How we fell so far so fast. Canadas thinking…. or non-thinking Canada has excellent policy Canada has excellent policy Policy hasnt translated into practice.

How we fell How we fell

so far so far

so fastso fast

Canada’s thinking….Canada’s thinking….or non-thinkingor non-thinking

Canada has excellent policyCanada has excellent policy

Policy hasn’t translated into practicePolicy hasn’t translated into practice

Policy versus practicePolicy versus practice

Leader in developing guidelines and Leader in developing guidelines and standards for the school librarianstandards for the school librarian

Expectations are minimalExpectations are minimal

Basic qualifications are not requiredBasic qualifications are not required

In 1998, new ruling In 1998, new ruling

1 librarian for every 702 students1 librarian for every 702 students

Most elementary schools have only Most elementary schools have only 500 or less students500 or less students

9% of elementary schools and 4:5 of 9% of elementary schools and 4:5 of secondary schools are alloted a secondary schools are alloted a librarian teacherlibrarian teacher

Policy versus practicePolicy versus practice

Leadership to baby-sittingLeadership to baby-sitting

Librarians are called “teachers-in-Librarians are called “teachers-in-charge” … have no library expertisecharge” … have no library expertise

The term “teacher-librarian” is used The term “teacher-librarian” is used by any ‘body’ in the libraryby any ‘body’ in the library

Policy versus practicePolicy versus practice

Part time elementary teacher – librarian is Part time elementary teacher – librarian is one who…one who…

Dump and run Dump and run

Does prep time for the other teachersDoes prep time for the other teachers

About 80% of prep time in Delta BCAbout 80% of prep time in Delta BC

School librarian’s many hatsSchool librarian’s many hats

computer coordinatorcomputer coordinator

troubleshootertroubleshooter

gifted and talented teachergifted and talented teacher

principal designateprincipal designate

Clerical personClerical person

CollaborationCollaboration

CompetitionCompetitionMusic Music PEPEComputer labsComputer labsArtArt

Fight for fundsFight for funds

Policy versus practicePolicy versus practice

School Library ‘standards’ – Education of School Library ‘standards’ – Education of MinistryMinistry

11 provinces11 provinces

Therefore, there are 11 provincial Therefore, there are 11 provincial guidelinesguidelines

Education Ministry didn’t enforce the Education Ministry didn’t enforce the guidelinesguidelines

Policy versus practicePolicy versus practice

Policy was never implementedPolicy was never implemented

Decision making authority is diffuseDecision making authority is diffuse

Separate School board officials and Separate School board officials and

principals made all the decisionsprincipals made all the decisions

The irony --- other countries are The irony --- other countries are using the “Canadian model”using the “Canadian model”

drifting back to the 1960’sdrifting back to the 1960’s

Some library’s books are from 1970’s Some library’s books are from 1970’s backback

We have whining…We have whining…

but not advocacy.but not advocacy.

Our ministers are indifferent.Our ministers are indifferent.

Effect Effect

overflowoverflow

Canada’s universitiesCanada’s universities

DeclineDecline

University of British ColumbiaUniversity of British Columbia- Had 4 professorsHad 4 professors- Now – only 1Now – only 1

Alberta Alberta – had twohad two– now – only 1now – only 1

Canada’s universities – con’tCanada’s universities – con’t

Dalhousie Dalhousie – Went from 1 to 0 faculty positionsWent from 1 to 0 faculty positions

Victoria, Calgary, SasktchewanVictoria, Calgary, Sasktchewan– GoneGone

OntarioOntario– Had 8 tenured positions at four universitiesHad 8 tenured positions at four universities– Now – 0Now – 0– Instead have practitioner-led workshopsInstead have practitioner-led workshops– Canada’s national researches have been eliminatedCanada’s national researches have been eliminated

RecommendationsRecommendations

Canada’s Ministries of Canada’s Ministries of EducationEducation

RecommendationsRecommendations

Dedicate resources for the selection Dedicate resources for the selection of Canadian booksof Canadian books

Revise the role of the teacher-Revise the role of the teacher-librarian and mandate minimum librarian and mandate minimum qualificationsqualifications

Flexible SchedulingFlexible Scheduling

Recommendations – con’tRecommendations – con’t

Professional Competencies include:Professional Competencies include:

– Understands students and their social, Understands students and their social, emotional and intellectual needsemotional and intellectual needs

– Is flexible and positive in a time of Is flexible and positive in a time of continuing changecontinuing change

– Have the skills to act as a change agentHave the skills to act as a change agent

Recommendations – con’tRecommendations – con’t

Develop consistent and coordinated Develop consistent and coordinated approaches for their 11 provinces:approaches for their 11 provinces:

– fundingfunding

– ManagementManagement

– Recognition of school librarian’s Recognition of school librarian’s importance importance

Roch CarrierRoch Carrier

I saw places….I saw places…. They copy….They copy….

The kids who have books at home The kids who have books at home will make a copy of that book and will make a copy of that book and they will bring it to school. they will bring it to school.

It should not be in a country like It should not be in a country like CanadaCanada

Roch CarrierRoch Carrier

We are CanadiansWe are Canadians

We are rich.We are rich.

We should be rich enough to We should be rich enough to give kids that gift of reading.give kids that gift of reading.