The Library is My Happy Place

Creative Commons licensed image courtesy of GDJ on Pixabay In researching global libraries, I came across the Beyond Access  Bangladesh program, sponsored by IREX and Save the Children , and read about their work in libraries in Bangladesh. This program started by working with twenty libraries to develop library programs for children. Before this program started encouraging children to come to the library, the library had no activities for children and very few of the visitors were children . The pilot program libraries were given supplies for a children's area in the library as well as four Samsung tablets loaded with books and games. Librarians received training and worked with children to encourage them to visit the library. I found an evaluation of the Beyond Access Libraries Program in Bangladesh and it included infographics stating that children used tablets 60,000 times between November 2015 and June 2017 and the monthly average number of children visiting the library ...

Image created by Holly Broadland for LIBE 462 using WordSwag app As I am currently a classroom teacher anticipating my first days as a teacher librarian, I look at the role of the teacher librarian with idealism and optimism. In past courses towards my teacher librarianship diploma, I have focused on the relationships a TL develops with students, teachers, admin, parents, and other teacher librarians as one of the major aspects of the role. I see the TL as the connector between people and knowledge. Teacher librarian as connector, image from FotographieLink on Pixabay I continue to believe that being able to develop relationships with the school community is an essential aspect of the job. If no one likes the librarian, people aren't going to want to go to the library and collaborate! Chocolate chip cookies, photo by Holly Broadland I created a Padlet in LIBE 462 entitled Collaboration in the Library . It includes my thoughts on how to encourage collaboration, and...

I have chosen to create a two-minute-long Powtoon animation showing my recipe for a school library for my Module 2 learning curation. I wanted to build on my learning from two weeks ago by creating my second Powtoon and I felt that the animated format lent itself well to a recipe. I am pleased that I was able to record a voiceover for this movie and time it to match the slides. I see a connection between my essential question (“How can I build relationships with students, teachers, administrators, parents, and other teacher librarians?”) and the goal of school libraries as a hub of literacy and learning. As I mentioned in my animation, I believe that strong relationships are an essential part of the recipe. You can have the newest technology, amazing resources, and flexible seating, but if no one feels welcome in the library, it won’t be successful. I think that time, another important factor in the school library recipe, contributes to relationships, as the teacher librarian get...