Collaboration

[Jeri Hurd]

This seems a great place to post this. I finish my MLIS in August, start my new job soon thereafter. Of course, as a student, we're learning all these great, idealistic attitudes about collaboration. And I believe, I believe! I taught English for 20 years, and during that time had one librarian who truly walked the talk. In fact, I decided to become a librarian because of her.

Now, while I was doing my practicum, my CTL took me to task for a newsletter I created, because it gave teachers several internet resources they could access for develping lessons. His reasoning was, "It doesn't bring them into the library. Don't ever give them ideas that don't require you to assist, because you want to build the library's importance." I've been thinking about this quite a bit. I can see his point on the one hand, especially since he has a hard time getting teachers to collaborate, but my gut tells me this is exactly the wrong attitude. If you're helpful/useful in one arena, don't you think they'd come back for ideas in others?

Anyway, I'd like to hear what more experienced librarians think about this!

[Judi Moreillon]

Jeri,
My opinion is share, share, share resources. It could be that one of the soon-to-be-recognized roles of teacher-librarians is in promoting professional development with classroom teacher colleagues.

If we expect classroom teachers to share their students, their precious class time (I am not being facetious here.), and their curriculum, the very LEAST we can do is share the best resources we know. A quick look at Loertscher's taxonomies emphasizes resource sharing as an entree into collaborative planning and teaching.

If you're asking, I say, "Share!"

[Mary Ann Harlan]

I'd agree with Judi. Collaboration is a tough bid with some teachers but providing resources and help is an excellent way to open the door. Your point about being helpful in one arena leading to teachers using your services for other arenas is, in my experience, right on. Building collaborative relationships can be a slow process, being helpful is a good first step.