fyi : back issues

Summer Issue 2003 - Promotion and Perceptions

Spring Issue 2002-Promotion and Perceptions

Above and beyond
Using technology, literature and information literacy to raise the profile of the school library.

By Barbara Carlson

Staff at the Helen Mackie Library of the Geelong College Preparatory School are involved with a broad spectrum of activities that extends far beyond scheduled classes. We believe raising the profile of the Library encourages collaboration and effective team-building which, in turn, provides opportunities for leadership and building influence within the school community. As Dr Gary Hartzell reminds us, "invisibility is the greatest danger to seeking influence" and "influence is derived from the perception of others". The more influence and visibility you have, the more impact you can make on improving student learning.

We have 350 students at our Middle School campus from Years 4-8. The Library was relocated, extended and re-designed in 1996 and is now an open, light and appealing space to work in. We have one full-time teacher-librarian (myself), a part-time (.7) teacher-librarian (Adria Juros) and a full-time library technician (Julia Thompson). We are also aware of another of Dr Hartzell's reminders: "Beware of the shush factor - quiet stability and silent efficiency are deadly!". Our library is often very lively with everyday noises that are part of the wide and varied usage it experiences, before and after school, at recess and lunch times and, of course, throughout the school day. These include meetings (staff, student, parents, internal and external PD); visiting authors; student and staff presentations; classes from many subject areas; lunchtime activities; card and board games; chess competitions; videos; literature-based craft activities; staff happy hours etc!

The following approaches and activities actively encourage a high visibility of the Library team and promote a positive influence by involving students, staff, parents and the greater College community. They reflect our commitment to the library as being an integral focus for learning technologies, knowledge and appreciation of literature and the development of information literacy skills within the whole school community and beyond. 

Information Literacy skills
After attending the SLAV in-service 'Evidence of thinking - evidence of learning' in Term 1 2002, Adria and myself were inspired to undertake a survey of the IL skills proficiency of our five Year 7 classes (120 students). We targeted this level because we have a considerable intake from many schools, and we used the same task as Vicki Hudson from Santa Maria College, Northcote, whose workshop Adria attended.

 
The results were collated, graphed using Excel and presented to staff at the next Curriculum Co-ordinators meeting via PowerPoint. This indisputable graphic evidence (no classes were named) clearly showed areas where our students were lacking, and garnered immediate staff support for the need to develop and implement a whole-school approach to IL skills development to improve student learning outcomes.

This support was reflected in the many IL skills lessons that were subsequently taught collaboratively with the Year 7 SOSE teachers while the students researched Ancient Lands; the integrated note-taking lessons for Year 6s and the application of technology with Year 8s using Inspiration to brainstorm topics and an electronic data chart on their laptops. This was an excellent response and supports Ross Todd's views on leadership based on evidence-based practice: "It is not telling others what they should do; it is teacher-librarians implementing learning interventions that bring about improvements". Our advice to anyone would be to start small, keep it simple and consider the overall long-term development of skills. Also, you need to evaluate, refine and 'de-brief' regularly with staff.

Understanding the Internet workshops 
Conducted over the last three years for parents, staff and the general school community, usually early in the year. Topics covered were - Evaluating Internet sites, Understanding search engines and Making effective Internet searches. Each workshop lasted one hour and participants had access to individual computers. No previous experience was necessary and all levels were catered for. These were advertised in the weekly school newsletter and were offered free of charge.

Initially, the response was overwhelming and we ran classes on two different afternoons/evenings per week (23 per class!). As Internet use has become more widespread and search engines easier to navigate, the demand has reduced considerably. All evaluation comments were extremely positive - the only negative ones were those saying the time went too quickly! These comments were passed onto our Principal, Curriculum Co-ordinator and other Administration staff. A brief report was also included in the newsletter each week. We are currently considering other technology-based workshops for 2003.

 
Literature seminars 
Literature seminars have been organised, planned and conducted jointly with staff from English, Primary, Art, our Junior School (Campbell House) and Senior School over the past eight years. Held on a Saturday and the topics covered have been Fantasy, Poetry, Visual Literacy and Humour. Advertised and promoted through the school newsletter and local papers and in Melbourne, regional Victoria and through SLAV and AISV. Keynote speakers have included Brian Caswell, Robert Ingpen, Dorothy Porter, Gary Crew, Steve Moline, Moira Robinson, Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton. Students had direct involvement through art exhibitions and drama performances. Library, English and Primary staff presented workshop sessions focussing on the practical classroom implementation of the ideas presented. A wonderful (but very time consuming) activity to be involved in, both professionally and personally, that generates positive working relationships across campuses and within and across departments.

Year 6 challenge 
The interschool Year 6 challenge is held annually and Library staff have been involved since its inception in 1993. All State schools in the local region are invited to participate by sending in a team of four Year 6 students for the entire weekend. Each team undertakes a series of challenges that requires communication, thinking, support and participation of all team members. Library staff conducted a Research Challenge where students had to access a variety of resources to answer specific higher level questions. Parents, teachers and supporters of each visiting team attend with the students and experience the school's facilities and all spend time in the Helen Mackie Library.

Literature 
Reading suggestions lists are updated annually for each year level - Years 7 and 8 are annotated and are derived from staff and student recommendations and reviews from magazines such as Viewpoint: on books for young adults, Magpies, Scan, Reading Time and The Literature Base. They provide a valuable selection tool for students, staff, parents and teachers from other schools. Lists of student favourites are also compiled from Year 7 and 8 reading records each year, according to student comments and ratings. One English period per week for secondary students is dedicated to Library. The school has developed a strong reading culture through discussion of authors, genre, new titles, student and staff recommendations, book readings, visiting authors (this year we have had Phillip Gwynne for Year 8s and Felice Arena and Anna Ciddor for all year levels), videos (authors, dramatised stories, films, genre studies), literature-based games, audio books, Book Week activities, displays, competitions, drama presentations and puppet plays. All activities are reported to the school community through the weekly Library article in the school newsletter.

Staff Recreational Reading shelf 
A collection established five years ago (on Adria's initiative after attending a Reading Matters conference in Melbourne), the Staff Recreational Reading Shelf aims to foster and encourage a reading environment among staff. We have funding support from Staff Development, Library and our Headmaster. Many purchases are made from staff recommendations. It is extremely well patronised by individual staff, their spouses and family members and several very capable Year 8 readers. A recent 'social gathering' held in the Library after school (also extremely well patronised!) was a celebration of the existence of this wonderful resource - new titles and popular existing ones were displayed and promptly borrowed for holiday enjoyment. Lucky number door prizes added to the congenial atmosphere.

World Book Day 
World Book Day is a shared reading activity for all interested students - we had 84 volunteers this year! They had a choice of three novels for Primaries and four for Secondaries (some even read all!). We had three shared lunch days with small prizes, activities and games after students had completed an optional quiz on their selected book. Promotion through the school newsletter resulted in excellent parent support and awareness. 
Miscellaneous

I am a Year 8 Homeroom teacher and Adria is a Tutor; Adria shares responsibility for the production of the school magazine Pegasus and takes a Year 8 English class and Health; I manage a Year 8 Boys Tennis team in Term 1 and 4; I am involved in relevant pro-active committees such as Staff Appraisal and the Middle Years of Schooling Development Team; We all supervise and assist at school functions whenever possible, such as Year 8 Socials, Camps and Foundation Concerts; We participate in Curriculum evenings, New Parent evenings and Open Days; Our goals for each term and our Library meeting minutes are distributed to all Department Heads and School Administration; We have a page of the school magazine, Pegasus, dedicated to Artists-in-Residence, Book Week and special Library activities; I have taken a Year 7 English Elective group this term for Puppetry and Performance; we are both taking a Year 7 novel study group next term - the theme is Refugees and we have actively contributed to the planning and resourcing of the unit which is being run concurrently with SOSE; Last year I had two Year 6 Literature Circles groups; I have presented at several conferences and Library staff have conducted many PD sessions (both formally and informally) within the school and we have initiated a 'cluster' group (meeting once a term) with Library staff from two nearby schools - one state and one private; Julia has just completed a five week course on Photoshop which will be vital in our development of the Library Homepage and all Library staff are committed to undertaking relevant, stimulating PD throughout the year.

There are many opportunities to extend your visibility and influence within and beyond the walls of the Library. To do this successfully takes persistence, teamwork, energy and a supportive work environment. As Gary Hartzell advocates, "Offer help without implying a deficiency - 'Call me if you need help' vs 'I can help you with that'". Find opportunities to educate and help students, staff, the school community and beyond. Initiate action - don't wait for people to come to you - go to them! You can make things happen!

(This article provides an outline of presentations made at the ASLA XVII Conference, Queensland, in October 2001 and the SLAV Geelong Branch 2002 AGM.)

References
Hartzell, Dr G. (2000). Building influence-collaboration and effective teams in the school community, ALIA/SLAV Conference, Preston, 19 May 2000.
Todd, R. (2001). Sustainable leadership and dancing the knowledge dance, FYI, Vol 5, No 4, Spring, p. 4 - 6..
Barbara Carlson is Library Co-ordinator of the Helen Mackie Library at The Geelong College Preparatory School. If you would like more details about any aspect of Barbara's article you may contact her via email at bcarlson@geelongcollege.vic.edu.au or by phone (03-5226-8425) or fax (03-5222-4707)