Randi Solomon

With schools facing cuts all across Ontario, and the current health crisis at our doorstep, what will happen in the near future to our schools’ libraries? Teachers and students know the benefits of a vibrant Library Commons Centre – an essential place to explore, collaborate, create and think in a supportive and caring environment. School boards, though, may already be considering how they will make cuts work in their schools, and sadly, the role of the Teacher-Librarian could be jeopardized in the face of these financial restraints.

It is crucial that a school’s community is keenly aware of the activities and programs taking place everyday for students at their library. So while the Ontario School Library Association advocates to the Ontario government for teacher-librarians across Ontario, here are some ways of advocating in the space you have:

Publish articles to your school newsletter.

Submit articles with photos to the school newsletter that is e-circulated monthly to families. Include the Library Commons’ special events and monthly celebrations. Say thank you to students who volunteered their time to planning, leading, or contributing to monthly events. Add PSA style information about learning, reading, parenting, mental health, nutrition or any other topic the parent community would find useful and helpful. 

Host events for elementary school students.

Host events for your elementary feeder schools. Offer to host a slam poetry competition or have an art fair or host a coffee house. Collaborate with staff to display art and highlight other programs around the school. Run contests, and have lots of giveaways with your library logo and website printed on some swag (book marks, pencils, phone covers, etc.). Have a simple make-and-take craft for students to do while they are there.

Start a guest speaker series for parents.

Invite personal coaches, mental health professionals, women advocates, nutrition and health experts, social media experts, anti-bullying advocates, writers and educators to speak on various topics of interest for your community. Get the word out on social media, direct emails, and monthly bulletins about this value-added service. Schedule a block of time for registration and refreshment to have a chance to show parents and families all the good things going on at the library. 

Write a weekly blog.

Blog/brag about the offerings and learning that took place that week in the library. Celebrate successes and include many photos. Circulate your blog link to parent emails, administration and superintendents.

Keep a professional portfolio.

Throughout the school year, maintain a digital portfolio that can be shared annually with administrators and superintendents that demonstrates a correlation between the LC (its programs and role of the TL) and student well being and success. This means you’ll want a devoted hard drive for all the pictures you’ll be taking, as there will be a lot, and you’ll need lots of storage space. Using Google Slides, Prezi, Canva, or any easy slide building program, just keep on adding what wonderful learning took place in the library. Even take pictures of your monthly calendar to show the level of buzz and activity that swirls around the Library-Commons!