Philosophy+of+Librarianship

Philosophy of Librarianship

As a school library and media specialist, I am in a unique position that allows me to share my love of reading and technology with a wider audience. This is an exciting position because not only can I ignite a passion for reading and learning, I can support teachers and curriculum while strengthening the academic environment in the school. There are several core beliefs I have that contribute to this philosophy.

When children come to the library it should be a warm, welcoming place where they are free to explore topics of their interest. My role as a librarian is to use my knowledge and expertise about books to guide them in their selection, but not to dictate it for them. I believe in inspiring children to read for pleasure and for knowledge in order to create a life long love of reading. This is the role that is of primary importance in my position.

It is also important to support teachers in their instructional units, and to share my knowledge of educational resources to compliment their instructional units. These resources are not limited to books and videos, but also include online resources and community resources as well. This is a critical component to my position, because dwindling budgets require creativity and resourcefulness in seeking out materials for overburdened teachers who don’t have enough time to find resources on their own. Educating children is a collaborative effort, and we can accomplish so much more when we work together.

A good librarian should also involve community and parental support whenever possible. I believe parents have good intentions with respect to the education of their children. It is important to keep parents informed about their child’s education, and to provide them with tips for helping their child develop a lifelong love of reading and learning. Communication is key in this area.

The qualities that create a good educator are similar to the qualities that make a good librarian. It is important to be organized and to exercise good management skills in order to help my facility run smoothly and efficiently. The school librarian is in a unique position in that we are teachers and also library managers. It is important not to neglect either responsibility.

The school librarian is a critical component to a successful academic environment. Not only can the librarian share their expertise about reading and information literacy, they are in a position to support the classroom curriculum and assist teachers with the latest technology. Given the budget crunches so many schools are suffering from, this knowledge is priceless. Teachers don’t have adequate time to seek out resources, and there are fewer in-service opportunities about technology as a result of the budget crises as well. Furthermore, research supports that schools with a strong school library experience higher test scores and overall academic success. The school librarian is a resource who can provide information in all of these areas.