Discussion Question 3: What is the biggest problem facing school libraries in Canada with regard to selection tools?

I think that one challenge with respect to selection tools is trusting that the tool is giving you an honest review and does not have a vested interests in selling the product. Perhaps I am being too cynical here but when I become a TL I think the challenge for me will be building trust and faith in the tools themselves. I think I will probably find myself at bookstores at lot, talking to the clerks, and asking questions. It will be difficult to order a resource that I haven’t held in my hand or perused on line. I also think one of the biggest challenges for a new TL will be finding out what already exists in their library collection. The next biggest challenge will be to identify what the needs are of the students and the teachers in the school. Once that is identified, distinguishing what is important to purchase immediately and what is to be added to a wish list for later (when you might be lucky enough to come up with some extra money) will be another challenge.

 

In the discussion thread I really appreciated Linda’s comment, "I think that if our libraries have resources that are current and up-to-date, and TLs that know what they are and how to use them, it is another plug to extol the value of school libraries and the TLs who work in them." Before I started taking these library courses I really had no idea the amount of work that is required on the part of the TL to evaluate and select resources for the library. I add to Linda’s discussion that I think it is so important for the TL to regularly inform teachers about some of the resources in the library so that they see the value of the library. I wonder if this is possible? I imagine that this could be done when collaborating with teachers. Or perhaps taking 5 really quick minutes at staff meetings? It just seems to me that it needs to be made more apparent so that teachers will know what great resources exist. One thing I will strive toward is helping the staff to know the library collection as it pertains to the grades that they teach. I would like to even explain to them why resources are where they are so that it will make sense to them when they go looking for resources. Perhaps too ambitious of a goal? But to start I will make it my first priority to get to know the resource collection myself!