Collaborating in the School Library 

 Interview Date 11/8/21: Focus Collaborate 

For insight into how a local middle school librarian was incorporating AASL Shared Foundation, Collaborate, I interviewed Media Specialist Leigh Jordan form A.R. Rucker Middle School.  When asked about some examples of the ways in which she was implementing competencies of collaboration within her library program, Ms. Jordan shared with me how she is currently working with teachers and students. This past week she has been working with the leadership class on a canned food drive for local residents.  She has collaborated with the teacher on an assignment incorporating technology. Students are put together in groups to work on a promotional video to encourage students to donate non-perishable items for those in need this holiday season. These videos are featured on the school news show which the media center produces. Jordan has students select how they would like to design their PSA.  Each option involves hand drawn work.  Students may use puppets they have drawn or sewn together or they may use images they have drawn on 8 ½ x11 paper.  Outcomes are paper slide shows like an old time cartoon or a theatrical puppet show.  Both incorporate audio recordings. Students select format, create scripts, collaborate with one another, design images, act, and film.  Students have found the project to be fun as they work together when one holds a puppet, one holds cue cards, and one films live. They  practice hard together as their assignment is live, no retakes!

Some of the resources Jordan uses to implement or assist with collaboration of this project were Google as it allows sharing so students could share pictures and go over and edit their scripts. Students could also look through her collection of everyone picture books to get ideas on how to use simple pictures and minimal words to get their points across as well as to reference drawing ideas. Students used her bulletin board paper to cover boxes and decorate them to hold collected cans that were dropped off in the media center.

While this project demonstrates collaboration with students and a teacher, Jordan engages in such activity with multiple teachers throughout the year.  She generally meets with teachers, reviews project rubrics and sees where she can fill a need. She ensures that students know what is expected of them.  At the conclusion of assignments she notes what went well and what might be good to do differently next time. 

Jordan has worked as a librarian for over 20 years and has developed amazing relationships with her peers and yet sometimes she can still hit some challenges when trying to incorporate collaboration. She mentioned that it is always challenging as she has to take time to explain to teachers the benefits of working together.  She often stops and checks in with teachers regarding expectations. Jordan did provide some great tips on collaboration.  The first is to create relationships with teachers as these often lead to collaboration. Second is to remember projects that work and offer them to other teachers.  Be specific as to how your lesson or project contributed to a unit or student understanding.  In addition Jordan talked of the importance of carrying on good programs/projects even as teachers leave.  Just because Mrs. Smith left it doesn't mean you can’t keep that awesome lesson plan or project going.  Meet the new guys and keep it running. Be a salesman for your advocacy and for the benefit of student learning.