1.+Professional+knowledge

1.4 Have a specialist knowledge of information, resources, technology and library management
Teacher librarians (TL) are positioned to be the strongest advocates of the promotion of lifelong learning. Their position in the school is linked to all curriculum areas initially through the necessity of resourcing, digital and physical, as well as the spaces they provide for learning. O'Connell and Groom (2010) advocate that 'school libraries must be rich in resources and flexible in how they are used' (p. 54). There was clear evidence of this at both SPP Site 1 and Site 2. Even though SPP Site 1 is in the final stages of rebuilding their library, over the three years since this portfolio was initiated, the TLs commitment to ensuring that staff and students had access to print and digital resources via the temporary library and the library site on the school portal was always a priority. SPP Site 2 was similarly resourced and their commitment to ensuring that students had access to print and digital resources was also a priority. The key difference between the sites was the direct influence that the TLs from SPP Site 2 had on the development of information literacy and ICT programs for their school (ASLA-ALIA Standard 1.1, 1.2, 1.3). The following video was created as an introduction to their journey from library to iCentre.

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The following information is an outline of the program offered to staff and students at SPP Site 2.



The consultative process that took place to enable this program to be adopted shows a respect and an insight into what a TL can offer to the school community. The collaborative planning sessions that took place between the TLs, eLearning coordinator and other key stakeholders was a necessary process to ensure that all parties were aware of how the program would look and operate and the collective input from experienced stakeholders could ensure that the program suited the curriculum, the students, and the teachers (ASLA-ALIA Standard 1.2) O'Connell & Groom (2010, p. 54) aver that 'teacher librarians must be leaders, mentors and guides in literacy, multimodal media literacy, and learning initiatives in schools'. This has obviously been the case at SPP Site 2 as the program is now in its second year and will continue to operate with the inclusion of Year 7 in 2015.

The role of the TL at SPP Site 1 is very different. Due to the size of the school and the number of IRS officers it is not possible for the TL to have an organised program in place. It has also not been an option as the library has not had a physical presence for the past three years. The TLs knowledge has been called upon, on a number of occasions, especially with senior classes. He has conducted 'guest lessons' with Year 11 and 12 Study of Religion, Economics, and Modern History classes to promote the library's online resources (eg. databases) and to guide research skills and procedures during assignment lessons. He also attends English department meetings at Riverbend for booktalks regarding the latest fiction and to guide the purchasing policy (ASLA-ALIA Standard 1.2).

The following artefact is an email that the TL at SPP Site 1 sent to the principal in response to the Middle Leadership structure review that was taking place in 2014 for implementation in 2015. According to Wall & Ryan (2010, p. 9) 'it is the purpose of libraries to give equitable access to organised collections of resources that suit their users. Libraries are inextricably connected to the communities they serve'. In order for a TL to efficiently and effectively provide access to resources that fulfill these requirements it is necessary to consult with Curriculum leaders. I think the email extract clearly identifies the link between the TL and Curriculum areas (ASLA-ALIA Standard 1.2, 1.4).

