Teacher librarians and information literacy in schools

This week, I have read an opinion article from the Canberra Times website (a newspaper based in ACT) titled, ‘Teacher Librarians crucial in info age’ by Holly Godfree, discussing about the educational issue of Teachers Librarians’ vital roles in enhancing information literacy amongst students.

 Holly argues that in today’s increasingly changing world, teacher librarians are vitally important, because they are the genuine experts and leaders in the critical and effective evaluation of online information and have developed the art empowering students to do it themselves. She believes that by having enough teacher librarians in our schools, it will highly result students developing the capability in critically assessing what they read, observe or hear. More importantly, she urges us to no longer regard teacher librarians as the ‘frowning, eye-glass-wearing “shusher”’ but rather, a 21^st century teacher librarian, who holds both recognised teaching and librarianship qualifications.

I truly advocate the necessary need for teacher librarians in our schools, because they play significant roles in assisting and empowering students to successfully and critically assess information, particularly online information. Without them, students won’t have the necessary skills to effectively locate, select, evaluate and share information throughout their schooling and beyond.

Bibliography reference

Godfree, H, 2012, ‘Teacher librarians crucial in info age,’ Canberra Times, http://www.canberratimes.com.au/opinion/teacher-librarians-crucial-in-info-age-20120903-25abs.html; viewed on 17^th September 2012.