3.+Professional+commitment

Promotion of reading
It is the role of the TL to 'foster a reading culture through the active promotion of literature' (ASLA-ALIA Standard 3.2). Hay & Foley (2009, 18) support this view and aver that 'teacher librarians achieve this through collaborating with teachers and specialist staff, such as reading recovery teachers and literacy coordinators, to develop programs and initiatives that provide rich reading experiences for students.' The TL works collaboratively with the English department to ensure the Junior reading programs have a balance of reading materials. According to the TL this partnership is due to his passion for the non-fiction genre. Promotional displays are used to showcase the resources available from the library in all genres.The pictures below were taken in November 2011, before the library fire occurred.



As a result of the fire there is limited space available in the temporary buildings to promote reading.

This lack of physical space has provided an opportunity to enact a 'library blog' which was identified as a plan for 2012 in the Library report (Ogden: 2011, 12). Blogging, according to O'Connell & Groom (2010, 21) is a 'powerful personal and group tool for reflective writing, supporting the development of critical literacy'. Blogs can be used to 'develop reflective reading and writing learning processes, making them powerful tools for a digitally embedded pedagogic approach across the curriculum' (O'Connell & Groom 2010, 21). McShane (2012d) considers 'one of the most important roles of the TL is to promote reading to those students who are reluctant to read, for whatever reason, and to encourage avid readers to share their passion.' A library blog would provide an avenue for reluctant and avid readers to share their reading experiences in a format they are familiar and comfortable with, regardless of their expertise. What better way to promote reading than by digital 'word of mouth'?

Unfortunately, due to the school website currently undergoing an upgrade, the introduction of this blog has been put on hold until term three. If I was the TL I would make this blog a companion to the Junior reading program. I would set up a blog for each year level and this would become the platform through which students could develop rich discussion about the books they are reading. I would also transform the current Junior reading program journal activities to a digital platform to enable students to use a variety of media to develop their responses. This would enable them to post their responses to the blog, making their experience more interactive. This would provide a link for students between the learning and teaching focus of the school library program (ASLA-ALIA Standard 3.2) and provide more opportunity for collaboration between the English teachers and the TL. This in turn would become another avenue for the promotion of the role of the teacher librarian within the school and wider community and provide evidence for demonstrating excellence in professional service. (ALIA-ASLA Standard 3.2)

Leadership
Leaders must have a vision. A TL leader must 'exhibit a set of critical skills and understandings that begin with a vision' (Donham 2008, 315). An effective leader, according to McShane (2012c), needs to be 'goal orientated', they need to know 'what their school mission is and work in collaboration with all stakeholders (students, teachers, administration) to pursue this mission'. They are respected because they are 'not afraid to share what is working and what is not working. They are not afraid of change and are willing to embrace new technologies that add value rather than 'just because' (McShane 2012c).

The TL at SPP Site 1 is a member of the school budget committee, the IT committee, as well as being heavily involved in the SECA Cricket competition. These diverse roles compliment the TLs position in the school and enable the school community to benefit from his considerable experience in the administration of school projects (ASLA-ALIA Standard 3.3) as well as enabling him to engage with students outside the library context. In my view an opportunity for leadership has been missed as the integration of information literacy and digital literacy has happened from a curriculum perspective and the involvement of the TL in this process has been one of resourcing rather than educating. A 'whole school focus' on information literacy policy and implementation as advocated by ASLA-ALIA Standard 3.3, is difficult at present as all of the TLs time is taken up with restocking the library collection and investigating options for the new library. It is positive to note that the TL in consultation with the principal and other key stakeholders is developing a plan for the new library site that will cater for the growing school population as well as incorporating the rapidly expanding laptop program. This plan has been actioned and I have included a video below of the construction of the new library. This video was created by a staff member from the photo a day he took of the library whilst it was being constructed. It is still not quite finished and won't be fully furnished until December.

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According to his staff the TL is an excellent leader. According to the TL 'having great IRS staff is all you really need to succeed'. Their relationship is 'simpatico' (Lupton 2012). His advocacy of the important role IRS staff play to support the growing needs of the library have always resulted in staffing increases when needed. At present the audio-visual aide has had her weekly hours increased to cater for the growing demand for DVD resources available from Clickview. The need to increase her hours was not questioned as the organisational expertise of the TL enabled verifiable evidence to be produced to support his claim. (ASLA-ALIA Standard 3.3).

Of note is the staffing ratio allocation of 2.4 TLs per 64 teaching staff advocated by ASLA-ALIA (2002). If I were the TL I would begin lobbying for the allocation of another TL position to enable the library to operate with a junior school (7,8,9) and senior school (10,11,12) focus to cater for the addition of Year 7 to the College in 2015. This dual focus would enable a more concentrated approach on the development of information and digital literacy programs in the Junior school which would develop more confident library users and this in turn would enable the TL to provide more structured programs that highlight the inquiry-based module of learning of which he is a strong advocate due to his second area of expertise which is Modern History. I have already begun planting the seeds of this proposal and luckily the TL is very amenable to my suggestions. Using the Retech model as a basis for the program I have spoken to the principal about implementing a similar approach with our Year 7 and 8 classes in 2015. Consultation is occurring with the deputy principal who is incharge of timetabling. If I am allowed to proceed with this program it will be a way to demonstrate to staff and students the potential of the library to be more than just a centre for research (ASLA-ALIA 3.1, 3.2).

The TL at SPP Site 1 is a member of the BCE TL Network which has a membership of BCE primary and secondary colleges. He has identified that the majority of members in this Network are primary schools which is not always relevant to a high school situation. The Bayside TL Network, of which he is a member, has memberships from local state, private, and Catholic high schools. This network has proved the most useful as the issues and ideas discussed have relevance for a high school situation. The TLs at SPP Site 2 are members of the COTLIBS Network. They concurred that belonging to networks is a vital way to share knowledge and learn from other TLs (ASLA-ALIA Standard 3.4). I was a member of OZTL net but found that the volume of emails was distracting. I am a member of the Australian Teacher Librarian Network and much prefer this method of sharing resources. The posts give you instant access to articles and the commentary by those who post, provides valuable insight. Another bonus is the notifications also come through on my phone.