Standards hold up flags!

There will be many of you who wonder why we need Standards for school libraries at a time when the school library seems to be in serious jeopardy.  But it is possible that our failure to clarify and codify our key understandings in the face of such enormous changes in information distribution has been part of our loss of place.  It may be that we are perceived as being out of synch with the New World, a curious relic of then, rather than a dynamic force for literacy and culture in the schools.

For those teacher-librarians who still made to feel important and useful in the midst of changing conditions, the Standards may be fabulous benchmarks.  The principal may read the Standards, not as something he might try to attain but rather as recognition that the right things have been done and must be sustained.

For teacher-librarians who have discovered that the school cannot sustain a meaningful library program, the Standards are bitter words that will not "make much of difference".  They are faced with practical political realities that mere words will not change.  That is why there is such an interest in the new Coalition movements taking shape in the country.  There is hope that concerted pressure by those who are affected by the school library will slowly come to change the hardened positions that have led to this serious situation. If the research and the Standards will not provide evidence of sincere concern, then we have to pause and seriously contemplate our future.

Why is it so hard to see the effects of our work!  Could it be that we have Standards for space and programs and collection development but neglected the fundamental element - the teacher-librarian.  I doubt that many administrators lamented the loss of program as much as the individual. When we consider cut-backs that affect the school library it is usually the position that suffers.  Without a head the body withers.

Where are the Standards for this professional who must deliver a program that few understand yet everyone will judge?  We know the "teacher" part but have somehow managed to pretend that the combined role is misunderstood and we are discovering - little valued.  We are expensive, strange, solitary creatures who claim to deliver vital programs that few Ministries' have endorsed.  The teacher-librarian is invisible in Education or Teaching Acts!  How can we claim Standards of service when our employers fail to define us?  How can we expect they will find out who we are when we have limited Standards of our own.  How can we hope for change when there is no one speaking our language in senior positions in Ministry or Department offices. We can't even agree to speak with one National voice!

We do not have Standards for "teacher-librarianship". We do have programs that are so varied as to be barely related from province to province. There are only three distinct "teacher-librarianship" programs operating in Canada's universities.  Most teacher-librarians have a selection of summer based courses that provide them with credentials recognized by contracts for salary but not necessarily for expertise.  Most of the individuals now acting as the "school librarian" did not chose that role. Can we expect these new Standards to be utilized or understood by well meaning individuals who share the title but not the training!

We have no real relationship to "librarianship".  The Library Schools have long remained silent on the school library and the teacher-librarian. We have failed to make a critical connection to the public through our colleagues in the public, college and university libraries.  We have little communication with the professional community that could give us huge dividends as we search for friends and supporters.

I was involved with the last Standards as a member of the executive of CSLA charged with their publication.  They did not have to address issues like the computer and the Internet.  Those tools did not exist, but the title reveals our concern at that time: "Resource Services.." not for school libraries but for the school media centre. That volume was produced in 1977!  27 years ago!  We dropped the ball for a new standards in the early 80's because the scene looked so fine and rosy.  Now we have to bridge all those arguments that pit the book against the computer.  We have to find ways to demonstrate that good school libraries can and do improve student achievement as all those many research findings reveal.

I view the production of new Standards as a serious thrust for renewed attention and understanding of our role in learning and in the schools.  We have the opportunity to use them to continually make the case for adequate quarters, quality collections and professional "teacher-librarians".  Standards are not worth anything until they are tested. The combined power of teacher-librarians and their friends across Canada is huge.  Seize the opportunity!  Use the Standards to hold up our flag!
 
 
 
 

Donald Hamilton