Tales Out of the School Library: Developing Professional Dispositions

(Paperback)

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This groundbreaking book about developing the professional dispositions of school librarians uses three fictionalized librarians to serve as authentic models addressing familiar topics and situations. Tales Out of the School Library: Developing Professional Dispositions is a book that empowers anyone working in the school library to redefine their practice to meet the needs of young learners today. It covers familiar, everyday topics of the most concern to practitionersassessment, literacy and reading, diversity, intellectual freedom, communication, collaboration, and more. But it is the approach that makes this book unique. Each chapter of Tales Out of the School Library begins with a story from one of three fictional, yet recognizably authentic library media specialistscomposites of real professionals, each with distinctive personalities, strengths, and challenges. These tales of elementary, middle, and high school librarians play out over the course of a school year, and serve as the focal point for discussions of essential aspects of teaching, communication, and leadership. Follow-up questions, an annotated bibliography, connections to AASL's Standards for the 21st-Century Learner, and discussion questions further add to the value of this innovative volume.

Reviews

The book can be used in workshops, seminars, informal group discussions, or private reflections by librarians to redefine their roles. For those school librarians or professional libraries wanting a companion volume to Standards for the 21st Century Learner this would be a welcome resource. Recommended. * Library Media Connection *
This book is not so much about whether current learners are digital natives or not, or part of the net generation, but rather answers the question, how should school librarians conduct themselves in their teaching, communicating, and leading roles in light of the AASL Standards for the 21st-Century Learner In addition, what factors make an exemplary school librarian who will not only inspire students, but also nurture needed dispositions in them The authors begin by introducing the theoretical framework of dispositions in the field of education. Then the fun begins. Readers are introduced to three fictional, yet very realistic school librarians in a series of thought-provoking vignettes that focus on instructional strategies, information literacy, assessment, literacy and reading, diversity, intellectual freedom, communication, advocacy, collaboration, resiliency, leadership, and professional ethics. Each chapter connects to the AASL standards and includes follow-up and discussion questions. All school librarians aiming to become reflective practitioners who model professional dispositions should read this unique book. * School Library Journal *

Author Bio

Gail Bush, PhD, is professor in the reading and language department, director of the Center for Teaching through Children's Books, and director of the School Library Program at National-Louis University in Chicago, IL. Jami L. Jones, PhD, is assistant professor in the Department of Library Science at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC.