1. Leading the Way Toward Innovation: Digital Age Librarians
Cathy Collins, PD Chair, MassCUE;
Library Media Specialist; Sharon Public Schools

2. Visions of the Library Old (but accepted) View: Silent
Repository of knowledge only found in items published (vetted) by a few
Emphasis on books
Librarian- Shh, control
Heavy Oak furniture
Media controlled by a few (Globe, Time)
Contemporary Conceptualizations:
Healthy hum of voices and activity
Materials where information can be found AND created.
Books plus so much more!
Library Media Specialist- Engager, Connector
Flexible, open spaces
Media generated by many including users

3. Visions of the Librarian/Media Specialist
-Still Fighting Stereotypes!
Fake News version:
*Shhh…
*Books only
*Isolated
More Truthful Version!
*Innovative, dedicated professionals
*More relevant than ever! Through knowledge of curriculum & instruction, technology, PD
*Leaders, “go to” people
*Connect library program to other school and district wide initiatives.
*As storytellers, natural public relations experts!

4. Library Spaces: from Traditional to Learning Commons Model and Beyond...
Value of Learning Commons Concept: lends itself to 21st century skills instruction; 4Cs and beyond...
Our Story: Before/After Photos
What We Did Right
Challenges: What We Learned Along the Way
Our Vision: Where We are Heading and How We Plan to Get There

5. Designing your space to meet student needs; grant writing; involving the entire school community

10. Innovative Library Spaces: from Traditional to Learning Commons Model and Beyond...
Value of Learning Commons Concept: lends itself to 21st century skills instruction; 4Cs and beyond...
Our Story: Before/After Photos
What We Did Right
Challenges: What We Learned Along the Way
Our Vision: Where We are Heading and How We Plan to Get There

12. School Libraries as Innovation Hubs/Idea Labs
Joyce Valenza: “Well into the 21st century, it is clear that the concept of modern teacher librarian practice is not clear. There is no textbook for what effective practice looks like in continually morphing information and communication landscapes.”
TED Talk: What to Expect from Libraries in the 21st Century
Changing Role of the School Librarian
Manifesto for 21st Century Librarians

13. Next Phases: Space Planning, Development
*Student-centered, student-driven
*Process over product: creativity at center of learning
*Informal learning environments
*Tie-in with Global Competence, STEAM focus: ex. HS STEAM certificate program, Sharon STEM Talks
*Maker Spaces including contemporary resources, learning tools

14. Next Phases: Roles of Library Media Specialists
Digital Literacy Team- Sharon’s model
Benefits:
*Expanded role allows for greater impact and collaboration across subject areas and disciplines; stronger alignment with school and district wide initiatives (ex. STEAM focus “School librarians as partners in STEM”
*Shifting the image to expand the role leads to increased impact on student learning
*Need for more “hands on deck” in the area of tech integration is met

15. Library Media Specialist: Roles/Responsibilities
Leading digital citizenship
Guiding digital content decisions
Coaching teachers in educational technology
Building new courses; workshop/staff PD, Sharin’ Innovation Day
Curating educational resources; increasingly digital...
Teaching beyond the library
Supporting 1:1 implementations
Serving on School/District Leadership Teams
Strategic Problem Solvers

16. Next Phases: Collection Development/Resources
Books and Magazines
Reference materials
MakerSpace Resources/Human Resources! (STEM Talks)
e-Resources (databases, state/shared collections)
Technology- iPads, laptops, ebooks (readers, Nooks)
Grant Writing (HUB Tech, Sharon Ed Foundation, PTSO, BookList)
Other

17. What can you share?
Virtual High School, World Challenge (real world, hands on research & learning), Student Mentors (teaching younger students about digital citizenship), yoga clubs, Tenacity Challenge, Poetry Out Loud
Programming: from Sharon STEM Talks, Global Competence Program, Books & Bagels, Poetry Slams, Game Clubs, Robotics, Girls Who Code, Boys Who Code, ADL, Makerspace Challenges in Library and out...
PD: Pod walks; Badging; Sharin’ Innovation Day

18. Makerspace Challenges

19. PD Badging

20. Q&A
We’ll write down questions and share out from here.