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Role of the librarian clarified.

Library advocacy. I am honored to join you tonight to celebrate ten outstanding librarians and the thousands more that you represent. This award is truly significant because the nominations received from across the country show that libraries continue to play a critical role in our democracy, and that librarians are once-again on the front lines of a battle that will shape the future of our country. It is a battle that is fought out of view and the heroes are people who didn't seek a career of confrontation, but who live lives of principle and meaning - understanding that the gift of knowledge is the greatest gift we can give to each other.

I think there is also a perception that if we don't have the paper books then we don't need the library or the librarians in schools. I think it's flawed logic. Information is changing its format; yes, it's online, it's an ebook, it's a book you can download onto an iPad, but it's still information. Kids need to know how to evaluate it even more so now than before because there is much more of it. Kids need to be able to determine whether it is useful or valid information. Librarians take the lead in helping educate students through the information jungle, and with even more sources and formats, the role of the librarian becomes even more critical. So even though paper books are becoming less prominent, the skills needed are even more advanced than what was needed before. School librarians are critical to helping students navigate through this information explosion.

While Plagiarism can be intentional, it is more often caused by misunderstanding.  Avoiding it means understanding the role of intellectual property and what makes plagiarism wrong.  This video teaches:

Why giving credit to others is necessary
A definition of plagiarism
Steps to avoiding plagiarism
Types of ideas and media that can be plagiarized

Right now is a time of change, and as such, a great opportunity for teacher librarians to take a leadership role in their schools.

Fantastic read aloud chapter books-- starring Mighty Girls...

Carl A. Harvey II has some thoughts on that. He's a nationally recognized school librarian and the 2011-12 AASL President. A few years ago he created a handout to describe for administrators the varied roles of the 21st century school librarian.