Rozeena Dossa

20316638
November 13, 2021
Teacher Librarian Part 1 
(Cont-997)

Advocating For School Library

Meeting with Principal to talk business, LIBRARY BUISNESS

Pre meeting with Principal

 Outline my goal and objectives
 Have in mind some key points of my teaching/library philosophy (for my admin to
understand me better)
 Have specific examples of what library environment will look like to be inviting and
inclusive for all school community members
 Specific examples and suggestions for collaborating with staff to strengthen relationship
(haycock pg.34)
 Finally suggest a plan for extra funding to support the library. (Great way to get social
with school community, meet families and students and encourage literacy at school and
home, all while generating funds for a great cause)

During meeting with Principal

Thank you, Principal John Doe, for taking the time to meet with me at the beginning of the
school year. I would like to take just a bit of your time today to discuss some important big ideas
and smalls ones too.

I know you have a lot on your plate as someone who over sees the overall well-being of school
community and success and that is why this meeting is so important. Academically speaking a
full-time librarian contributes to consistently better reading and writing skills for our learners,
how amazing is that? (Moira Ekdahl pg101& Haycock p.g34)

My goals are to have students and staff enjoy the library and feel like it’s another safe learning
space. My teaching and library philosophy has always been to build relationships, take time to
get to know students and staff. I believe if we take the time to talk to individuals during the
school day and before and after school, you are beginning to build meaningful relationships and
start to understand your learner. This helps shape lessons that are inclusive and diverse, helps
guide the librarian when picking resources that are special and specific for big ideas and core
competencies that have real life connections to the staff and students. Research suggest that
Libraries can make a difference in students’ self-esteem, confidence, independence, and
responsibility regarding their own learning (Haycock pg34). This is so important when
understanding your learner and providing space for individual identity to flourish and
differentiated learning to excel.
When an open inviting space transforms into another classroom for students one which they feel
safe, comfortable, and free to learn and explore many different aspects the library has to offer.
Furthermore, I am aware that prep coverage and free timetable is a stressful conversation for
many administrations as it is a balance to find the time and space to make it all work. A
suggestion I’d like to offer is, after staff and I have had time to see the collaboration schedules. I
would like to extend an offer to anyone who would like to meet due to missed collaboration or
need of extra collab to a “lunch and collaborate date” in the library. We could entice the
individuals to come collaborate or learn about new resources on specific topics with lunch
provided. This way, you can get teachers into the library space, collaborate, and eat (for free!)
all at the same time! Not mandatory but with the support from you (the principal) I think it
would go a long way for support and accessibility.

Finally, Mr. John Doe let’s talk about funding. A hot topic and I am not here today to ask you
what we’re doing with our budget and how to spend it. This is just another opportunity for me to
suggest an idea I had seen at other schools in my teacher library experience. Work with staff and
students to fundraise. Getting the whole school community excited and experts about literacy can
be challenging sometimes. Having book contests and book fairs could be just one way to raise
funds and awareness to library needs and overall excitement when it comes to free reading and
building literacy skills. I have seen schools who had a school wide contest – each student had to
get certain number of books each week, collect stickers and then there would be prizes. We could
start with that and see if there would be potential to add fundraising component (this idea only
works once you get to know your school community and might not be ideal)

Post Meeting with Principal

 Organize mentorship, as a lifelong learner I want to ensure I am getting up to date ideas
and resources for my library. (Moira Ekdahl pg.105)

 Briefly highlight some of the meeting with admin in a power point or pamphlet and have
ready to present at the next staff meeting. Having the whole school on the same page and
on the path to understanding the role of librarian is one way to start building exemplary
school libraries and open communication (Moira Ekdahl pg105)

 Set up an online sign-up sheet for staff to familiarize themselves with before signing up
for collab times that are outside school hours/ work hours. See if there is an interest

Resources

Ekdahl, M. (2017). Promises, promises? or restoration and renaissance? fifteen brutal years for
school libraries in British Columbia. International Association of School Librarianship. Selected
Papers from the ...Annual Conference, 94-107. Retrieved from https://www-proquest-
com.proxy.queensu.ca/scholarly-journals/promises-restoration-renaissance-fifteen-
brutal/docview/2034245158/se-2?accountid=6180

Haycock, K. (2003, 10). School libraries and student achievement. Teacher Librarian, 31, 34.
Retrieved from https://www-proquest-com.proxy.queensu.ca/magazines/school-libraries-student-
achievement/docview/224890944/se-2?accountid=6180
“Exemplary School Libraries in Ontario.” Klinger, D.A.; Lee, E.A.; Stephenson, G.; Deluca, C.;
Luu, K.; 2009