The energy and enthusiasm of school library teachers build the culture of who we are. Humor and fun break stereotypes and this needs to brought back to our schools. Libraries belong to everyone, but the culture belongs to us. Students are our friends, their parents are our employers and will advocate for us. MSLA membership is quite close to 900, and there is power in numbers.
Summarizing previous speakers, the elephant in the room is the people who are not working with students, not welcoming people, and developing a negative culture. We all need to be ambassadors of best practice, and positive energy. Everyone should work at promoting MSLA and recruiting colleagues to join, and participate in the positive culture promoted by MSLA. It is a library, not a museum. If you love books more than children, you should re-think your profession. Be nice to children, and smile if it kills you.
Evaluation forms in binder should be filled out. They are read carefully and taken into consideration when planning the next conference. The MSLA conference is a great way to earn content PDP's as well.
Recognition for the conference committee, executive board, area directors. Mass. Board of Library Commissioner's - two members thanked for their attendance. Staff from Metrowest, Central, Boston, Northeast Regionals, along with New England Carolyn Markuson. Guest from Connecticut Association also recognized. Past-President Ann Perham noted for membership on ALA board.
School Libraries Work! has been revised three times by Scholastic, written by Terry Young, a former science teacher and school librarian.
Keynote: Terry Young, M. Ed., MLS
An educator for 32 years (New Orleans, LA) who advocates that we are the ones who can make a difference in the lives f every student. MSLA is one of the top 5 pro-active associations in the country. In 2003 the MSLA conference theme was Don't Whine - Shout! Whine amongst yourselves, but not publicly.
First edition of School Libraries Work! was first published in 2004 in response to a Scholastic publication promoting classroom library collections. What began as a simple marketing tool took on a life of its own.
Today's "millenial" students have different learning styles, taught by teachers with the same old teaching style. These new students have been influenced by contemporary events, are racially and ethnically diverse. They have been sheltered and protected (allergies in schools)in ways children have not been before, perceived as unique since birth, subjected to more stress, like to work collaboratively, more confident, love a challenge. Like to figure out projects on their won, and want to do it their own way. Feel they can figure out/do things without seeking permission or authority.
How do they learn? Through technology. Strong group identity that relies on each others strengths.
How do we teach them? Move to active teaching environment. Transition from a teacher-driven/passive-learning environment to a student-driven, active learning model. They love visual stimulation, graphics, group projects and authentic learning. Problem solving goes back to technology. Combine technology and communication and this is how they should be taught, not ban the tools. Students today think and do things differently because of the central role of technology to their lives. They want immediate feedback or they lose their interest.
What works for these students? Communities and social networking, first-person learning, interaction, immediacy, multiple media literacy. Scaffolding students for success when they come to the library, getting them to trust and believe the library is on their side and working for their success is key. These students get bored quickly, and the pace of service and instruction must be equally fast.
Knowing your students - names, sports, events, what motivates them to learn. Make personal connections.
Hurricane Katrina hit. Mold and destruction hit Terry's school, and destroyed the library. Only school system slated to open in September. Superintendent realized that unless the schools opened, the community would leave, businesses would close, no teacher salaries. Homes gone, teachers gone. As a former science teacher, Terry was initially slated to go back to the classroom. Instead he was deemed too important as a librarian to spare for the classroom. Linworth Publishing replaced his professional collection for free.
Partnering with author Sharon Flake and past partnering with teachers to read her books built a strong foundation. By seeking Title 1 funding they were able to purchase books and a week as an author in residence. Cost $32,000 was funded. Reduced hotel rates, support from Hyperion in the form of Flake's books for students. First visit - students made personal connections to Sharon, reading her books got huge buy-in and students were enthusiastically reading and swapping titles. Return week-long visit for writing workshop was incredibly successful. Contests for having cake with author based on written prompt "What did you learn from reading a book by Sharon Flake". Time consuming but kept reading and writing alive. Reading for enjoyment.
Library successfully renovated, shelves being filled again. Lost of visual displays, contests. Three rules in the library - Be responsible, be respectful, be ready.
Name of the Game - Public Relations
- Spread the word
- Display
- Think outside the library and outside the box
- Involve everyone
Be ready when opportunity knocks. If it doesn't knock, find a way to open the doors. Spend money in the community. Librarians need to be passionate. If that person is not passionate, a generation of students is lost. It always for and about the students. Every student (or teacher) should find what they want and have a pleasant experience.
Read professional publications, and read the books. Find something to motivate yourself every day. Display student work in the library. Go to the departments and find it if you need to. Seek things other than school that give you energy. Support teachers, make them look good.
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