly value networking in order to create the very best products for our teachers and students. I am confident that I have entered a community of people who see collaboration as invaluable, as I believe working together often has the greatest impact on student achievement. I am positive that by joining the library community I have added a new group to my network that will mold me into a better educator. If I continue to build upon my web, I in turn will only become a stronger resource for my school. |
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