Softly, softly: the library's role in staff professional development

• Kris Johnstone
• Curriculum Leadership

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22 June 2008Teacher librarians need to be at the forefront of curriculum change within their schools. They must be leaders in this change. In their role as information specialists they are well placed to facilitate the shift to a critical thinking, ICT and personal learning framework such as that required by the new Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS). How do they do this? One avenue is the running of staff professional development sessions. The topics need to be varied and broad; the focus must always be on teaching and learning. Engaged teachers who are confident in their own learning will more easily develop a learning culture and be more prepared to let go of a content-focused curriculum for one which is flexible and allows for student input. Through input comes engagement for both teachers and students and for teacher librarians.