scholarly journals The Introduction of School Library Coordinators to Assist Teacher Librarians: A Grass-roots Challenge for Local Government in Japan

Author(s):  
Kasuko Masuda

This paper discusses the role of the School Library Coordinator, a post created by Kawasaki City, Japan local government, in accordance with the legislated introduction of teacher librarians into all Japanese schools. It is difficult for teacher librarians to play the roles of both teacher and librarian simultaneously. They are expected to play the central role in school libraries, to support pupils’ spontaneous learning activities as well as to foster pupils’ imaginative minds.Teacher librarians are also expected to coordinate schools, families and communities to promote pupils’ reading activity by the Basic Plan to Promote Children’s Reading Activity. Kawasaki City local government introduced School Library Coordinators to assist teacher librarians and to complement their onerous duties in schools and society. Although this paper’s research and analysis indicates that Kawasaki City’s innovation of School Library Coordinators has been successful, it is noted that there is potential for more efficient performance by library coordinators in collaboration with teacher librarians.

Author(s):  
Daniela Carla de Oliveira ◽  
Marcos Gehrke

This article presents data on the impacts and changes caused by the Covid-19 pandemic on librarianship within the context of rural school libraries. We understand the work in libraries as a special activity that is only valued if contextualized. Thus, we question the role of the library and the librarian practices in the current pandemic scenario with the purpose of updating the debate on librarianship in rural schools. To this end, we conducted a bibliographic and exploratory field research mediated by the application of a questionnaire. We conclude by highlighting the precarious situation that prevents actions and activities to encourage reading and the dissemination of pedagogical resources to support school and school-community libraries.


2021 ◽  
pp. 95-106
Author(s):  
Ross J. Todd

Drugs are an important life concern of adolescents, yet statistics show alarming and disturbing increases internationally in drug abuse. This paper reports on research that examines how adolescents cognitively process information about drugs. It explores why they chose and rejected information, and how they put it to use. The findings have important implications for the role of school libraries in the provision of drug information, the teaching and learning process, information literacy education, as well as for the role of teachers and teacher-librarians in shaping the knowledge and attitudes of adolescents toward a drug-free lifestyle.


Author(s):  
Zhou Wenjie

This paper provides a study of the school library programs sponsored by the Evergreen Education Foundation (EEF) and identifies the vital role of school libraries in improving students’ information quality. Based on analyzes Strategies for building literacy skills in the library of Tianzhu No.1 High School, the study confirmed the program developed reading and literacy skills among students. As EEF programs continue to expand into other locations in China, it is the authors’ hope that this study may provide useful information and analysis based upon which decisions about future programs can be made. It is also their hope that this study provides impetus for more studies on the rural library programs in other areas of China or programs in other underdeveloped regions of the world.


Author(s):  
Hosea Tokwe

In most countries, the introduction of computer technology in schools has seen the role of school libraries transformed. Adoption of new technologies are now seen to be enhancing school libraries’ ability to perform their mission, vision and role, that is, providing learners access to a wide range of reading material to enable them to acquire knowledge as well as ability to read books online. This paper will address the impact computer technology is having on rural school learners at Katsande Primary School. It will explain how embracing of computer technology has influenced learners concerning achieving quality education. 


Author(s):  
Lucy Santos Green ◽  
Melissa P Johnston

Exploring the practices of teacher librarians in other countries fosters new knowledge, contributing to global communities of practice. The need to equip today’s youth with complex 21st century skills has served as a catalyst for change in the traditional practices of school librarians all over the world. It is this necessary change that led to questions regarding school library practices at an international level and to the need to explore school librarianship on a global level. This research study explores ways program design grounded in cultural understanding, experiences, and ways of knowing the world, are applied by practicing school librarians in Brazil, Russia, and Belize.


2021 ◽  
pp. 251-264
Author(s):  
Pradeepa Wijetunge

This paper briefly discusses the knowledge society and characteristics of the knowledge society at the beginning. Secondly it discusses the implications of knowledge society on education and the role of teacher librarian in the knowledge society. Then it goes on to discuss the education system of Sri Lanka, status of school libraries in Sri Lanka, the second General Education Project which supports the implementation of education reforms and the establishment of National Institute of Library and Information Science (NILIS) with an emphasis on training of teacher librarians by NILIS. Finally it describes the implementation model of its knowledge skills programme and the model and contents of the actual knowledge skills programme. The paper is concluded with some remarks on the factors, which will affect the success of the project.


2021 ◽  
pp. 99-110
Author(s):  
Yushiana Mansor

Provides an overview on the significance of studying information seeking behavior of children to enhance the role of school libraries. The literature on children's information seeking behavior is reviewed and integrated into the perspective of school library services. Discussion on the different models of information seeking is presented. Focuses on children's information seeking behavior in the electronic environment. Outlines issues related to children's access and barriers to information. An analysis of research methodology used is provided. Offers suggestions on the future research direction with emphasis on the Malaysian school libraries environment.


Author(s):  
Barbara McNeil

This paper draws attention to the important role school libraries, teacher-librarians, and principals can and need to play in the lives of marginalized adolescent boys in order to advance the goals of social justice and equity, and to make school libraries more relevant to citizens and communities. As an illustration of how teacher-librarians can intervene in the lives of such students, the author presents preliminary insights from a recent literacy research project that involved a school principal, a professor/school library specialist, and a professor in school leadership. Using a modified, contextually tailored version of literature circles, the researchers explored ways of enhancing the critical literacy engagement of marginalized adolescent boys in an urban school in western Canada.


Author(s):  
Ana Novo ◽  
José António Calixto

This paper presents the current situation of the school library teams’ specific training in the Portuguese Integrated Elementary Schools that in 2005 were already in the Portuguese School Libraries’ Network. Other countries’ studies, like the ones from the USA and UK, suggest that students achieve higher levels of literacy, learning and problem solving when teacher librarians have specific training to perform their duties. The analysis of data gathered from a questionnaire shows that 32% of the Portuguese school librarians do not have any kind of specific training. This scenario suggests that there hasn’t been any significant improvement since 10 years ago especially in what school librarians’ training is concerned.


Author(s):  
Lesley S. J. Farmer

International guidelines for school libraries and school librarians exist. However, the role of professional library associations in school librarian education has been largely overlooked. This exploratory study examines the role of professional library associations in Brazil, Honduras, Nepal, and the United States (specifically California) relative to school librarian pre-service education and in-service professional development. The associations are analyzed in light of communities of practice and the contingency theory of socialization. The findings demonstrate how professional library associations provide culturally relevant professional development that melds professional expertise and socialization.


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