Editorial
School Library Monthly/Volume XXVI, Number 9/May 2010
"Face Contact"
By Deborah D. Levitov
Recently I had a chance to visit a new public library where the reference librarian was a former school librarian. She was recounting her years in the school setting and how much she enjoyed the experience. She mentioned how the success of the school library is dependent on the personality of the school librarian. This has been a statement heard and read time and time again. It was also a perspective I personally heard repeated when I interviewed several school administrators in a recent study.
The power of the individual school librarian cannot be underestimated. One person can make a difference and personality is a key component of success.
Not long ago, I had the opportunity to hear a group of school administrators discussing their school library programs. They listed several characteristics of the school librarians which they associated with program success. One administrator stressed the significance of consistent, daily "face contact" by the school librarian with the principal. In addition, others listed important qualities exhibited by exemplary school librarians such as enduring curiosity, leadership, and a look to the future. They also saw successful school librarians as courageous, friendly, welcoming, relentless, focused on academic success for students, and having the ability to serve as catalysts.
These impressions carry a very important message that must be taken to heart: the voice of the school librarian is crucial and it must be a voice that shows authority, is positive, inspiring, and connected to the needs of the students, teachers, and administrators in the school. There are many resources and role models that can help school librarians acquire these traits. It is an exciting and challenging time to be a school librarian and it is imperative that more school librarians match the descriptors listed by these administrators. Responsibility for making this a reality lies not only with the individual school librarian, but with university preparation programs, district leadership, and professional associations.