Search Engines

I felt a little overwhelmed this week with my lack of computer knowledge. I spent the better part of the week just trying to figure out the technology terms before trying to formulate a response.  I have always used google as my search engine without giving it much thought.  I needed to find a recipe, a lesson idea, etc.. and I would google away.

This week I came away realizing that I need to make more of an effort to explore different search engines as this can provide me with hits that I would not necessarily have seen previously. I also realized I need to make better use of my school district's online resources which I was unaware existed until recently.  It has been a huge learning curve this week but well-worth it.

Access

This week's lesson made me really think about my personal beliefs around access in the library.  I found this difficult to answer/formulate as I am not a teacher-librarian yet.  I am however, glad and see the benefits as to why we visited this subject of access.  It took me many years to have a firm set of beliefs as a classroom teacher and if we are discussing this now, I feel I will be better prepared when I do eventually get my own library.
The reading I particularly enjoyed this week was David Loertscher's article:  School Libraries need a Revolution as I was keenly interested in his vision as to where libraries should be heading.  While he shares many different and exciting possibilities, many involving technology, I wonder how this could work in schools that are struggling to keep up with technology, such as our school and are lacking in technology support?  If I were in the library, I think a good start would be in establishing a library website.  I could see a site that is interactive and where, for instance students are able to participate in book clubs on-line.
One last thing.  There was much talk about ereaders this week.  I wonder- do students use them?  I have yet to see a student with one (I do teach elementary school, though).  I have tried to encourage my two teenagers to download books they want on my Kobo but no luck, they want to hold the book.

Teacher-Librarian's Role

This first week, after reading Student's Information Information Literacy Needs in the 21st Century: Competencies for Teacher Librarians, it became apparent to me, as someone who is not yet a teacher-librarian, the importance in having a clear understanding of our role as teacher-librarian as this helps shape our organization of the library.  Looking at 1.8 on digital access, I realized as there is limited access to computers in our school library, my role as teacher-librarian, in the short term, would be to provide access to the library outside the four walls, starting with a library webpage and building from there.

I also particularly enjoyed the bio about Melvil Dewey.  I found it quite interesting and beneficial having this background information when introducing the Dewey Decimal system to students.  I must admit though I find it a little overwhelming learning and teaching about the Dewey system and look forward to acquiring more knowledge about the system in Lesson 8.  
I do wonder how to maintain a balance between keeping the library organized and running an effective program.   Networking with others and taking the time to reflect on the decisions I make come to mind as being important considerations.  I do feel fortunate to be teaching in Surrey where there seems to be the support needed for someone like myself who will hopefully be starting out as a teacher-librarian in the future.  

"As the biggest library, if it is in disorder is not as useful as a small but well-arranged one, so you may accumulate a vast amount of knowledge but it will be of far less value to you than a much smaller amount if you have not thought it over for yourself."
-- Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860), German philosopher