"I think I like librarians more than teachers," Joel says.
I cringe. "I thought you love your teacher."
"I do. But I like what librarians do. Teachers want to know how fast you read. Librarians want to know what you want to read and why."
"That's not always true," I challenge.
"But most of the time it is. In library time, we don't have wrong answers. We don't even have wrong questions. She just makes suggestions to help us ask better questions."
"Oh," I say.
"If I want to answer a question, I can go to Google like a grown-up does. If I want to know the right answer, I can ask my teacher. But if I want to ask my own questions and find out how to find my own answers, I can go to the librarian."
I'm not sure how accurate his observations are. I know that his thoughts don't even come close to describing the role of librarians. Still, in an age where librarians are being cut from schools and replaced by reading and math specialists, I think my son has made a great argument for rethinking our priorities.
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That's because there's no standardized test on library.
ReplyDeleteExactly. So, we will be adding a new site-based bureaucrat in the form of a math coach who will specialize in data. Meanwhile, our schools are losing librarians.
DeleteI think I love your son.
ReplyDeleteMe, too. He's pretty awesome like that. ;)
DeleteThis makes me happy!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteCan your son come to our next school board meeting when they discuss cutting 12 full-time media specialist positions?
ReplyDeleteI wish I could.
DeleteHi, John. I am really enjoying your blog. As a community college librarian, I can say that if helping students ask better questions isn't what librarians do, it should be.
ReplyDeleteAs a teacher, may I say that if the kinds of things librarians do aren't happening in my classroom, I feel as though I'm not doing my job? I 100% support librarians. I just don't see those traits as existing in opposition to classroom learning.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you. I just see this perception being the result in an obsession with testing and fluency in the classroom.
Delete"If I want to answer a question, I can go to Google like a grown-up does. If I want to know the right answer, I can ask my teacher. But if I want to ask my own questions and find out how to find my own answers, I can go to the librarian."
ReplyDeleteThis quote really struck a chord with me. I think he has it right. I think too many teachers are focused on the right answer because of the inane testing culture we have let school become. I am a teacher, but I am passionate about helping kids ask their own questions and answers to what is important to them. I love reading all kinds of kids' books and being able to put the right book in a kid's hands.
Teachers and librarians can continue to work together for this goal.
Laurie Fowler
Librarians=keepers of the sacred knowledge...
ReplyDelete