Inna Levine

CO-Collaboration Strategies

Subramaniam, M., Ahn, J., Waugh, A., Taylor, N. G., Druin, A., Fleischmann, K. R., & Walsh, G. (2013). Crosswalk between the "framework for K-12 science education" and "standards for the 21st-century learner": School librarians as the crucial link.School Library Research, 16 Retrieved from http://dialog.proquest.com/professional/docview/1509082301?accountid=143640

Within the school library community, there have been persuasive calls for school librarians to contribute to science learning. The article presents a conceptual framework that links national standards of science education ("Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas,") to core elements embedded in "AASL's Standards for the 21st-Century Learner", the standards that guide the teaching and learning of multiple literacies for which librarians are responsible in schools. Based on this conceptual framework, the authors of the article highlight how four middle school librarians in a large school district in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States enact and expand their five roles--information specialist, instructional partner, teacher, program administrator, and leader--while they participate in Sci-Dentity, a science-infused after-school program. They observed clear links between skills, dispositions, and responsibilities from the "Standards." taught and facilitated by these school librarians, to principles in the Framework. The authors contend that the learning of the Standards is crucial to creating and sustaining science-learning environments as envisioned in the "Framework" and argue that school librarians' role in science learning is more vital than it has ever been.

Mindfulness in the Library

Goodman, Jana

CA

Moniz,R. & Eshleman,J. (2016) The Mindful Librarian: Connecting the Practice of Mindfulness to Librarianship. New York: Chandos Publishing.

Summary:

This book is an excellent discussion and explanation of the importance of including Mindfulness practices in the library.  Mindfulness is not only for patrons but also for the Library Professional.  As librarians are advocates for their clients, and often on the forefront of controversial issues, along with facing numerous threats to their budgets, Mindfulness can play a key role in stress reduction.  Along with stress reduction comes greater perspective and clarity about priorities.  Also many of these techniques explained in the book are useful for relationships with co-workers and patrons.

Evaluation:

I am currently using Mindfulness in my library with each of my classes and it takes just one minute to incorporate.  I see and physically experience more productive students.  The students are settled and present and ready to work in their brief library time and I centered and ready to focus on only this one class, on what we are doing.  I find my interactions with students to be more rewarding and meaningful.  I feel less frazzled and more successful.  I highly recommend it!