Abby Spitzer is in her 5th year as the media specialist at Baron DeKalb Elementary. In an interview, she was asked to share how she encourages collaboration through her library program as outlined by the AASL Shared Foundation competencies.
Abby shared how she is implementing the competencies of collaboration for learners, the library, and as a librarian. For learners, she plans group projects and research activities which students complete when they come to the library. Abby shared that the majority of these lessons relate to science standards which are being taught in the general classroom. For the library as a whole, collaboration is encouraged with teachers. Abby regularly asks teachers for suggestions on the types of materials purchased for the library so that the collection matches the needs of the school. She, also, provides professional development on topics as needed by school staff. As a librarian, Abby has created a culture where students feel welcome to express themselves in what they would like to learn about by encouraging student selected research topics.
Abby shared that because students have district issued devices, this has changed how they collaborate. She stated that sometimes she feels students are more inclined to share digitally than in person, and that she is able to solicit responses from some who would otherwise not participate. Abby stated that students enjoy collaborating via Flipgrid and Voice Thread for numerous projects.
Abby shared that she collaborates with classroom teachers often, especially when making new purchases for her library collection. She stated that her hope is that by including teachers in purchasing decisions, they feel some ownership in the collection. This allows teachers to become familiar with resources that are available. In addition, this collaboration ensures that resources contained within the collection match school curriculum and objections.
Abby Spitzer stated that her challenges in meeting the competencies outlined by this shared foundation are due to having a fixed schedule, no assistant, and other assigned duties. Abby's library schedule is completely fixed, and she is especially limited as to when she can meet with teachers. When teachers have planning, Abby has classes. Additionally, she does not have an assistant. This means that leaving the library to collaborate means closing the library which is something she avoids. Baron DeKalb is a very small school, less than 250 students, so this attributes to her lack of help in the library. Finally, Abby is not just the media specialist. This year she has been assigned numerous other jobs. She has become a science instructor, Study Island facilitator, and she is the after school program coordinator. While she tries to prevent her other duties from impacting her library program, the impact can be seen. She sometimes feels that she is not respected as a media specialist, but she is seen more as an interventionist.
Abby shared that because students have district issued devices, this has changed how they collaborate. She stated that sometimes she feels students are more inclined to share digitally than in person, and that she is able to solicit responses from some who would otherwise not participate. Abby stated that students enjoy collaborating via Flipgrid and Voice Thread for numerous projects.
Abby shared that she collaborates with classroom teachers often, especially when making new purchases for her library collection. She stated that her hope is that by including teachers in purchasing decisions, they feel some ownership in the collection. This allows teachers to become familiar with resources that are available. In addition, this collaboration ensures that resources contained within the collection match school curriculum and objections.
Abby Spitzer stated that her challenges in meeting the competencies outlined by this shared foundation are due to having a fixed schedule, no assistant, and other assigned duties. Abby's library schedule is completely fixed, and she is especially limited as to when she can meet with teachers. When teachers have planning, Abby has classes. Additionally, she does not have an assistant. This means that leaving the library to collaborate means closing the library which is something she avoids. Baron DeKalb is a very small school, less than 250 students, so this attributes to her lack of help in the library. Finally, Abby is not just the media specialist. This year she has been assigned numerous other jobs. She has become a science instructor, Study Island facilitator, and she is the after school program coordinator. While she tries to prevent her other duties from impacting her library program, the impact can be seen. She sometimes feels that she is not respected as a media specialist, but she is seen more as an interventionist.
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