Leading the Way Toward Innovation: Digital Age Librarians Cathy Collins, PD Chair, MassCUE; Library Media Specialist; Sharon Public Schools

Visions of the Library Old (but accepted) View: Silent Repository of knowledge only found in items published (vetted) by a few Emphasis on books Librarian- Shh, control Heavy Oak furniture Media controlled by a few (Globe, Time) Contemporary Conceptualizations: Healthy hum of voices and activity Materials where information can be found AND created. Books plus so much more! Library Media Specialist- Engager, Connector Flexible, open spaces Media generated by many including users

Visions of the Librarian/Media Specialist -Still Fighting Stereotypes! Fake News version: *Shhh… *Books only *Isolated More Truthful Version! *Innovative, dedicated professionals *More relevant than ever! Through knowledge of curriculum & instruction, technology, PD *Leaders, “go to” people *Connect library program to other school and district wide initiatives. *As storytellers, natural public relations experts!

Library Spaces: from Traditional to Learning Commons Model and Beyond... Value of Learning Commons Concept: lends itself to 21st century skills instruction; 4Cs and beyond... Our Story: Before/After Photos What We Did Right Challenges: What We Learned Along the Way Our Vision: Where We are Heading and How We Plan to Get There

Designing your space to meet student needs; grant writing; involving the entire school community

Innovative Library Spaces: from Traditional to Learning Commons Model and Beyond... Value of Learning Commons Concept: lends itself to 21st century skills instruction; 4Cs and beyond... Our Story: Before/After Photos What We Did Right Challenges: What We Learned Along the Way Our Vision: Where We are Heading and How We Plan to Get There

School Libraries as Innovation Hubs/Idea Labs Joyce Valenza: “Well into the 21st century, it is clear that the concept of modern teacher librarian practice is not clear. There is no textbook for what effective practice looks like in continually morphing information and communication landscapes.” TED Talk: What to Expect from Libraries in the 21st Century Changing Role of the School Librarian Manifesto for 21st Century Librarians

Next Phases: Space Planning, Development *Student-centered, student-driven *Process over product: creativity at center of learning *Informal learning environments *Tie-in with Global Competence, STEAM focus: ex. HS STEAM certificate program, Sharon STEM Talks *Maker Spaces including contemporary resources, learning tools

Next Phases: Roles of Library Media Specialists Digital Literacy Team- Sharon’s model Benefits: *Expanded role allows for greater impact and collaboration across subject areas and disciplines; stronger alignment with school and district wide initiatives (ex. STEAM focus “School librarians as partners in STEM” *Shifting the image to expand the role leads to increased impact on student learning *Need for more “hands on deck” in the area of tech integration is met

Library Media Specialist: Roles/Responsibilities Leading digital citizenship Guiding digital content decisions Coaching teachers in educational technology Building new courses; workshop/staff PD, Sharin’ Innovation Day Curating educational resources; increasingly digital... Teaching beyond the library Supporting 1:1 implementations Serving on School/District Leadership Teams Strategic Problem Solvers

Next Phases: Collection Development/Resources Books and Magazines Reference materials MakerSpace Resources/Human Resources! (STEM Talks) e-Resources (databases, state/shared collections) Technology- iPads, laptops, ebooks (readers, Nooks) Grant Writing (HUB Tech, Sharon Ed Foundation, PTSO, BookList) Other

What can you share? Virtual High School, World Challenge (real world, hands on research & learning), Student Mentors (teaching younger students about digital citizenship), yoga clubs, Tenacity Challenge, Poetry Out Loud Programming: from Sharon STEM Talks, Global Competence Program, Books & Bagels, Poetry Slams, Game Clubs, Robotics, Girls Who Code, Boys Who Code, ADL, Makerspace Challenges in Library and out... PD: Pod walks; Badging; Sharin’ Innovation Day

Makerspace Challenges

PD Badging

Q&A We’ll write down questions and share out from here.