Re: Sunset for the librarian

I don't disagree with the concept of a name change or the name itself. Many have tried, and failed to create a name fix. But finding one that is both descriptive, indicative of the position/place, and easily adopted by all has proven elusive over the last 3 decades or so since media center (and its variants) came into being.

I do differ with your assertion that the word library conjures up shushing, dark places. To some, it might-- while for others library evokes images of fun, games, socializing, information, assistance, and camaraderie. The word policeman begets images of donuts; dentist conjures images of pain and screaming, but changing these names is unlikely to drop the stereotypes associated with them.

That said, I'd point out the name Scholar Center or Scholar in Residence evokes, to me, an image of white-haired professors bedecked in cap and gown, moving purposefully through rows of books...not the many-faceted information centers described so well in your blog. Not that that's a bad thing...it's just that word association is a very difficult concept to shake once instilled.

May I point out a Pew report this year indicated 62% of GenY (18-30) use libraries; 59% genX (31-42) also. Other reports peg this even higher. Admittedly, the same report said only 13% use libraries as a first source, but that's not surprising given people's penchant for taking the path of least resistance for quick-win results. It also said 59% of all Americans visited a library last year.

Circ and visits in public libraries are at record highs. If schools are suffering low use, it's due in part to the "you get what you pay for" mentality; poor collections and limited expertise don't lead students to love the library; they don't, thus justifying administrators cost-cutting. Reverse the former, and the latter may also turn around. But it's an experiment we have few direct results on to prove conclusively.

So while reports of the death of the institution seem premature, it is unfortunate that, in this era when 21st century skills and preparing for the future is so important, that it is still such a hard sell to get schools to accept and incorporate librarians (by whatever name) in the educational mix.

A report by OCLC From Awareness to Funding pointed librarians continue promoting themselves in the wrong way - that it's not about what you have, but what you do for people to improve their lives that matters. The same findings could be applied to schools. In many ways, we are still our own worst enemy, no matter what name is used.

Re: Sunset for the librarian

Two apropos quotes-

"I'll have to admit that he's a very competent scholar."
"Isn't he just a librarian?" Garion asked, "somebody who looks after books?" "That's where all the rest of scholarship starts, Garion. All the books in the world won't help you if they're just piled up in a heap."
- David Eddings "King of the Murgos."

"The Internet may be the world's greatest library, but let's face it -- all the books are scattered on the floor." D.C. Denison

Re: Sunset for the librarian

Check out my post on "Calling All School Librarians" Blog: http://casl.wordpress.com/2008/09/30/talkin-bout-the-librarian/#comment-2639

Amazing how one little word "library" can cause such an explosion.

What’s in a Name?

A principal recently inquired about changing the title of her school librarian to something that would describe her leadership and instructional role. She thought “librarian” sounded old-fashioned and sent a message of “keeper of books.” The title for the school librarian has evolved since the first appearance of school librarians in the early 1900s. “Media specialist” was in vogue in the early 1970s as School Library and Department of Audiovisual Instruction (DAVI) standards merged. Today, with the advent of technology and renewed emphasis on student learning, “teacher-librarian” is more widely used. Simply put, school librarians are teachers first. http://www.edtechmag.com/k12/issues/august-september-2008/the-role-of-today-s-librarian.html

Does "Scholar" Cheapen Others?

Hey Dan,

Interesting post...

A bit of a pushback for you: As a full time classroom teacher, I'd be bothered by calling the library the "Scholar Center" and the librarian the "Scholar" because by suggestion/word association, it cheapens the learning done in my room and it cheapens the work that I do with my students.

If you want to learn, go to the scholar center. The "lead learner" in a building becomes the scholar.

Do you think using a term that is powerfully identified with accomplished learning for an area in a building that students only occassionally visit might affect the way that parents/students/principals look at the work done in classrooms?

I already find it hard enough to be taken seriously because "I'm just a classroom teacher," so I'd be worried about creating a new level in buildings that put me even closer to the bottom rung!

Does this make sense?
Bill Ferriter
http://teacherleaders.typepad.com/the_tempered_radical

Re: Sunset for the librarian

Dan, Your title for this post absolutely sent chills up my spine. I don't think you are suggesting that there is no longer a need for a school librarian – but rather that a change in name might change attitudes within the education community. While I agree that titles – “labels” carry a lot of weight, I think simply changing a title over-simplifies the problem.

I can think of many instances where the vision, leadership, and actions of the school librarian completely change the perceptions of fellow teachers, administrators, students and community. These are schools where the library program is the heart of the school, and 21st century learning is alive and well due to the vision, leadership and actions of the school librarian. In those cases, it really doesn’t matter what her/his title is. (Though, I do agree that in some cases, a different title might get a reluctant teacher-collaborator through the door!)

Re: Sunset for the librarian

Following every sunset is a sunrise. And the cycle continues. As the information age continues to explode and technology changes, who better than an information specialist to keep on top of emerging features, skills and strategies for dealing with all of it? Accessibility to information sources has come to everyone who has a keyboard and Internet connection of any sort. But that doesn't mean the answers you are finding are the best ones!

Re: Sunset for the librarian

I have found that telling people I am a library teacher (teacher-librarian) causes them to ask a follow-up question. "What does that mean?" and even "You teach? Our librarian just put books on the shelves!" I love having the chance to advocate for my profession this way.
So then what to call the library? Learning center? Anything with center in its name turns me off. I love staying connected to what we came from - I call it
TheLibrary.

Re: Sunset for the librarian

"The term library is rooted in the latin word libri which means paper or books.The very terms library and librarian are obstacles to the future of this critical school service because the business is no longer based in the media of paper and the book."

No, no, no..... This is just wrong. Yes, libraries and librarians work in more than just books but books are still a MAJOR aspect of our services. I work in a public law library where we see the cream of the crop coming out of law school and into the working world. Guess what? They don't understand how to use books. They spin their wheels on the computer, spending valuable client time never finding the answer. There is a time to use electronic resources and a time to use books. Good scholars know when to employ which sources, good librarians teach them. If school and college librarians can't get this across to them, they are lost sheep by the time they get to the working world.

That said, Nancy White is very correct. It's a librarian's vision that promotes the library and its value and worth. Library schools need to do a much better job of turning out graduates that can do that. It does not matter what the title is. After all, isn't the New York Times online still a newsPAPER, regardless of its format?

Re: Sunset for the librarian

While we might admire and recognize the importance of "scholars," I wonder how many students would feel they were completely out-of-place (maybe even unwelcome?) in the "Scholars' Center?" Face it, not everyone is a scholar--nor should everyone BE a scholar. We want students who have 21st century skills and be me, scholarship is a relatively small component.

Re: Sunset for the librarian

I've been called everything from media specialist to librarian and I have to tell you a story about names and perceptions.

A few years ago, when my district decided to start cutting our positions they told the community that they were cutting a "library media specialist". At the time we had assisstants that we called AV assisstants. The threatened cut caused no uproar among parents and I eventually came to find out that the community thought they were cutting one of the assistant jobs and they were OK with that.

Had we told them that a "librarian" was being cut we might still have that individual. As it is, they have continued to decrease the FTE of "library media specialists" with no backlash.

We call ourselves LIBRARIANS and our homes LIBRIARIES. I say change the definition, not the name.

Re: Sunset for the librarian

I agree with Maxine. Change your image, not your name. I like being called the librarian. The term doesn't only conjure up shushers and dark rooms. In a superficial, Hollywood sense, maybe. But I believe it reminds thinking people of the importance of libraries in society... after all, why was the burning of Alexandria's library such a big deal? Why do people still get outraged at book burnings? Wasn't the global village upset at the information blackout during the Beijing Olympics? The library is a traditional symbol for stored knowledge and the librarian is the keeper of and guide through knowledge. Most people understand the importance of access to information, both current and stored.

I don't mean that being a symbol is more important than the functions of a library, but rather that being a symbol is one of its important functions. The image we create for ourselves is mostly related to the services we provide, as Nancy and Heidi said.

Changing the term might even lower the librarians' prestige, in my opinion. In my school community, being 'the librarian' is somewhat revered, partly because everyone knows that if they have a question, I will help them find the answer. Is there anything more frustrating than needing a piece of information and not being able to get at it? Or anything more gratifying than finding the jewel you're looking for? (Well, I suppose, lots of things are. But you know what I'm getting at.)

We all chuckle at the librarian-spoofs. So what? Everyone who uses our library knows that image is not my image (and that I will laugh along with them). I don't shush unless somebody's being direspectful. I insist that burned out lightbulbs be replaced. And, have you noticed, being able to write 'librarian' on loan applications and other legal documents is a good thing! Seems they think we're something special, too!

Re: Sunset for the librarian

As a former school administrator who is married to a "librarian", I can attest that her knowledge base and skills are so far beyond the traditional image of a librarian that a name and concept change is in order. I do find it rather odd though that people who are clerks in libraries are considered to be librarians when their skill levels, and knowledge base is often so limited they are unable to assist most users of the library unless that person knows specifically what they are seeking--whether it is print media or electronic media. Moreover, clerks, by lack of formal training have little concept of how a school library (media center, learning resource center, research center) should meet the needs of its clients--think school curriculum. This is something that takes specialized training and professional practice.

Administrators who see a single position that can be eliminated and replaced by a clerk are guilty of short-sightedness. As a former administrator who has been guilty of this more times than I care to admit, I can attest to the practice. First, this position has no effect on the number of classroom seats available. Second, people can still check items out of the library and use the resources. Third, because many people, including administrators, are not aware of all the behind-the-scenes skills and knowledge that it takes to maintain and update library services little is perceived as being lost. However, over time the library could become a storage closet, and the skills of a research and resource specialist will be lost to educators and young learners. But, we won't realize the loss because by that time we will have become used to just "googling" and cutting and pasting.

As an administrator who has been trained at the highest possible level at an excellent university, I can truly say that I have never been trained in how to evaluate the library services in a school. After my wife and my librarians trained me, I now know how to assess a well functioning library. Providing high quality library service is long term and requires an awesome scholar that is well-trained in research skills and resource development. This person is an R&R Specialist (hmm--maybe that is not such a good name). I would suggest that a good place to start is for boards of education and school administrators to fully understand what a school librarian has to be able to do in order to maintain high quality services for teachers and students. They need to understand what school library excellence is. Then they can determine the level of services they can afford. So, if Scholar in Residence sounds a little musty how about Academic Resource Educator. These "librarians" educate all of us in locating academic resources we need to learn and educate.

Charley Brown, Ed.D.

Re: Sunset for the librarian

librarians are needed more than ever... no need to reconfigure name... keep it. make sure the public is aware of the newly forged job description that faces most librarians nowadays... also, raise the pay across the board for the library field, so good people are attracted into the field... maybe the billionaire librarians on the ground floor @ google and yahoo can donate some of their money !!

Re: Sunset for the librarian

Charley you are so right! Administrators really do need to take the time to understand and appreciate what a good school librarian does. It's so discouraging to see professional library staff cut in an effort to save funds. Especially when there is so much research that points to the essential role of librarians and good school library programs in student learning.
I too get very upset when library assistants and clerks are referred to as librarians just because they work in a library. Gee, if you work in a hospital are you a doctor? in a law firm, a lawyer? in a school, a teacher?
Librarians are highly skilled and educated professionals and especially essential in helping students in their 21st century learning. We deserve the respect of other equally qualified professionals and administrators.
A name change will not earn this respect. Universities and colleges should play a role in educating teachers and administrators about the important role of libraries and librarians.

Re: Sunset for the librarian

I am still undecided - I don't think changing the job title will necessarily change the image. Changing the image is what is needed and being associated with paper isn't the problem. Consider the Internet, it's filled with pages, you use bookmarks to save your spot, and tabbed navigation is all about file folders. It's not the etymological association with paper that's the problem.

Re: Sunset for the librarian

I'm afraid I always associate this kind of suggestion with people trying to devalue librarians rather than attempt to effect a cultural re-evaluation of libraries and librarians as you appear to be. I for one would rather try to change perceptions through the work that we do. I think we also need to make sure that the discipline is as rigorous as it should be, which I am afraid is not always borne out when looking at the literature and what passes as 'research' in apparently peer-reviewed journals (I'm not saying that all library research lacks rigour, just that some does).
The reasons that libraries and librarians are undervalued and misunderstood are of course complex and varied, and I doubt they can be solved through a name change, however prestigious the name chosen may be.

Re: Sunset for the librarian

Changing a title does nothing - that new title will simply not be connected to any of our past traditions, which many of us are proud of even as we forge new paths into new media, building new knowledge, and teaching. Changing our name from "librarian" to something new won't gain us any more respect if we fail to advertise what it is we *do* - which is the main problem now. My students associate "library" with a place not only of concrete knowledge containers, but computers, net access, electronic resources, iPods and digital equipment. They associate "librarian" with the quirky, funny, loud, engaging librarians they encounter who provide excellent service and teaching. I dont feel held back by my title, I feel empowered by it. Those who don't might check to see what they're actually *doing* that reflects their work.

Re: Sunset for the librarian

I personally like 'Librarian' , we as a profession just need to do some PR as to what that means in the 21st Century. I came across this the other day, the International School of Tianjin calls it's library the 'Library and Information Literacy Center" I like that way that sounds.

Re: Sunset for the librarian

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet" - William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, 2.2
Will a name change result in a changed image? As others have commented, changing the title doesn't change what teacher-librarians do. Last spring Joyce Valenza, a nationally-known NY school librarian, presenter and columnist, produced the following video explaining what a “certified school librarian” or “library media specialist” does: http://www.sdst.org/shs/library/videos/librarypresentation.mov. As you can see from the video, a certified school librarian is really way too busy to utter the sound, “Shh.”

As school districts tighten budgets, school librarians have become targets for job cuts because they are often ‘quiet’ leaders who think their good-natured, intelligent acts of service will be enough to prove their worth. Now more than ever before, teacher-librarians must communicate continuously and positively with their principals, colleagues, parents and students, on just how much they do and how they increase student achievement. The research is out there, but folks seem to be too busy to read the research (scholar-in-mind) so the teacher-librarian must “live” the research and share the results so that the learning community knows. One group of school librarians in Colorado are showing their positive actions through a blog: http://libpower.blogspot.com/. There are many other examples of blogs, newsletters, listservs, Nings, and positive emails out there, but once again, it comes down to taking time to put the good news out there regardless of how tired one is at the end of the day.

Perhaps, librarians became too used to being in a place (the library) where principals didn’t have to go because students were on task; hence quiet. As a librarian, I would strategically pull my principal into the library during collaborative instruction so that he could see what I was doing since often principals don’t walk into quiet, productive classrooms. :) They don't think they need to -- yet, "out of sight, out of mind" results. Several of my students use this same model so that there is no question of what value they add to the learning community. I haven’t heard a “shh” in libraries I’ve been visiting for the past four years, and with 128 students currently in the School Library & Instructional Leadership program at the University of Colorado Denver, I visit a lot of libraries.

The bottom line is that our titles do not make us who we are. We can change a name/title, but it doesn’t change the teacher-librarian’s responsibilities and who we are as instructional leaders. As the sun rises each day, it is still the responsibility of each teacher-librarian to learn how to reach their 21st Century learners. Just as it is still the responsibility of each principal and school district leader to learn how to support their professionals in gaining the knowledge necessary to reach 21st Century learners. Relationships are reciprocal. If the school districts show that they value the school librarian’s services, the school librarian will rise to the expected standards and those who don’t, will leave. Eliminating the position will merely create a ghost town out of the potential learning hub of the 21st Century School: the school library.