Comments for Cathy Nelson's Professional Thoughts

Comment on What’s in a name? A discussion about identity & vision by Cathy Nelson

Cathy Nelson — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:12:35 +0000

It is wonderful to have you here commenting!! I believe there is room at the table for all titles. So I say embrace what fits you best. PS–I LOVE your blog. I have a Titlwave list called MsYinglingReads and it is sort of like our emergency list to pull from when we need to add titles to a list.

Comment on What’s in a name? A discussion about identity & vision by Ms. Yingling

Ms. Yingling — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:09:26 +0000

For the last ten years, I’ve called myself a school librarian against the tide. I’m a horrible media specialist. I hate overhead projectors, my teachers show so few movies, and what I do most is give students books. Liber, libri is the Latin for book, so I have felt that librarian is the best title for me. I understand that other people are upset. I’m lucky to be in a school where they need me to be a librarian and value the work I do getting the right book to the right child at the right time.

Comment on What’s in a name? A discussion about identity & vision by Anne Robinson

Anne Robinson — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:55:47 +0000

I believe that you are right to fight for the title “teacher-librarian”. Here in the UK we are in a total mess when it comes to our professionalism and recognition. We have a mish-mash of people with librarianship qualifications called “Librarian”, “LRC Manager” and much more. We also have a large number of people with no qualifications who call themselves “Librarian”. There are also teachers calling themselves many titles. But what we don’t have, except in very rare cases, are people with dual qualifications who can call themselves “Teacher-Librarian”. There is no incentive to take both qualifications in the UK – there is little to do Librarianship, as I did so many years ago. If I were starting out, I would fight hard to be both a teacher and librarian, because that is what I am and what I do. But I wish I had the knowledge and expertise that you guys have – also teacher-librarians in Australia and New Zealand. I have always felt that there is something missing from my armoury – a teacher qualification. So, just as I baulk at unqualified people in the UK being able to call themselves “Librarian”, I think you should keep on battling for your term “Teacher-Librarian”. I wisdh I could join you! Good luck!

Comment on What’s in a name? A discussion about identity & vision by Diane Cordell

Diane Cordell — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 04:07:16 +0000

Cathy,
I’m with you on this issue: without “teacher” in our title, we are frequently confused with clerks and volunteers. Worthy people, to be sure, but not literacy and information experts.
Formal and informal teaching occur continuously in the physical library and anywhere else that the teacher/librarian is interacting with students.
We are professionals and we need to be valued as such.

Comment on iPad: the next best thing? by Tony Thompson

Tony Thompson — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:05:08 +0000

Speaking of no flash, here’s some juicy stuff on that topic: http://www.pcworld.com/article/188185/apples_ipad_and_the_flash_clash.html

Comment on iPad: the next best thing? by Tony Thompson

Tony Thompson — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:02:33 +0000

No flash is a deal-breaker…

Comment on Another call to arms for “school librarians” by Margo Jantzi

Margo Jantzi — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:02:54 +0000

Thanks Cathy for bringing this to our attention. As innovative teacher librarians, we need to advocate and market our roles in our learning hubs across the globe. My library budget was cut in half this year, but thankfully local corporations, box tops for education, and grants have tripled the funds for our students. I love this new approach with an attitude of servitude (Educon 2.2 phrase from Marilyn Perez).

Comment on Another call to arms for “school librarians” by AndyW

AndyW — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:00:41 +0000

I tossed the AASL blogpost up on LISNews. I really think our collective fates (school, public, academic, special) are linked, for how can our ideals reach the up and coming generations if there is no library present? I don’t think it is impossible, but it would be a much harder time preaching from the public into the schools. (Likewise with academics.)

I’ve been thinking about possible things to do, but I’m curious to see what the ALA/AASL does in the meantime. Surely, the time to rally is *now*.

Comment on Sign of the times… by Renee' Atkinson

Renee' Atkinson — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:23:47 +0000

I completely agree with this. I think our current cell phone policy is outdated because the kids have one, even if it’s out of sight, and most use it in class without our knowledge. I think the key to handling this issue is finding a way to “channel” that cell phone usage into something beneficial in the classroom. This may also make class more interesting so that kids aren’t as tempted to text during class to another student in another class about how bored they are.

Comment on iPad: the next best thing? by Cathy Nelson

Cathy Nelson — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:28:27 +0000

Troy, yes while these statements are true (as I work on a now 3yo Macbook pro) it is not something to easily convince the powers that be in my area of this cost analysis. I didnt mean to sound so harsh about Mac’s pricing, as I love this laptop and both my ipod and ipod touch. Saying that, I stand corrected. Thanks for visiting.