'Y' Library 3.0?

Responsibilities, Duties and Skills required

            Most importantly, the recent findings of Coiro’s research (2009), outlining the need for multi-literacy skilling, has alerted teacher librarians to the importance of introducing literacies (media, iconic and visual), to those who many incorrectly believe are already proficient with these skills.  Literacy skills need to be taught. Pathways through various programs need to be taught so time is saved and energies can then be used for creativity and development of new information. 

Moreover, teacher librarians should model as agents for change, embracing Web 2.0 & 3.0 technologies by vigilantly developing trademark WebPages suited to their users (Hamilton, September 13, 2009; Johnson, May 10, 2009). Boyd (2006) suggests strategically planning essential aspects of school library web page inclusions to promote communication between librarian/student/parent/and other interested stakeholders whilst linking curriculum supportive resources with responsible internet use agreements to provide ‘aesthetic’ programs that encourages ‘independent learning’ (p. 62). Many Web 2.0 & 3.0 tools incorporated into the compilation of libraries can address the above essential aspects. However, due to volume of tools, it is idiosyncratic for teacher librarians to decide which would best suit their curriculum to meet with National standards of ‘modelling and facilitating effective use for information retrieval’ (ISTE, 2008).

Not only does exposure to the myriad of Web 2.0 & 3.0 tools require teacher librarians to be beacons in visual/media teaching preparing students for changing futures; but also, to be dynamic managers because of changing leadership style emphasising design and visual literacies (Pink in ICMA, 2009). It should be assumed that ‘Collin’s Culture’ - the selection of dynamic individuals able to work within confines of set culture - is established (Collins in Steiner, 2009). Braced with tacit knowledge and resourcefulness, teacher librarians need to be:-

(1) Well trained in the use of changing technologies and willing to share resources 

(2) Inventive with design promoting services to attract users,

(3) Logical thought processors stepping access to relevant information,

(4) Vigilant with updating user-friendly web-pages.

Well designed mash-ups augment excellent Library 3.0 management, inculcating all of the above competencies of an exemplary library tool manager.

Why is good management so imperative? According to Wagner - co-director of the Change Leadership Group, Harvard University - the future "survival skill’s required’ are: ‘problem solving’; ‘collaboration’; ‘adaptability’; ‘initiative’; ‘communication’; ‘analysing’ and ‘imagination’ (SCIS, 2009). These skills can be extended with use of 3.0 tools (Hamilton, September 13, 2009). According to Johnson (September 17, 2009) Web these tools may aid in finding solutions to problems in developing countries. According to King (2009) –digital services library manager – archaic libraries are ‘out in the cold’ in promoting multi-literacy awareness.