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I will begin my first librarian job this fall. I think it's an exciting time to start, and I'm fortunate to have so many great examples. Thank you for this discussion.

@utalaniz

http://librarianincuteshoes.blogspot.com/

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Everything's changed! The mission and concept of a school library is changing at our school. We're becoming more collaborative, interactive and fun. We've updated our physical collection through extensive weeding and targeted purchasing, both in print and digitally. Our space is being reorganized so that students and teachers can work together and create exciting products. Mobile tech is there too- our catalog has an app, we're on twitter (@LibraryCH) and our resources are available to kids, parents and teachers 24/7.

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Mobile tech is redefining our job. Resource location involves more technological "how to" training. Ecollection development involves more stakeholders. I expect a significant shift in demand for recreational reading eContent among library users over the next ten tears as iPad babies grow up and downloading content becomes easier.

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By on

The acquisition and management of digital content is becoming increasingly critical. And given their background in collection development, librarians are uniquely suited to assume this task. But there are pitfalls, according to Michelle Luhtala, the department chair of the New Canaan (CT) High School Library.

In "Six concerns about trends in digital collection development," a recent post on her blog Bibliotech.me, Luhtala cites specific practices and misconceptions about econtent, which she's bringing to the table as a member of an AASL (American Association of School Librarians) group devising guidelines on digital content acquisition.

Her post, excerpted here:

I have concerns about the way eCollections are developing - particularly the following emerging trends in K-12 library programs.

Administrators/Board of Education members confuse owning eContent with technology integration.

Administrators/Board of Education members "gift" libraries with iPads/Kindles/Nooks, but fail to provide additional funding for eContent/apps, or tech support to manage them.

Libraries replace print with eContent, without making curricular adjustments to their instructional program to teach students and teachers how to access eContent.

Librarians feel compelled to acquire eContent from only one distributor because it is too confusing - for them, for students, for teachers, for business managers - to purchase eContent from a variety of distributors, thus materials selection is driven by who they buy from, not what aligns with the curriculum. This is a classic example of the tail wagging the dog.

Distributors are "packaging" eContent, and marketing these packages as Common Core aligned, or standards aligned. This is a burgeoning industry, and I predict it will grow to include instructional materials and assessments. It is our job to develop our collections, aligning them with our school/district's curriculum - not to buy ready-made packages from vendors. It is our job to create, instructional materials, and to determine how to best assess our students' learning.

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Librarian Cites 'Concerning' Trends in Digital Collection Development

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By on The acquisition and management of digital content is becoming increasingly critical. And given their background in collection development, librarians are uniquely suited to assume this task. But there are pitfalls, according to Michelle Luhtala, the department chair of the New Canaan (CT) High School Library.

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I am entering my 3rd year as the Teacher Librarian at Bettendorf. My first year was spent evaluating and weeding our collection to prepare for renovation. The spring/summer of 2012 the library was completely renovated. The space is conducive to multiple types of activities. Small group, large group, computer lab for full classes, a design lab for specific programs (virtual reality), soft seating, cafe style seating and a training lab. Each one of these spaces creates an atmosphere where students can feel comfortable exploring and creating. We also took the opportunity to change our organizational system to genre/subject. Since we had to touch each and every book in our collection, it made sense to organize it in a way that I felt would be best for my students and teachers. Our fiction is genre based and is at the center of our library. My non-fiction is subject based and is getting smaller. My plan was to utilize digital resources for our non-fiction as they will be easily accessible to our students 24/7, 365--since we are a 1:1 school. These digital resources are constantly updated and verified and are more cost-efficient. I would consider technology integration to be one of my most important roles. Establishing a relationship with both teachers and students so they see me as a resource for both information and technology is crucial in my role as a teacher librarian. The library has become an active place where students can come to collaborate, communicate and create--exactly what we want them to be doing!

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Before and after pictures of the Bettendorf High School Library.

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Deron Durflinger Van Meter Community School Superintendent & Secondary Principal

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Deron Durflinger Van Meter Community School Superintendent & Secondary Principal

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I think the role of the teacher librarian has changed dramatically in our school over the last few years. Shannon is no longer expected to just be in the library and wait for kids or teachers to come find her, she is constantly (24/7 it seems:)) communicating with students, teachers, and parents about information or resources they might need to help them be successful in whatever it is they are working on. She is a valued resource that our students and staff use regularly. Since she is so accessible, it makes her role more valuable than it has ever been. She is trusted with finding resources and tools that make learning and creating easier for our students and staff.

Our library is a very dynamic place. It is busy. It is comfortable. It is relaxing and a place people want to go hangout. We hope to continue to see even more collaborative spaces so students and teachers can work together more effectively. It is really a hub of learning activity.

We are becoming more and more digital as a district as well. I believe even Shannon was a little reluctant towards ebooks and digital resources initially because of the fear of losing out on the ability to actually hold the book, but now our students have access to thousands of digital resources at their disposal. Again, this makes the library a place of constant activity.

So, to me the biggest change really is the steady stream of activity in a library today. We are always connected and can learn and share resources at anytime from any place.

Deron Durflinger

Superintendent/Secondary Principal

Van Meter Schools

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I am very conscious that this will be my last semester in our library and Shannon's prompt forced a little reflection.

Have we changed? We've always been leaders in information and communication technologies. We've always encouraged inquiry, learning, participaticipation, creativity.

Perhaps we haven't changed, but grown.

We are now able to do the things we always did and represent the principles we always represented with greater power. We can scale and mobilize our instruction.

We can now be our kiddos' trusted guides 24/7, wherever they are. Authors and experts visit so much more easily. Students and teacher collaborate without barriers of time and space. Our students' work, contributions, and stories are shared, celebrated and archived.

So this last semester I am going to rock out our library--make sure every teacher and kid has our library in their pockets, make sure we add heart and creativity to the instruction we plan, make sure our space welcome inquiry and invention and exists outside the box school can be. And I hope to help find a wonderful new librarian who will be as excited about growth as I have been.

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Sara Kelly Johns/Online Instructor/ School of Library and Information Technologies

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Sara Kelly Johns/Online Instructor/ School of Library and Information Technologies

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Yesterday I walked into the Lake Placid Middle/High School Library to finish inventory that did not get finished before the end of the school year and the ALA Conference---THAT is not new. I was immediately "attacked" by a student in summer school who has been looking at the boxes of new books that have been there for a month; she had been looking at them every day, salivating to open them. It was math class but her teacher (who was tired of hearing about the boxes) let her "help" me take them out of boxes. That thrill of opening the boxes of new books is not new. What was new was telling her about the books that are part of that order that are e-books, that she will be able to download and read on her iPad or tablet or phone. She put her name on several of the new books with a sticky and then made a list of the e-books she wants first dibs on. She loves to read--in any format. And we have books for her--in any format.

The shift in literacy is beginning to be a more seamless part of a school librarian's work. Engaging students in reading is crucial--they need to read well for success in those standardized tests that are part of their lives and they need to read well to face the challenges of the shape-shifting technology they will face in their academic and personal life, paralleling the changes most of us have both embraced and struggled to keep up with during our lives. It's become a necessary part of the teaching role of school librarians to teach all types of literacy, collaboratively with teachers and one-on-one with individual students working in our libraries.

And it's so much fun!

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Kerri Harris/Middle School Librarian (new to the profession this fall!)

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Kerri Harris/Middle School Librarian (new to the profession this fall!)

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When I interviewed for my new position, I asked the principal what she envisioned for her librarian. She told me that she wanted me to be the "technology go to person" on the campus. She wanted to throw an idea my way and give me the opportunity and autonomy to research it and have it ready for a staff development session. She also told me that she didn't think a librarian had to be tied to the library and that I should be in classrooms helping teachers and in planning meetings. All of this was very exciting for me. Then she told me that books would be a very small part of my job. Wait. What?

I think that is the biggest change I am seeing for school librarians. Adults who do not read much also do not see that reading is a huge part of our jobs. As librarians, we need to grow with technology and with a changing profession, but we can't walk away from the importance of reading and the role that books play into that! I'm excited to start my new job, and I will be looking for subtle ways to show my new principal that books will never be just a small part of being a librarian.

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I think the biggest change for school libraries is the increasing focus on empowering students to think, to draw their own meaning from information, to interact and collaborate with others, and to create and share their own ideas and products.  I see a heightened instructional role for school librarians, both as a teacher of essential skills and as an instructional partner for classroom teachers.  I believe that, through our collaboration with teachers and students, we will be able to drive change in our schools, so that the focus is on learning, inquiry, and rigorous thinking rather than on testing.  We can do this!

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First, the teacher librarian... In my school district our teacher librarians are changing into more connected and sharing professionals. Personally I've recently changed by reaching out beyond our own district for ideas and help from other teacher librarians through Twitter and other means. The effect is that the more we read and learn, the more our own school libraries are improving. More teachers are visiting and asking questions. More students are coming to us for help and guidance. I like that our library is changing into the intellectual hub of our school. This change is good!

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My library has evolved over the past 4 years.  I've tried to create a welcoming space where students want to visit with music, comfy seating, new books, and by being a "technology friendly zone".  Students may come to the library to work on assignments in the computer lab or may drop by to just unwind and relax.  A quiet library is a thing of the past as students are actively engaged with each other in sharing ideas. creating, working on a huge puzzle, or even playing a friendly game of chess or checkers.  I offer instruction and advice on new technology tools and welcome learning from the students too.  Working with teachers in my building on new ways to enhance lessons with new books and technology resources makes every day exciting.

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Janelle Thompson/Instructional Strategist & Asst. Principal

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Janelle Thompson/Instructional Strategist & Asst. Principal

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Every year is something different when you are thinking about your school library. New books arrive, new technology tools come out, new projects are created in classrooms, and all of it runs through the library. I see a shift towards teachers working closely with media specialists on projects that have a direct impact in the classrooms. I also see the teachers seeking out the media specialist in more ways than they ever have before. As educators we are focusing on collaboration; within the walls of the school and out. the collaboration that takes place at the beginning of the year use to be minimal but as the librarian becomes an integral part of learning we can no longer forget to include them in classroom planning.

I'm looking forward to getting projects in the works before school starts and co-teaching with the media specialist to help the classroom teachers integrate instructional technology seamlessly.

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Nicholas Provenzano/High School English Teacher

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Nicholas Provenzano/High School English Teacher

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I love seeing more communal spaces for students to get together and work on various projects on their own devices. It is great to see school embrace the digital devices students are bringing to school so they can work or even relax with something they want to do. It is a nice shift from the quiet room where students were afraid to interact.

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Kathy Schmidt / library Media Specialist 

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Kathy Schmidt / library Media Specialist 

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I am excited with some of the changes happening in school libraries right now!  I have recently moved to a new school that is a BYOD school. With this change for me I am looking at the configuration of the physical space of the library - do we have enough collaborative places for groups of students to work? Should I provide charging stations? What kind of devices should I be looking at to purchase for our school? Of Course I am also trying to find a balance in the media center between books and technology and also trying to find that balance with myself- especially as I get ready to introduce myself to a new staff of teachers at my new school.

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When I became a teacher librarian, I felt that I had a foot in two worlds. I was trained in using a slide projector and additionally savvy on the internet. Within a year of settling in my first library, I was weeding 5 LaserDisc players and their accompanying discs that a former administrator purchased but never shared. I quickly saw that if I didn't educate my students and staff about resources and tools that most would be a waste of money sitting around... Taking charge of professional development and technology integration into curriculum was a wonderful challenge that my colleagues and students appreciated. Years later, I weeded my reference collection taking note of materials that were available online, use of materials, and what needed to be replaced. That collection shrank in the library but grew immensely online for students to access. I loved the transition to online resources but additionally find the happy-medium of having printed books as well. I enjoy being the resource locator for my colleagues at school for our inquiry units both online and in print. What a fantastic place to be with connections online throughout the world to people who share their ideas and resources with others. I love the changes over time with my teacher librarian position. Using e-readers, iPads, and other tools is something I appreciate being the expert in and sharing with others. I never go through a day without feeling challenged and without having learning opportunities. I take advocacy quite seriously and share my learning, skills, and resources through online materials with student, staff, and community outreach. I remember years ago wishing for a way to avoid copying promotional materials for various library activities, now I can promote online! What a wonderful experience: transition and change.

@stylinlibrarian http://thestylinglibrarian.com

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Rose Luna/High School Teacher Librarian

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Rose Luna/High School Teacher Librarian

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I see many changes.  I will be giving out Nook e-readers for the first time this year. We have added ebooks to our collection, and more information is being accessed online. I have worked to create a library with flexible use of space, for teaching research with a Smart Board and laptops, and for rolling everything out of the way for student poetry performances. No longer tied to the library, I am leaving it when possible to support research in the classroom.  On Back-to-School night I walk around to talk with parents and give out information on our online databases. I also have students taking on more roles as assistants in the library and making it their own.

A major change I see is that it is no longer sufficient to do a job well in isolation. You need to make sure others are aware of all the great things you are doing. You need PR and marketing skills. Your job is to advocate for the students while at the same time making sure you align it with the goals of your principal and superintendent. Helping them accomplish their goals can help you accomplish yours, by being viewed as a team player.  The more successful you are at this the more likely that your school will invest in the resources you need to teach your students. I have presented at school board meetings, created an Animoto to share, and even managed to get the video posted on our district's webpage with the title Librarians Integral to Student Achievement. I have created a buzz around our district with Library contests and READ Posters, and look forward to Skyping this year.

The perception of the librarian as a passive collector of books has changed in my district due to my involvement on school, district and union committees, and that of our librarians. I have taught professional development workshops on technology. I have taken the lead when possible to advocate for our students, librarians, and faculty, and collaborate with our public library. Only by taking a seat at the table can you be involved in the decisions taking place in our schools. Perception  has led to me being seen as the lead librarian in my district. When information is needed I am called, when training is needed I am emailed. Yet I am far from being an expert on everything, like most librarians I just love to constantly learn and grow, and help others do the same. With the addition of my PLN and the conversations on Twitter, it has truly multiplied that learning even more. I am no longer in isolation. I have a giant network of knowledge, and library friends.

Rose Luna

@rosemluna

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Since my job is reading in my Magic Library, I am fortunate to interact with many librarians across the country. I have seen a great increase in Skypes and the use of Google Hangout to bring authors into the classroom and library setting. Celebrating events like World Poetry Day, or Read Across America Day, by bringing in outside resources using technology, seems like a wonderful way to engage the children. I know I have really enjoyed these virtual library visits. It is also a great way to engage with other classrooms or libraries and provides students and opportunity to share their stories or poems.

I also think that having a list of websites (and yes, mine would included on the list) that are there to help early readers or ESL students is important. A place where they can hear as well as see a person and the words can really help them. And for more advanced readers, there are so many sites (even mine) that have teacher pages with ideas to enhance what they have read and activities that kids who are really looking for something extra can find, including various writing and poetry contests. The library allows so many connections for kids that might not always be possible in the classroom.

Twitter:

@MrsPstorytime

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mrs. p’s activities. mrs. p writing contest

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Mrs. P's Magic Library shares with teachers interactive games, coloring sheets to download, be-a-famous writer contest, Mrs. P writing contest, and fun activities for your classroom.

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Kathy Kaldenberg, Media Specialist at Solon Community School District

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Kathy Kaldenberg, Media Specialist at Solon Community School District

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My mantra for next year: EXPECT MORE is inspired by David Lankes book Expect More: Demanding Better Libraries for Today's Complex World. It informed my vision for the 2013-14 school year which I presented to the Leadership Team in April (attached in the sliderocket link below). In addition, I look forward to increasing my connections this school year: with teachers, with students, with community members, with our local public library, with authors and with classrooms around the world.

Twitter: @scsdmedia

Blog: http://365scsdmedia.blogspot.com/

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Andy Plemmons, Media Specialist at David C. Barrow Elementary, Athens GA

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Andy Plemmons, Media Specialist at David C. Barrow Elementary, Athens GA

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This year I will be entering into a brand new library space that I've been instrumental in designing. The space will be the most flexible space that I've ever been a part of. Shelves, tables, chairs, and displays are all mobile in order to let the space morph and breathe for whatever needs arise during the day. I can't wait to facilitate students in figuring out the best configurations to promote the kinds of learning and spaces that they need.

I think that the very nature of a library is about change. It is our duty to be on the cutting edge and often be one of the first spaces that something is tried out before it takes root in classrooms. That's one of the things that excites me so much about the library. There's always something new to try and a teacher in my school or a librarian in another state who is willing to collaborate and try it with me. Each year, I find myself becoming a stronger leader in exploring new technologies, but also facilitating opportunites for teachers and students to share their expertise as well. There is a big shift in moving away from "stuff" and adults holding the knowledge to allowing students to guide their own learning and share their wisdom and creations.

If we don't embrace change, we're missing the very opportunity to exemplify what it means to be a life long learner.

@plemmonsa http://barrowmediacenter.wordpress.com

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Tamara Cox, librarian at Palmetto Middle in South Carolina

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Tamara Cox, librarian at Palmetto Middle in South Carolina

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This is my fourth year in the library and I brought many changes with me. I wanted to embody the principles of collaboration taught in my masters program. I have worked hard to build collaborations with teachers from all subjects, provide professional development and be a partner with administrators. The biggest shift I have seen is making the librarian a school leader and innovator. Watching over our book collection is a small part of my job. My job is more instructional partner and tech facilitator. Our collection has changed to rely more on digital reference resources instead of print, opening the library to more fiction and high interest nonfiction. Kid friendly arrangement by subject and genre instead of Dewey makes the print collection easier to browse. All of these changes were just in the last few years so I can only guess as to what the future holds. It is an exciting time to be a librarian, if you are willing to grow and change.

@coxtl, e-literatelibrarian.blogspot.com

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Shawna Ford,  Elementary Teacher-Librarian, Texas

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Shawna Ford,  Elementary Teacher-Librarian, Texas

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In the two years I have been a teacher-librarian, I have seen the role of both librarian and the library space change.  It is no longer just a space to come “borrow” something, but now a space to “create” something.  This year, we will be adding makerspaces in some of our elementary libraries, which will allow students to apply knowledge gained from classroom instruction in a creative and collaborative environment. The library space will certainly be louder and a bit messier, but it seems that being the keeper of a quiet, neat space is no longer meeting the needs of our patrons.

School librarians are also being called upon to fill in gaps that the focus on state testing has left, and this provides opportunities for collaboration between classroom teachers and the librarian.  One area that TLs are stepping up is with integrating technology into students’ time in the library or within the classroom.  Introducing a tool to students in the library and then supporting the classroom teacher during the process puts teacher-librarians in the role of teammate instead of being seen as separate from classroom instruction.

Being able to identify needs and offer support is something librarians have always done, it just looks a little different now.

@curtislibrary1
Curtiselementarylibrary.blogspot.com

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Cathy Jo Nelson, TL, District Tech Trainer, Spartanburg, SC

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Cathy Jo Nelson, TL, District Tech Trainer, Spartanburg, SC

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Looking forward to figuring out how to make tech integration a snap for my teachers and students this year as we embrace a BYOD concept. It's going to be interesting, and I love learning right along with the school community.

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Brenda McPherson-Fry, Librarian-in-Training, Wm Penn SD, Lansdowne, PA

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Brenda McPherson-Fry, Librarian-in-Training, Wm Penn SD, Lansdowne, PA

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I am hoping to be hired for a job soon in the elementary school where I now work. We are so far behind the times, not even in the 20th century and I have learned so much and I feel like I am destined to do this. I love all the ideas, the willingness to share, the great things I have been taught by Joyce Valenza and the other teachers at Mansfield.

In September, I want to first get rid of the 1962 reference books on African American (aka Negro History) History, and actually replace it with something that the children who attend my school can use, appreciate, and it brings black history up-to-date. I am hoping for something on-line.

I want to do book talks, participate in Dot Day, bring collaboration to the staff, teach the kids an inquiry model, and make the library meaningful and important to them because right now there is a disconnect.

I have ideas to incorporate the parents and give them a vested interest in the library.

I am writing a plan in anticipation of my interview and guess where I got all my great information!!

I follow all of the gurus on twitter. You are all amazing. Ms. Sturgeon, I love your post right beneath me. I actually have goosebumps reading the last two sentences. Isn't that why we all wanted to be teachers/librarians/educators? Thanks for the inspiration.

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Christine Sturgeon, K-12 Teacher Librarian/Technology Integrationist, Manson Northwest Webster Schools,  Manson and Barnum, Iowa

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Christine Sturgeon, K-12 Teacher Librarian/Technology Integrationist, Manson Northwest Webster Schools,  Manson and Barnum, Iowa

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I'm very excited about changes at both the elementary and secondary school libraries. I'm fully embracing the bookstore model (I blogged about it at christinesturgeon.wordpress.com). My circulation at the high school is lackluster, to say the least, but I think putting fiction by genre and nonfiction by subject will get kids interested in the improved print collection. We've included a "literary nonfiction" section that I think will help teachers using the Common Core.

I'm also excited about embracing the Learning Commons environment. We are changing our physical environment at the elementary and it will more fully embody that. What I'd like to see at the high school is creating a makerspace.

And I'm updating the library website to be much more a virtual learning commons, a la David Loertscher.

All of this, though, is about making this a "third space" for our students. I want them to feel ownership of the library, to know that this is a space for them to improve their lives. That's a lesson that can stay with and help them their entire lives.

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Jennifer LaGarde/Educator on Loan w/NC Dept of Public Instruction and Lead Librarian in Wilmington, NC

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Jennifer LaGarde/Educator on Loan w/NC Dept of Public Instruction and Lead Librarian in Wilmington, NC

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For school librarians the major "change" defining our work is the shift from stuff to students. Rather than just collection curators, school librarians must now be curriculum experts, pedagogical leaders, technology coaches, data decipherers and vocal advocates for people and programs that best meet the instructional needs of their students. Today's school librarians have an opportunity and an obligation to move from expendable to essential by both highlighting and living up to this seismic, (and, in my opinion, long overdue), shift in library work.

@jenniferlagarde

www.librarygirl.net

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Charity Harbeck/Media Specialist & School-Based Technology Coordinator

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Charity Harbeck/Media Specialist & School-Based Technology Coordinator

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Technology becomes a larger percentage of school librarian's role every year. In my district we have neither technology teachers for students nor technology integration coaches for teachers. So in addition to my role as a teacher librarian with fixed scheduled classes for k-5 I have been serving both the previous roles as well. Aside from the obvious, "not enough time" factor (especially to work with teachers) I find the roles blend nicely into an information specialist aspect of the school librarian.

This fall I will be switching to High School media specialist and expect my role as technology integration coach for teachers to expand and my role as a teacher-librarian to deminish. I am super excited to venture into this new environment! I love new adventures.

@harbeckc

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Peg Becksvoort/ middle school librarian, information coach, library media specialist, teacher librarian, NBCT

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Peg Becksvoort/ middle school librarian, information coach, library media specialist, teacher librarian, NBCT

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I'm old enough to have observed several changes in title. We need to be certified teachers, so Teacher Librarian makes sense; we used to be the gateway for all the AV tech in most schools, so Library Media Specialist made sense; we manage a library collection, so Librarian makes sense; we coach learners on how to make the best info and digital choices, so Information Coach sounds just about right.

Whichever title you choose, it is the attitude and the job that you do that makes your space and your work indispensable. We must choose to focus on what our students need. What are you doing? Why are you doing it? How did it, or will it, affect student learning?

Each of the many posts here attest to the passion that we all feel for our profession and its importance to the lives of students. However we reflect the community where we work, it is enthusiasm, leadership, and involvement that will keep libraries in the front as the sands of education shift once again.

@PegBecks

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Meg B. Allison/Moretown Elementary School Teacher Librarian

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Meg B. Allison/Moretown Elementary School Teacher Librarian

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Some of the biggest changes for me are from a linguistic evolution of our job title. When I started my job in 2007, the term "school library media specialist" not only felt clunky, but I never felt that I embodied the role of a "specialist". I see that term as depicting someone who knows it all and has all the answers. It hindered my growth because I felt I would never be at a place where I was the end all and be all "specialist".

I have always felt that my role as been one of growth, transformation, educating, leadership, and empowerment. For me, "teacher" embodies that sense much more than a "specialist". Added to my responsibilities, as for many of us, are the responsibilities of technology integration. While I'll often add that to my job title, as needed, the dynamic role of the "teacher librarian" embodies, for me, a professional immersed in evolving technologies, social media, digital citizenship, 1:1 environments, student voice, in addition to our roles as library program administrator, advocate, curator, and book lover extraordinaire.

Teacher Librarians are integral to our school communities: not only are we at the heart of learning, but we are change agents and leaders not only with our students and staff, but in our global community.

-Meg B. Allison

@meg_allison

madriverlibrarian.blogspot.com

globalteacherfellowship.blogspot.com

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The changes in my library are mainly due to social media. My practices and teaching are driven by the connections I have made through my PLN. I am connecting with librarians all over the world and creating a global school library. I am constantly learning and passing that knowledge onto my students.

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Matthew C. Winner/Elementary School Teacher Librarian

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Matthew C. Winner/Elementary School Teacher Librarian

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I have the privilege of helping to open the brand new elementary school in our county this year. Our entire school community will be in transition, so it is an opportune time to support them and develop relationships that strengthen their sense of belonging in our new community. But this is not a new role for TLs. I've often felt like we've been gifted the role of Public Relations in our buildings and this, I would say, is a very fine role to hold. We are tasked with developing a collection that responds to the needs of our community. We develop schoolwide activities and celebrations to even all of our community members. We lend our voices to school improvement teams and the like, playing an important role in the way we understand and support our children and their success.

A new responsibility I look forward to supporting is that of our Green School initiatives and building an awareness of our school's impact on the earth through its structural design as a Gold LEED certified building. I'm excited to see how my instruction can support the features of our school that support these LEED standards and how, in a small way, our Library Media lessons can contribute to the greater conversation of how better to support our students as stewards of the earth.

This is what makes our profession one of the best in all of education. As the school changes, so do we. As new programs, standards, and instructional practices are introduced, we are early to adopt and eager to support others in the transition. Our library programs are constantly transforming in order to reflect the changing needs of the school. And our voices are heard!

- Matthew C. Winner

@MatthewWinner

BusyLibrarian.com

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Jane Lofton/High School Teacher Librarian

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Jane Lofton/High School Teacher Librarian

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When I started in the teacher librarian field in 2002, I helped students and teacher with technology, but more of my time was spent on guidance with books and reading and on teaching information literacy. Today, I still do all those tasks, but my role as a leader in technology and provider of professional development demands far more of my time. My teaching also includes far more digital literacy topics. In collection development today, my purchases of print books are still primarily in print, but my non-fiction purchases have shifted to primarily electronic. While I have always had a library website, it has become more and more of a virtual library, accessible to users 24/7, with a growing number of tutorial materials along with access to digital books and databases.

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Deven Black/still novice middle school librarian

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Deven Black/still novice middle school librarian

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In the two years since I became a librarian my job has moved from doing reader advisory to doing much more tech advisory. Students want to know about hardware, apps, and how to use them. I'm no expert, and I tell them that, but I'm the most tech-savvy person on the staff (a sad state of affairs). In the coming year I hope to introduce e-readers and e-books, audiobooks, and other literature formats while, at the same time, reducing my shelf space to made room for the anticipated elementary-level section my middle school library will likely have to add. I am still trying to drag my library into the recent past from the mid-20th Century into the early years of the 21st, and every day the curve between where we are and where we need to be gets longer, not shorter. I need to learn to run faster, or something.

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My library will be much more kid owned. I will not have an assistant this year so students will be checking out, shelving and promoting books. I think this will be a good change. I am also hoping to get an iPad mini for staff to use for checking out books while helping students in the stacks. This way they aren't tied to the desk.

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There are great things in store for school libraries. I genrefied my fiction years ago. Now, because the entire space had to be emptied for renovations, I am planning to further revolutionize my organization. History books next to Historical Fiction, Sports books next sports NF to name a few. I'm also moving the arts/crafts/cooking books into a separate area - where we'll stock a beginning maker space. It's also where I teach photography. I teach a great deal of digital citizenship in photography. So when people tell me they like to bring their students to the library to find a book, I hold myself back, I smile, then I tell them all the other things they can to in the library. Here is my empty library:

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New radiators, structural work on the big beams, new carpet. Exciting summer for the books. I hope no one left any chocolate bars in the bins. It's going to be hot out there. My brain was totally tired.

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Terry (TJ) Shay - 5-12 Music/technology teacher

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Terry (TJ) Shay - 5-12 Music/technology teacher

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I've seen the library shift from the place that held the books to the hub of the new and ever changing world. With the addition of digital media, students have the option of view & using resources anywhere. One scary trend seems to be removing the teacher/librarian and staffing libraries with unqualified workers. I can not say enough that having a nurturing person at the helm, who can guide students to books and resources they can love is invaluable.

I'm very curious about the "maker spaces" that libraries seem to be starting. and I'm excited to see what new directions will unfold.

I'm very thankful for awesome librarians who tweet and allow all of us to learn about new books and be on the same journey.

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I am actually very excited about the changes coming not only to my library but also to school libraries in general. I feel that we as librarians need to do a much better job at promoting all the great things that we do in our libraries everyday. With all the cuts that have come to libraries and librarians this is the time to change how we promote ourselves.

Social media and especially Twitter is a great way to promote the great things going on in your library. It is also a great way to collaborate with other people from around the world.

Change is not a bad thing -- we need to embrace it. If that means learning the new technology then we need to do it. Librarians need to become the technology leaders in our schools. They need be the ones teaching it not only to students but teachers.

Libraries are the center of the school and librarians need to make sure that they are an integral part of the school. Change is coming so let us librarians be the ones leading the change.

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I am preparing to organize the fiction section by genre (hopefully before school begins). I am embracing Ranganathan's 5 Laws. I am hoping that this change will help my students find their books as well as save them time.

I think that Ranganathan's Fifth Law: "The Library is a growing organism" gives us permission to embrace change if the change benefits those who are using the library.

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Participatory Learning is my theme for the year. My library space is getting better all the time (see my "Library As It Changes" Pinterest board) and what's happening in that space is focused on students as writers and bloggers, flexible readers and tool-choosers. Ebooks are big, but it's a challenge to meet demand with no budget increase. I'm looking forward to our new STEAM-centered activities throughout the day and the school, but especially in the library ; )

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I have seen a huge shift of patrons blending the use of regular books with digital and audio eBooks. The library is no longer closed during the school day but rather services and my availability continues 24/7. I am no longer the keeper of books but rather the curator of information and services. My role continues to be a master collaborator delving into new and exciting areas for others to follow.

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I see the view of the library as a repository of books shifting to more of a collaborative, multi-functional space. Digital resources also promote extending the library's space into a physical-digital hybrid. Having been in the children's dept of a public library for the past 7 yrs, questions have shifted from what books do you have on xyz research topic to where & how can I find info about xyz topic. I would think a similar shift in Qs would be happening in school libraries too

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My role has evolved to more than just the resources in the physical room--I'm called upon to enter other workspaces, onsite and offsite, as my insights, expertise, or skill set seem to meet needs in other places. My colleagues appreciate that I am willing to work alongside their students where ever there is a need. I'm not "land-locked" so to speak.

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Our district librarian received a grant from our education foundation to develop her idea for a mobile catalog - built on ipads that students can use a walk-around search tools. The app for searching is on the ipad. Additionally, the iPads can be used for other purposes in the library, including reading ebooks.

Maryann Molishus

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As I work in the stacks weeding out old or outdated books, I find myself shifting the funding to digital sources to replace them--sources that are available 24-7 to my patrons, and not locked away when the physical space is not open. I work to promote those sources just as handily as I promote the print sources. These take the form of virtual pathfinders, database subscriptions, and ebooks.

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I see librarians extending their boundaries, both physically and virtually...collaborating with subject area teachers, acting as an embedded librarian on social networking sites