Comments on: School Librarian: Is the name change a step backwards?

By: ‘School Librarians’ and Libraries – Seeking Relevance & a Future? «

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 08:17:34 +0000

[...] magazine, School Library Journal’s Talkback, AASL’s blog, Cathy Nelson’s blog, Bookends blog, just to name a few, and clealy the debate [...]

By: Cathy Nelson

Cathy Nelson — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:43:59 +0000

Thanks Jim for your insights and allaying my fears about being arrested for my “rebel” nature.

By: Jim Randolph

Jim Randolph — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:24:06 +0000

After much thought, I think I agree w/Michael G. Think of the cocktail party “What do you do?” question. Everyone always tries to answer in the simplest terms. I have a friend, an expert in the field of parasitology. She just says, “I’m a scientist at the CDC.” She knows most people don’t know what the heck a parasitologist is (she studies a very specific parasite in S. America).

I personally have warmed up to “teacher librarian” but it does not trip lightly off the tongue and there’s the question, “You teach librarians?” And I’ve never liked “media specialist.” That sounds like a TV political spin doctor to me.

Librarian is fine, but “School Librarian” is good as well. It distinguishes us from our wonderful MLS-bearing colleagues and hopefully hints at the teaching, research, and other complex issues involved with running a school library program.

You’re right, we still say “Doctor” and “Nurse,” knowing full well those mean a wide range of positions in an ever-changing field. And even they might say, “Home Care Nurse” like we would say “School Librarian.”

I understand your dismay at the WAY it was changed, but I’m ok with the nomenclature. And it’s not like it’s a law or anything. If you call yourself a Teacher Librarian I don’t think anyone will say boo about it.

Thanks,
Jim

By: Cathy Nelson

Cathy Nelson — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 01:46:27 +0000

This is what I love about throwing my thoughts out here-I get pushback on my own thinking, and get to see issues through the lens of others! Thanks Amy–I love your response.

By: Amy King

Amy King — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 01:28:39 +0000

Cathy,
Can I boldly suggest that instead of looking at it as a step backwards, perhaps it can be looked at as a baby step forward? I for one am happy not to be the “specialist of media” anymore! That title never felt right to me. I spent many years proudly teaching in an elementary classroom and School Librarian is closer to the title I use, Teacher Librarian. Unlike Michael, I do not feel I abandoned teaching to become a librarian, but rather enhanced my teaching practices by increased the resources of my physical classroom and the number of teachers and learners I interact with each day. I am frustrated when someone says to me “Do you still teach?” Not out of my insecurity, but in the obvious lack of knowledge the person has about this wonderful profession. I have a passion to promote our library’s services and not including “teacher” in our name seems to dismiss some of our profession’s global goals. So I remain positive and look at our new title as a baby step in the right direction. Amy ~Teacher Librarian

By: Cathy Nelson

Cathy Nelson — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:50:11 +0000

Jeanne wow, what a testimony. Congrats on serving on some national committees. And I agree, looking at questions posed on the list (LM_NET and our very own scasl list) often make me grit my teeth, but Im also glad there is an appropriate forum for fellow librarians to ask questions no matter how insignificant to some. So glad you stopped by today.

By: Jeanne Swedo

Jeanne Swedo — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:38:52 +0000

Cathy: I see both points. However, I feel that what Michael said above is entirely valid. Here in California, it doesn’t seem to matter what they call “us librarians” because no matter the title, the position is not valued enough to keep them in the libraries teaching. I know some TLs like that title because it informs those in the know that they have the MLIS and the credential. I am one year short of my credential. The title under which I was hired in my current position is LMS. In private school, we do not need the credential, and I dropped out of my student teaching to take this job. I teach just as much or more than a lot of my colleagues. I professionally develop myself and am on national committees. Sometimes I wonder if the title issue isn’t something that causes negative views within in our ranks – judging our own colleagues based on number of degrees. I agree that the AASL needs to focus on helping us develop curriculum & assessment. I think a lot of “school librarians” need help with that. I see some of the questions on our listservs from TLs who do not seem to know things I consider basic and wonder what is going on out there. California now has draft library standards which I believe will be put into place by the Dept of Ed this year. The librarians, however, have be proactive – not reactive and combine the everchanging hi-tech with the high touch foundational philosophies of librarianship and run excellent programs. I won’t get more personal than that, but I could. Outreach only works when someone takes your outstretched hand and joins in the process.
Interesting topic, Cathy. Onward!!

By: Cathy Nelson

Cathy Nelson — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:35:27 +0000

Chad, when think about other professions though, like nurses, doctors, lawyers, etc. those professions have certainly changed, yet their title has not. So in a sense I get what Michael is saying. My concern is the (imho) rashness with which it seems this decision was made. I don’t think the executive board who voted really had a sense of what members really thought about it. Was it a fair representation? I dare say no. Thanks for adding your thoughts.

By: Chad Lehman

Chad Lehman — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:28:16 +0000

Cathy, I’m writing a post about this as I type this. I’m not happy with the decision. Michael mentioned the idea that the term has lasted for centuries. That’s true, but we are not doing the same job. Our job is so much more than just “librarian.” If we were doing the same thing as librarians centuries ago, fine, keep it. We are not – and the title can change.

By: Michael Giller

Michael Giller — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:47:58 +0000

You rock Cathy! I really like your analysis of all of this. Is it true there was little dust (discussion) kicked up? I would think with all of the discussion at our state-level it would be a shouting match. Maybe we should have been there to throw chairs at each other and scream across the room. Next time!