The Beginning
I have entered this Library Sciences program to be able to obtain a position in a library, to work with children and help spread my love of novels and literature to students. Through my readings, I have discovered that this is a very complex responsibility. One that I am even more passionate about than before I began researching. I have met with Media Specialists in my local high school and elementary school, and they have agreed to allow me to work with them. For my projects I have chosen to work with the high school, but I am maintaining a relationship with the elementary school and volunteering so that I can be more prepared and fully grasp the journey ahead of me.
I was shocked by the depth of the jobs expected of a Media Specialist. They are responsible for more than just the books in the library but also the success of the faculty in the school! They are in charge of professional development and encouraging the appropriate use of technology in the classroom. Focusing in on the words IN CHARGE- I have always been a peace maker and a go with the flow kind of person. Leading teachers and colleagues in discussions and motions to better the community is intimidating to me. It took my final year in my undergrad to feel comfortable enough to speak out loud in class. I have a hard time speaking in front of others. In my experience attending a professional development meeting, the teachers do not appreciate what they are learning or discussing. While I know it is impossible to please everyone, my hope is that when it is my job to host a PD meeting I can be engaging enough to actually have the teachers desire to come to the meetings.
A librarian has to be an expert on everything, they need to have the ability to access any type of information. It seems to me that a librarian's job is to make the teachers' jobs easier, the student's jobs more enjoyable, and the curriculum up to date! You have to be able to stay up to date with technology, classroom management techniques, and curriculum guidelines. (Empowering Learners)
When talking to my Service Learning teacher, who is a high school media specialist, I discovered that because of the increasing reliance on technology, books have fallen to the way side. To me this is understandable because it is much more convenient to access information using the internet than to research it in a book. In fact, I do not know that anyone would choose to research something in a text encyclopedia rather than an online resource. We have become a society who thrives on instant gratification. When a question pops into our minds, it takes less than a minute to have our curiosity satisfied thanks to search engines.
While the job of a media specialist seems overwhelming, it was comforting to remember that the more support you have from faculty and administration the more successful my job will be. This again reminds me that my leadership skills are going to have to increase tenfold if I am to do my job well and have the support of my collegues. And if I have a sufficient budget. The school I am working with for my service learning is a school that has no assigned budget. The need is specialist is not even able to push for more funding. I wonder how the Impact would work when it is not supported financially even though the physical resources are availible.
I wonder how the media specialist t my school is able to handle both being a technology facilitator and a media coordinator when the admeniatration is not involved. I am mostanxious to meet wih my service learning teacher to learn how she handles professional development (how she assesses, plans and ensures the success of the library.
When talking to my Service Learning teacher, who is a high school media specialist, I discovered that because of the increasing reliance on technology, books have fallen to the way side. To me this is understandable because it is much more convenient to access information using the internet than to research it in a book. In fact, I do not know that anyone would choose to research something in a text encyclopedia rather than an online resource. We have become a society who thrives on instant gratification. When a question pops into our minds, it takes less than a minute to have our curiosity satisfied thanks to search engines.
While the job of a media specialist seems overwhelming, it was comforting to remember that the more support you have from faculty and administration the more successful my job will be. This again reminds me that my leadership skills are going to have to increase tenfold if I am to do my job well and have the support of my collegues. And if I have a sufficient budget. The school I am working with for my service learning is a school that has no assigned budget. The need is specialist is not even able to push for more funding. I wonder how the Impact would work when it is not supported financially even though the physical resources are availible.
I wonder how the media specialist t my school is able to handle both being a technology facilitator and a media coordinator when the admeniatration is not involved. I am mostanxious to meet wih my service learning teacher to learn how she handles professional development (how she assesses, plans and ensures the success of the library.
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