Interview with a Librarian - Michal Hope Brandon

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Inquire

Yesterday I visited Muller Road Middle School. There I shadowed school librarian Michal Hope Brandon. Michal Hope has taught at all three levels. She has more than a decade of library experience. During my visit we discussed the American Association of School Librarians shared foundation Inquire. Read on to hear her thoughts on this shared foundation and my reflections. 

"Inquiry is built into research." - Michal Hope Brandon

Q: What are some examples of the ways in which you are implementing these competencies in your library program?

A: "I teach 6th grade classes how to research. We discuss research, plagiarism, and citing. All of our 6th grade students have to write a persuasive essay. So I work with English classes to research opposing viewpoints. I share with them different databases such as the Gale Opposing Viewpoints database. We will work through the research process to help the students prepare to write their essays. I modify based on ability levels."

Q: What are some of the resources in your library program that you are using to implement these competencies?

A: "We have a lot of nonfiction books. We have websites for books, databases primarily through SC Discus (the state library). Our library is not fully funded so we don't buy many subscriptions for our school."

As someone who works in her district, I can verify this statement. Our district has not funded libraries in the general fund for years. For this reason, many libraries within our district utilize state resources, free websites, and the county library. Libraries are like an interconnected system. Find out what is available to you and share that with your patrons. If you don't have the budget to buy subscriptions get familiar with the resources at your local library.

Q: Do any of the competencies that you are implementing include collaboration with classroom teachers?  If so, please provide examples.

A: "As I mentioned earlier, I work with all class levels on inquiry via research topic in English classes. I'd love to collaborate with the other subject areas. Years ago, I had several partnerships with teachers in other departments but now they have moved on. I'd love to work with the social studies department. That's my favorite subject, but the teachers have to collaborate with me."

Reflecting on her comments, I recognize the struggle that most school librarians experience. We want to teach inquiry. Our research standards could easily support the core curriculum but we have to create a collaborative relationship with teachers to teach their classes. They have to see value in what we do. I try to offer my expertise and services as a favor to them. More teachers signed up for library lessons with me when they don't have to supervise their class. It is not ideal but it works. Ideally, I'd love for the teachers to receive the information I'm sharing with students so that the learning can continue. However, it gets students in the library and it provides me a time to conference with teachers briefly. More often than not this leads to a continued partnership and future collaborative project. If you are struggling to get classes into your library, give this idea a try.

Q: What are some of the challenges that you face when trying to implement these competencies?

A: "The major hinderance to inquiry is getting teachers to come in to the library and using the resources. Also, time. Time is a major constraint. No one has time for the library."

Time continues to be a challenge for most librarians. Like all educators, we are strained for time. However, show teachers that working with you will save them time in the long run and they likely work with you.