Comments on: Not agreeing with the ASLA president and video for my students http://jherring.wordpress.com/2008/07/17/not-agreeing-with-the-asla-president-and-video-for-my-students/ An often serious and sometimes quirky reflection on the world of teacher librarianship - and other things. James Herring teaches a range of subjects in teacher librarianship at Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:47:18 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Rob Moore http://jherring.wordpress.com/2008/07/17/not-agreeing-with-the-asla-president-and-video-for-my-students/#comment-279 Rob Moore Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:15:37 +0000 http://jherring.wordpress.com/?p=123#comment-279 I’m responding a little after the fact here but just in case anybody scrolls to the bottom of blogs I thought I’d offer a brief reply. Firstly, my thanks for the constructive criticism – some interesting thoughts here which I must say mirror my own in many ways. Indeed, they reflect some of the things I said in the article in content terms if not emphasis. Secondly, a note of explanation about that emphasis: each issue of ASLA’s ACCESS journal is based around a theme. The issue for which I wrote the article being discussed here was centred around a theme of 'literature' – hence my focus. The next issue about to hit your mailboxes has a 'learning' theme. I’ve quoted Toffler rather than Pound and promise there’s no mention of books at all. Look forward to your feedback. Cheers, rob. I’m responding a little after the fact here but just in case anybody scrolls to the bottom of blogs I thought I’d offer a brief reply. Firstly, my thanks for the constructive criticism – some interesting thoughts here which I must say mirror my own in many ways. Indeed, they reflect some of the things I said in the article in content terms if not emphasis. Secondly, a note of explanation about that emphasis: each issue of ASLA’s ACCESS journal is based around a theme. The issue for which I wrote the article being discussed here was centred around a theme of ‘literature’ – hence my focus. The next issue about to hit your mailboxes has a ‘learning’ theme. I’ve quoted Toffler rather than Pound and promise there’s no mention of books at all. Look forward to your feedback. Cheers, rob.

]]> By: Ian McLean http://jherring.wordpress.com/2008/07/17/not-agreeing-with-the-asla-president-and-video-for-my-students/#comment-252 Ian McLean Thu, 31 Jul 2008 02:56:15 +0000 http://jherring.wordpress.com/?p=123#comment-252 Hi James, I'm sure there are TLs out there who do an amazing job but don't have an "unashamed love" of literature. Some have an unashamed love of techie things, or art, or music, or sport, or hundreds of other things. I recently spent several years back in the classroom, and found that the successful element for matching the right student with the right <i>anything</i> is the passion for doing so. That "desire and skills" to put the right anything "into the right hands”, and at the right time, is not something rare and special to TLs. Having said that, though, I know that school libraries are my niche and I'm glad to be back in one. Hi James,

I’m sure there are TLs out there who do an amazing job but don’t have an “unashamed love” of literature. Some have an unashamed love of techie things, or art, or music, or sport, or hundreds of other things.

I recently spent several years back in the classroom, and found that the successful element for matching the right student with the right anything is the passion for doing so. That “desire and skills” to put the right anything “into the right hands”, and at the right time, is not something rare and special to TLs.

Having said that, though, I know that school libraries are my niche and I’m glad to be back in one.

]]> By: Sandra Amoore http://jherring.wordpress.com/2008/07/17/not-agreeing-with-the-asla-president-and-video-for-my-students/#comment-235 Sandra Amoore Sun, 20 Jul 2008 03:01:57 +0000 http://jherring.wordpress.com/?p=123#comment-235 Sorry, do not agree with James. Here in my primary school literacy and numeracy are our key goals for all students. The teachers focus, especially in the first five years, is to promote reading, writing and a love of literature. We have just been to the Whitsunday Voices Literature Festival this week and it has been wonderful. The children have returned enthused and revitalised for a lifetime love of reading and writing. Children must read widely to become informed adults. Literature promotion is a vital part of our school curriculum. I find it is becoming more important as a section of our parents no longer read to their children. I find it very rewarding to "find the right book for the right student" as this opens up a new world. Of course there are many more aspects of my position but I enjoy the most positive interactions about literature. Sorry, do not agree with James. Here in my primary school literacy and numeracy are our key goals for all students. The teachers focus, especially in the first five years, is to promote reading, writing and a love of literature. We have just been to the Whitsunday Voices Literature Festival this week and it has been wonderful. The children have returned enthused and revitalised for a lifetime love of reading and writing. Children must read widely to become informed adults. Literature promotion is a vital part of our school curriculum. I find it is becoming more important as a section of our parents no longer read to their children. I find it very rewarding to “find the right book for the right student” as this opens up a new world. Of course there are many more aspects of my position but I enjoy the most positive interactions about literature.

]]> By: Carole http://jherring.wordpress.com/2008/07/17/not-agreeing-with-the-asla-president-and-video-for-my-students/#comment-234 Carole Sat, 19 Jul 2008 09:37:08 +0000 http://jherring.wordpress.com/?p=123#comment-234 Thanks James, for the encouragement to hold on to the vision of the TL as a mover and shaker of the new literacies and learning. Sure, my love of books will also be evident as I enthuse about them to the students, but I'm expected to contribute leadership of the new Victorian Essential Learning Standards in all things ICT. (That's in Australia btw :) ) Watched your YouTube clip and felt quite sick with envy. How could you do that to exiles like me? Mark Cavendish or Cadel Evans - who's your hero? Thanks James, for the encouragement to hold on to the vision of the TL as a mover and shaker of the new literacies and learning. Sure, my love of books will also be evident as I enthuse about them to the students, but I’m expected to contribute leadership of the new Victorian Essential Learning Standards in all things ICT. (That’s in Australia btw :) )

Watched your YouTube clip and felt quite sick with envy. How could you do that to exiles like me?

Mark Cavendish or Cadel Evans – who’s your hero?

]]> By: John Harycki http://jherring.wordpress.com/2008/07/17/not-agreeing-with-the-asla-president-and-video-for-my-students/#comment-233 John Harycki Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:57:06 +0000 http://jherring.wordpress.com/?p=123#comment-233 Here, here James. I was inspired to read as a year 6 student by our new and first teacher librarian in 1974. I graduated from CSU as a MEd(TL) in 2007 and began work as a TL in 2007 also. Whilst I love inspiring my students with literature, my job is so much more. Literature, information, multi-literacies, intERnet, inTRAnet, sharing, creating, publishing, communicating, collaborating ... that's my role. Thank you James and the CSU TLship team ... you prepared me so well for my role! Here, here James. I was inspired to read as a year 6 student by our new and first teacher librarian in 1974. I graduated from CSU as a MEd(TL) in 2007 and began work as a TL in 2007 also. Whilst I love inspiring my students with literature, my job is so much more. Literature, information, multi-literacies, intERnet, inTRAnet, sharing, creating, publishing, communicating, collaborating … that’s my role. Thank you James and the CSU TLship team … you prepared me so well for my role!

]]> By: Cathy http://jherring.wordpress.com/2008/07/17/not-agreeing-with-the-asla-president-and-video-for-my-students/#comment-229 Cathy Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:38:00 +0000 http://jherring.wordpress.com/?p=123#comment-229 I've just read his piece and must say I'm surprised by his photo, I thought he'd be much older. The first part of his article did indeed have a Norman Rockwell-ish romantic note about our profession that TLs have been working hard to correct. Like the old image of the housewife in the perky cocktail apron, it trivializes what the job really entails. A love of literature may still be the motivating factor for many people entering the field of TL but the reality quickly becomes apparent when working with the 'main customers' -- the kids. They require so much more than a good book when they come to the LRC at school. Even in a small primary school I struggle to keep the weekly 40 minute library sessions from being swallowed up by all the other demands and only the younger children really seem to enjoy the time to read. The older children are quickly bored with 'sit and read', they'd rather flick through magazines, watch/check out something online, talk about things like movies and MMORPG's (massive multi-player online role-playing games - awesome stories in themselves). I'm not knocking them, their literacies just don't lean towards novels -- altho' there are still many readers out there. We need to look far beyond 'a good book' when promoting a love of literature now. Sorry Rob Moore, I have to agree, we don't need a "President of Books". I’ve just read his piece and must say I’m surprised by his photo, I thought he’d be much older. The first part of his article did indeed have a Norman Rockwell-ish romantic note about our profession that TLs have been working hard to correct. Like the old image of the housewife in the perky cocktail apron, it trivializes what the job really entails.

A love of literature may still be the motivating factor for many people entering the field of TL but the reality quickly becomes apparent when working with the ‘main customers’ — the kids. They require so much more than a good book when they come to the LRC at school. Even in a small primary school I struggle to keep the weekly 40 minute library sessions from being swallowed up by all the other demands and only the younger children really seem to enjoy the time to read. The older children are quickly bored with ’sit and read’, they’d rather flick through magazines, watch/check out something online, talk about things like movies and MMORPG’s (massive multi-player online role-playing games – awesome stories in themselves). I’m not knocking them, their literacies just don’t lean towards novels — altho’ there are still many readers out there. We need to look far beyond ‘a good book’ when promoting a love of literature now.

Sorry Rob Moore, I have to agree, we don’t need a “President of Books”.

]]> By: Frances Manning http://jherring.wordpress.com/2008/07/17/not-agreeing-with-the-asla-president-and-video-for-my-students/#comment-228 Frances Manning Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:24:15 +0000 http://jherring.wordpress.com/?p=123#comment-228 Thankyou, James for affirming a view I also share about TL's. My work revolves heavily in supporting the Leadership Team of the school, the Teachers and the Students in accessing and using effectively, the incredible amount of information available to them in today's world. My 'job' is to lead, instruct and assist our learning community using both traditional and '21st Century' tools, for accessing & presenting information. Included in this role is the need to develop and maintain sound organizational structures for the vast array of resources at our disposal, while continually promoting new and existing 'finds'. The library in which I work of course, includes a well developed fiction section, which has indeed been developed with love. My role also includes promoting and instilling that 'love' of story into the community in which I work. Admittedly I have always enjoyed this part of the role, especially when I have a class of 5 year olds, but unfortunately, in this fast paced world, there is little time. As with all TL's, I must try and 'juggle' & squeeze in literature appreciation into a very crowded timetable. In a way it demeans the role of TL to focus on this component of the role. The TL's that I know, are all dually qualified professionals who manage a many faceted position. In today's world, where I am finding TL's struggle with recognition of their role, we don't need statements that undermine their work. Thankyou, James for affirming a view I also share about TL’s. My work revolves heavily in supporting the Leadership Team of the school, the Teachers and the Students in accessing and using effectively, the incredible amount of information available to them in today’s world. My ‘job’ is to lead, instruct and assist our learning community using both traditional and ’21st Century’ tools, for accessing & presenting information.
Included in this role is the need to develop and maintain sound organizational structures for the vast array of resources at our disposal, while continually promoting new and existing ‘finds’.
The library in which I work of course, includes a well developed fiction section, which has indeed been developed with love. My role also includes promoting and instilling that ‘love’ of story into the community in which I work. Admittedly I have always enjoyed this part of the role, especially when I have a class of 5 year olds, but unfortunately, in this fast paced world, there is little time. As with all TL’s, I must try and ‘juggle’ & squeeze in literature appreciation into a very crowded timetable.
In a way it demeans the role of TL to focus on this component of the role. The TL’s that I know, are all dually qualified professionals who manage a many faceted position. In today’s world, where I am finding TL’s struggle with recognition of their role, we don’t need statements that undermine their work.

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