Many of you have explored the idea of working in isolation as a TL in a school library over the course of this session. Some of you have felt further isolated by being in this role in a regional or rural school, unable to get to the nearest city for conferences and network meetings.
Something to consider is tapping into your own professional learning network (PLN) online. This week’s blog post is a quick reminder of how valuable finding and linking into your local support networks can be for your practice, and taps into Module 6.1’s forum question: What will help you be more productive as a teacher librarian in your school community? It also touches on Module 6.2a’s questions:
- Can you think of other technology or programs that could help you to streamline your work? What might they be?
- What are your favourite tools and processes?
I’m here to tell you right now, before you even go there, that no question is ever too silly, particularly when you are at the beginning of your TL career. Having that ‘brains trust’ at your fingertips can save you time, save your sanity, and grow your TL knowledge in quick bite-sized portions at time of need.
For example:
- How do I find that borrower report on Oliver?
- When is the next TL Network meeting?
- Has anyone recorded ‘Life on Earth’ to upload to Clickview Exchange?
- How on earth do I get students to put rubbish in the bin (please leave a comment below if you have tried and true solutions for others to gain from your wisdom)???
And there are so many more that can be asked and answered. Such power in having access to a collective of experience!
Some of you have begun ‘joining the dots’ by joining the Teacher Librarianship @CSU and the Australian Teacher Librarian Network (OZTL_Net) FB pages. Here are some other suggested connections you can start to make in order to build up your PLN and grow it into the future. Reach out, connect, and don’t ever feel isolated again!
- Australian Teacher Librarian Network (OZTL_Net): I’ve been part of this network since it started in the mid-90s and it’s been a valuable source of assistance as I grew my TL practice. Nowadays, it’s probably more active on its FB page, but the mailing list is no less valuable.
- Twitter: SO many great professional contacts to follow! My personal superstars like Joyce Valenza, Gwyneth Jones (The Daring Librarian), and many others. There may be local TLs that you know tweet regularly – find out their handles and follow them!
- Local associations: strength in numbers! Once you’ve joined a group like OZTL_Net that has a national focus, post a query to see if you have a local/regional group that you can join online or attend F-2-F meetings for regularly.
- ACT and Region School Libraries Network (SLNet): this is the link to the closed group FB page for ACT and region school library staff. There is also a mailing list for those working in ACT and region school libraries – just ask how to do so on the FB page once you’ve joined (or ask me!).
- RIVPATTER: the FB page for RIVPAT, the Riverina’s TL association
- ALIA Schools: the Australian Library and Information Association has a Schools group that they support in most States/Territories. Head to their page to see if there is something near you (the ALIA Schools group in Victoria is quite active!).
- PMBW Teacher Librarians learning group: this supports TLs in Penrith, Mt Druitt, Blacktown and Windsor (Western Sydney).
- Libraries Tasmania: this page provides links to all manner of support groups local and national for Tasmanian TLs and school library staff! You may also find the School Library Guidelines section of this website handy to assist you in running a school library.
- ASLA and state associations (active across all forms of social media): The Australian School Library Association is the peak body for teacher librarians.
- Other State associations (who can help you track down local/regional groups as well) are (in the order that they popped into my head!):
- Students Need School Libraries: Be part of the national campaign to support school libraries and qualified staff in those libraries! You can access the campaign films, resources to advocate for your school library, and resources to share with your school community to get them on board.
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