School Librarians Responding to Change During the Pandemic

This is the video I prepared for the PLAI Congress 2021. I gave a talk on my paper, School Librarians Responding to Change During the Pandemic.

School Librarians During Pandemic Times: AASL Chart of School Librarian Role

In April 2021, I conducted a survey among school librarians whose libraries are subscribed to Scholastic's literacy program. The later was earnestly bent on helping the former survive through the pandemic. As an invited speaker, I had the chance to develop a survey on the status of school librarians during the pandemic. In the study, four roles of the school librarian were identified. I then further developed the result of the survey into a webinar that has a priming and post activity for participants to do asynchronously.

Around July, when the PBBY had a round table discussion with librarians, PASLI President Ms. Ching Basagre and NLP librarians presented the services and programs they have been running during the pandemic. All these information prompted me to go back to the survey of April 2021, reread the blog posts I have on SLIA and whip up a proposal for the PLAI Congress. This month, I received a letter of acceptance.

As I have been developing the paper for the past two weeks now, I found this chart by the American Association of School Librarians that spells out the varied roles and responsibilities that school librarians do in and for the learning community during the COVID era. What makes this chart valuable is the identification of different learning modalities, vis-a-vis the functions and purposes of school library work. This will definitely help me shape the paper I am writing. Also, it lends insight into the work I do in the Academy and the advocacies that go along with the practice of librarianship.

Have a look at the chart. Send me a PM or reply in the comments below. Let's talk!

PASLI and Peace Advocacy: Let's POP It!

 

Scholastic Webinar: Collaboration in the School Library

In the survey I conducted with school librarians, the majority of whom are from schools that have partnered with Scholastic's Reading Program, four relatively new roles emerged from the shift to online and the digital rendering of library services and programs: 1) teacher of media and information literacy skills; 2) content creator; 3) research facilitator; and 4) technology consultant. Prior to the pandemic, I believe that some school librarians were already performing one or more of these roles. However, not all school librarians were doing so, or such roles were seldom discussed among school librarians in roundtable discussions and professional assemblies. This underscores the need for further research to establish a theory of professional practice.

Each of these roles requires specific skills and competencies from the school librarian. What is common among the four new roles is the ability to collaborate with library staff, teachers, school leadership, and members of the internal school community, as well as reaching out to society at large.

Collaboration in schools and educational institutions is grounded in the studies and philosophical works of Lev Vygotsky, Jerome Bruner, and John Dewey. It is a social skill that utilizes highly developed communication skills, as well as emotional and moral courage to listen to partners when completing shared tasks. When a school community perceives the library as an essential part of its learning ecosystem, it becomes feasible for the school librarian to function as a partner, team member, and collaborator in key projects and programs within the school. This lays the groundwork for Embedded Librarianship.

Based on selected readings, resources, and reflections from my own practice, I created conceptual maps on collaboration in school libraries and teacher-librarian partnerships. These models serve as references for examining, reflecting on, and planning tasks involving the facilitation of research skills, co-teaching of academic writing, and creation of content in both online platforms and physical formats.

School librarians coordinate and collaborate with students, faculty, academic departments, and student services, especially school leadership, in planning and implementing services and programs. Additionally, school librarians forge pathways for networking and linkages within the school community and broader society. This model is common in many school libraries where librarians provide access to information, resources, and reading materials. Serving as a liaison of valuable information is a role that school librarians can comfortably undertake using various technology tools. During the pandemic, when school campuses closed, libraries transitioned online to continue their coordinating and cooperating roles. On the other hand, a school community can maximize the library and its valuable human resources when the school librarian is integrated into the instructional and academic teaching force.

In this framework, collaboration is perceived and applied as a shared process. While the roles of teachers and librarians may differ, each contributes to achieving tasks and projects that lead to effective and meaningful learning experiences. Establishing a shared goal and understanding the complementary skills of teachers and librarians are crucial.

I have blogged about specific tasks, projects, and teaching partnerships. Follow the Teacher and Librarian Collaboration link to read more about them. 

Below is another visual map illustrating the teamwork between teachers and librarians.

The realization of this model depends on how school leaders perceive school librarians. The competencies of both teachers and librarians are essential factors in making this model a reality in many schools. Collaboration requires trust, and therefore, personal attitudes and behaviors toward each other play a significant role. Despite encouragement from school leaders, some teachers may not feel comfortable working with school librarians. However, a creative and people-oriented librarian can facilitate collaboration through deliberate communication and planning with colleagues. These efforts require time, patience, and strategic thinking.

References:

The Many Faces of School Library Leadership. Coatney. Sharon. Editor. Libraries Unlimited. California: 2010.

Montiel-Overall, Patricia. Toward a Theory of Collaboration for Teachers and Librarians. AASL, 2005 (PDF)

Standards for the 21^st Century Learner. American Association of School Librarianship. Chicago, Illinois: AASL, 2009

Trilling, Bernie and Charles Fadel. 21^st Century Skills: Learning for life in our times. California: Josey Bass/ John Wiley Sons, 2009.

Google JamBoard for Asynchronous Learning

 One of the things I learned in Online Distance Learning is the deliberate planning of activities for asynchronous sessions. This space for teaching and learning must be utilized to incorporate time management and self monitoring.

Input sessions or front loading can be done through videos or recorded materials, cobbled resources can be arranged in an organized manner and/or the learning packets can be distributed through LMS. However, it is in the asynchronous activity where student engagement, even agency, is evident. So, I am bringing this insight in my trainings and webinars for teachers and librarians.

Here is a frame from one of the JamBoards I made for participants of the webinar I prepared for school librarians. Feedback, discussion points and consultations will take place during the synchronous session.

Priming Activities: Responding to Change in the Pandemic Era

In preparation for my webinar for school librarians on Friday, April 30, 2021, participants are asked to do the priming activities.

Priming Activity 1 is a survey that participants must answer on or before Friday, April 30, 2021. 

Here is the link - https://forms.gle/qBxbsPAzULs16vf96

Priming Activity 2 consists of  two videos for participants to watch.

 Video 1 - How a single-celled organism almost wiped out life on Earth - Anusuya Willis - YouTube

 Video 2 - How pandemics spread - YouTube

 After watching the two videos, choose one and do this activity:

 1. Write 3 insights or 3 new information you have or gathered from the video.

2. Write 2 questions you have on the video.

3. Write a summary of the video.

4. Post your 3 insights and discoveries, 2 questions and 1 summary on JamBoard. Here is the link to the JamBoard -  https://jamboard.google.com/d/1h2UpeM_XP8TVUbtoa38QF9ltcJduYgU66RjBZEZfQyg/edit?usp=sharing

The survey and the videos plus JamBoard activity are entrance pass of the participants to the webinar on April 30, 2021.

 

Slide Presentation: Designing a MIL Module for Online Distance Learning and Remote Learning

LIBRARY IN THE NEW NORMAL

School Libraries Contribute to the Continuity of Learning

Dear SLIA: How to Make a Virtual Library? (Part 1 of 2)

Teacher Al of Keys School San Juan sent this query in Messenger: Ms. Zarah, Good day! Please explain how to make classroom virtual library in Google.

My reply to him:

I started making a website for our library through Google Site back in 2010. My knowledge of blogging made it easier to understand the interface and html of Google Site. Another platform I used was Wikispace back in 2012, until it closed down in 2014-15(?) The Google Site was for the purpose of internat communication on basic library servcies to our students, teachers and staff. The Wikispace was the platform for the library's Pathfinder and Webquest. Pathfinders are curated content from varied online resources. Webquests are search and locate activity modules using print and online materials.

Now, we are using Workplace by Facebook where the library has a group/page. There we post resources, teaching strategies, poetry, songs, pathfinders, news and updates on our subscriptions. What we curate and collect in Workplace, we put in our library’s Google Site for archiving.

I am also available Monday to Friday, at 2-4pm for chat with students on research consultations. Students and teachers can also reach me via email. So, I am using multi platforms to render library services virtually. Even before school closure, these platforms are already in place. We carried on the provision of remote services through the lockdown.

The video in making a Google Site is helpful. It has tools and strategies to help you create a virtual library. I suggest you further research on Blended Librianship and discover the theory and approach behind the creation of a virtual library. Work with Teacher Van so you can spread out the work. It can be time consuming because you are creating and curating content as well as understanding technology appropriate for K-12.

Also, you are communicating how students and teachers unpack and deconstruct metadata in different online subscriptions. It can be time consuming, but I learned to be patient when creating content and communicating it to the community.

School Librarians and 21st Century Literacy

There were two plenary speakers on the last day of the IASL PASLI Workshop and Conference. They were Atty. Suyat who discussed data privacy laws in school libraries and Hon. Lourdes David who peesented updates on the Continuing Professional Development Act for librarians. Both topics were of utmost importance to participants and delegates.

The announcement of newly elected officers followed next and yours truly was elected as the association’s PRO. The 2019-2021 PASLI Officers are: Ching Perez Basagre, President; Rhodora Valdez, Vice President; Mavic De la Cruz, Secretary; Gemme Cuña, Treasurer; Salve Dimzon, Auditor; Charlie Padernal, Business Manager; Kelvin Samson and Alma Singian as Board Members. Cris Laracas, former president of PASLI delivered the PASLI accomplishment report to the association. The elected officers were sworn in by Hon. Lourdes David. What followed was the tour to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, The National Museum of Natural History and Fort Santiago. 

There was no official announcement when and where the 6th IASL Workshop is going to be, but if I were you, this is one of the many professional development activities worth saving up for. Networking in the ASEAN is a promising investment. Planning is key when one sets goals and programs for lifelong learning. Attendance to national conferences as well as off shore professional events can be targeted and programmed in a span of three to five years. 

In general, the IASL PASLI Workshop and Conference was a success as it gathered school librarians in the ASEAN to an engaged discourse on issues relevant to the needs of school librarians today. With the help and support of agencies like the Board for Librarians, IASL and even PLAI, PASLI will be able to continue to actualise its goals and objectives.

Until next conference, school librarians! 

Presentation on Bibliotherapy: The Healing Magic of Stories for the IASL-PASLI Regional Conference 2019

IASL's 5th Regional Workshop for School Libraries 2019

PASLI in partnership with IASL invites you to the IASL's 5th Regional Workshop for School Libraries in Southeast Asia & PASLI's 41st National Conference and General Assembly on April 24-26, 2019. See you in MANILA!

REGISTER NOW! please click the link: https://goo.gl/forms/i96Gs0PXs8gv8kKf2

Invitation: https://paslinews.files.wordpress.com/…/invitation-to-parti…

Program (Draft) https://paslinews.wordpress.com/…/iasl-pasli-2019-programme/

Call for Papers https://paslinews.wordpress.com/…/join-us-…/call-for-papers/

For more updates, please visit the PASLI website: https://paslinews.wordpress.com/

Teaching Information Literacy in the Age of Millineals

Information Literacy Millinneal Way from Zarah Gagatiga

Media and Information Literacy Matrix of Topics

A Media and Information Literacy (MIL) matrix of topics I put together as product of my practice and research when preparing for training workshops on MIL for school librarians.

Please properly attribute and appropriate my work as source when you use the matrix. I would also appreciate an email or a message informing me that you used the matrix.

Thank you!

Mil k 12-library_instructionalprogram from Zarah Gagatiga

Priming Activity: The Hero and the Trusted Sidekick

Priming Activities help participants prepare themselves for a workshop or a learning encounter. For the facilitator, activities that prime the participants into the workshop help him or her establish a context that would make the experience more meaningful for them. On a personal note, I always put the participants above the topics for discussion. My goal is to meet them where they are at and that is a tall order for myself in a one-day workshop. But that is why I love designing and conducting workshop. I set high expectations upon myself so that I can learn from the experience too.

For the Hero and the Sidekick workshop, here are the priming activities for the participants.

A. Complete the following sentences:

I am attending the workshop because ____________________________________.

I want to know how __________________________________________________.

I want to understand __________________________________________________.

Your answers to Priming Activity A is your entrance pass to the workshop. Write your answers on a small sheet of paper with your name on it. I will collect the sheets of paper with your name and answers on it at the start of the workshop.

B. Read the blog article School Librarian: Every Educators Trusted Sidekick by Dianne McKenzie.

Go to this link:  https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/school-librarians-every-educators-trusty-sidekick-dianne-mckenzie. If this doesn't work, copy-paste the title of the article on Google's search box.

Write down what struck you while reading the article. If you have questions about the article, write them down too. Your answers will come in handy during the BUZZ GROUP sessions.

C. What to bring on July 4:

- an open mind and a positive attitude

- a schedule of work flow for the day

- a brief job description of your work as school librarian

- existing program on Media and/or Information Literacy, if your library has one 

- existing library instruction program, if your library has one

- for teachers: a sample lesson plan on any subject

- for school leaders: principals and academic coordinators bring a sample 3-5 year development plan that includes the library's growth and development along side the school's 

For questions, send me an email via zarah.gagatiga@gmail.com. If you are done with activity B, you may share it with me by sending your answers using my email address. Have fun everyone! See you on July 4!

Millennials and School Libraries

Sharing with you this PPT by Darrel Marco as presented during the 2017 PASLI Conference in Cagayan De Oro.

How millenials reshape and reinvent the school libraries from Zarah Gagatiga

Dear School Librarian in Action: Library Activities for Chidlren and Writing Community in Iloilo

Early of December last year, a friend referred me to Hazel Hagerty, a library volunteer in a private school in Iloilo. She is from the United Kingdom and will be in the Philippines for a while to help run a school library for grade school children. I received the following questions from her: 

As you are librarian, could I please ask for your advice... as to what I can do here in this children's library? I really want to plan an author visit too, do you know of any authors that are based in Iloilo or somewhere nearby? 

I sent Hazel my answers:

Here are the writers whom you can get in touch with for author visits and literacy events in your school:

I have rounded up friends from the local book industry and they have given me leads and names. Apparently, there is a book launching of Aklanon children's books on Dec 10, a children's book summit in Iloilo in February, and a growing number of children's book writers in the province. In fact, they have groups and a publishing house already.
 

Check these links:
 

Dungung Kinaraya
https://www.facebook.com/dungugkinaraya/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf
Kasingkasing Press
https://www.facebook.com/KasingkasingPress/ 

Here are names of Ilonggo authors based in Iloilo, Aklan and neighboring areas:

Noel G. De Leon 

Melchor Cichon
Christian George Acevedo
Antonniette Cortez

Now, about the library activities for your children, here is a link to my blog where you will find reading and book activities appropriate for them and the community too.

On Books and Reading

http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2013/02/dear-librarian-on-books-reading.html

Book Making and Information Literacy Lessons

http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2008/09/information-literacy-skills-lesson.html

Book Spine Poetry

http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-book-spine-poetry-contest-is-back.html

I have not heard from Hazel since last week, but here's hoping she's doing well in her bookish and reading endeavors

Filipino Librarian of the Month: Tericel C. Tamayao

Librarians like Tericel Tamayao help kids navigate the digital environment

Our Filipino Librarian of the Month is Ms. Tericel C. Tamayao. Tericel is the teacher librarian of the Early Learning Center of Brent International School Manila. 

a. Why did you pursue LIS in college?

16 years ago, a librarian husband and 2 kids later, I met LIS in PUP that I don’t have a choice but to pursue because I was a late enrollee then. All the most popular and exciting courses were closed. That time, I am not really proud about the course and whenever my friends were asking me about it, just to at peace them, I remember that I keep on telling them that I will shift to Journalism next semester (which is my first choice of course). But it didn’t push through. A lot of crazy things happened.

To fast forward, all my dedicated and hardworking professors in PUP greatly influenced and motivated me to continue and finish the LIS course. Most especially when I did my practicum and was exposed to libraries and see how librarians were very enthusiastic and passionate about their job. It was only when I became a librarian that I realized that I didn’t choose to pursue LIS. It is LIS who pursued me. ☺ Now, I know I have the best job in the world! 

My family is very proud that I never gave up being a librarian.

b. What is exciting about your job as a school librarian?

The exciting part of my job as a school librarian is everything! I get to interact with students everyday. I get to read great stories to them and teach them library skills. They are so funny and excited about books. How I wish the whole world loved books as much as they do. They have opened my mind to a world of possibilities in learning, in technology, in life. There are so many wonderful children’s stories out there and I love introducing children to these stories. I love to see their faces glow and get so excited about something we’ve just read and most especially when they found a just right book for them. I enjoy helping students and teachers find answers to questions they have and I love connecting them to good books.

Storytelling and reading aloud are activities that kids look forward to!

c. What challenges do you face as an LIS professional?

The STEREOTYPE! “Oh, do you teach lessons in the library?” There’s the other challenging part: people think we do nothing but sit around, sshhing the kids and read books all day! There are still many people who do not have an understanding of what we do and what we can do. 

I currently have a very supportive administration, but this has not always been the case. We should be advocating for what we do, sharing our abilities and skills with the students, teachers and to the community. Going above and beyond what people expect.

Since becoming a librarian, I have discovered that I need to step up and be visible on who I really am and what I am doing to shine a positive light on my profession. I am very proud of the fact that I am a school librarian serving the school alongside with teachers. I want everyone to know that I am a teacher librarian. I teach kids every day and I engage them to love reading.

Advocating books, reading and literature is a job Teri enjoys doing.

d. Recommend 5 Must-Reads for K-3 readers, teachers and parents.

It is very hard to trim down the recommended must-read books for K-3 readers because I have a long list. But anyway, these 5 books that I chose to take a special place in my heart and were among my top 5 read-aloud favorites.

1. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein – It’s hard to imagine a story more poignant than the tale of a tree that gives its life for a boy turned self-centered young man. It’s been interpreted along environmentalist and religious lines, but all can agree on the beauty of its underlying theme of generosity.

2. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle – A cheery caterpillar nibble his way through an assortment of colorful foods and transforms into a butterfly.

3. Love You Forever written by Robert Munsch; illustrated by Sheila McGraw – A mother cradles her sleeping and sings him a lullaby and keeps up the habit for years and years.

4. A Perfectly Messed-Up Story by Patrick McDonnell – Louie becomes angry when the story in which he appears is ruined by messes from jelly, peanut butter, and other things that do not belong in books.

5. The Book With No Pictures by B. J. Novak – In this book with no pictures, the reader has to say every silly word, no matter what.

Book reviews from:

http://time.com/100-best-childrens-books/

Filipino Librarian of the Month: Virgilio "Vjay" Medina Jr.

Our featured Filipino Librarian this month is Virgilio Medina Jr. He is currently working as a school librarian in an IB school in Qatar. In this interview, he shares his experiences working abroad in an international school. Vjay, as he is fondly called by friends and colleagues, tells us where he gets the time and inspiration to write research papers in spite of being a busy practicing school librarian.

What is it like for a Filipino librarian working in a foreign and international school?

Working in an international school is such an invaluable experience as I am dealing with a diverse community with different needs and demands. Aside from this, I also get the chance to understand their cultural background and to position myself on what type of library services I can offer to them. Its indeed a great blessing to be part of a vibrant community where lifelong learning is the utmost priority.

I love collaborating and working with young learners as I believe this is the best opportunity for me to engage and stimulate them in the process of learning.

What challenges and exciting things do you encounter in your work as a school librarian in an IB School?

The most challenging experience of working in an IB school is to implement programs and services that support the research needs of the community as an integral part of the IB curriculum. Some libraries that I had worked for, research was being done by the faculty, or in a higher education. In an IB-based setting, however, the library plays a significant role in helping students become an effective researcher by providing a library instruction program and promoting the library as a source of information.

Vjay with Dr. Ross Todd of Rutgers University and
Fadekemi Oyewusi of the University of Ibadan, Nigera

How do you manage to write academic and research papers, despite your busy schedule?

I am the type of person who prefers to stay at home and reads books during my free time. This could be one of the reasons why I can allocate my free time in making an academic paper and in writing professional papers. Lastly, I am active in participating in various school libraries-based meeting and networking as I believe this is a good start to further develop my skills and strategies in serving my community.

My research interest focuses on Digital Literacy and how this can be marketed in promoting libraries.

What is your advice for Filipino Librarians who wish to try their luck in working in a school library abroad?

For those who are aspiring to work abroad, I'd like to encourage you to just have faith and never underestimate your capacity in making a big difference. Just believe in yourself that being Filipino will not hinder you to conquer your dreams and even to be the best librarian you would like to be. Filipinos are known to be hardworking, passionate and most importantly, people who do not simply give up no matter how difficult the circumstances are. Hence, being a Filipino is something you should be proud of. "Kung nagawa ko, mas kayo niyo!" 

God bless you on your endeavor! Keep on dreaming and aiming for the best!