Standard: Designing Learning Environments to Support Participatory Learning
Theme: Designing for Student Well Being in the LLC
Growth Phase: Established
Growth Indicator: LLC works to build a culture of equity and inclusiveness in learning opportunities, facilities.
Educator and author Dr. Dupuis (I Am Not a Number) relates the background and story leading to publication of her acclaimed book. Dupuis emphasises that school libraries “have an important role to play in supporting acts of reconciliation and sharing knowledge as they walk shoulder to shoulder with Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples to make positive change at school levels” and offers multiple suggestions and strategies for implementation of acts of reconciliation lead through the LLC.
Dupuis, J.K. (2019, May 21). What happens when you create a culture of respect, trust, and innovation in school library spaces? Canadian School Libraries Journal 3 (2). Retrieved from https://journal.canadianschoollibraries.ca/what-happens-when-you-create-a-culture-of-respect-trust-and-innovation-in-school-library-spaces/
This secondary LLC in Ontario implements a philosophy that includes “great technology, student wellness, and digital making”. Included are photos and a video featuring the LLC as a learning center and a wellness center.
Stephen Leacock Collegiate Institute. (2020). Library Learning Commons. Retrieved from https://stephenleacockci.ca/library-learning-commons/
A middle school Ontario teacher-librarian is inspired to initiate an inquiry project to establish a diversity audit of the collection in her school starting with fiction books 2017-2019. This slideshare introduces the project and includes data graphs, conclusions, and resources.
Duval, T. (2020). Middle School Fiction Collection 2017-2019 Titles Diversity Audit [Slideshare]. Retrieved from https://www.canva.com/design/DAEDZ7_rQ9Y/VRC8288Xf29soX1EtBxoMw/view?utm_content=DAEDZ7_rQ9Y&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink#1
An Ontario teacher-librarian shares a curation of equity resources using a content curation platform (Wakelet). Includes links to a wealth of timely articles, video presentations, podcasts, resources, books for children and adults, and other curated lists.
Giffin, J. (2020). Equity Journey . https://wakelet.com/wake/4d5fc1c2-e0bf-4803-b2da-1635cc7c1a17
In this paper the Ontario teacher-librarian conducts relatively unchartered research around student involvement in the purchase of library books. Method, references and survey responses should encourage other school library practitioners to replicate and add to this area of research.
Maliszewski, D. (2020). Toward an Understanding of the Impact of Youth Involvement in Purchasing Resources for the School Library Learning Commons and Issues of Equity in Participant Selection. Paper presented at the Treasure Mountain Canada 6 Symposium, Toronto, Canada. Retrieved from https://researcharchive.canadianschoollibraries.ca/2020/08/10/toward-an-understanding-of-the-impact-of-youth-involvement-in-purchasing-resource
This paper outlines the rationale, learning experiences and resources developed in an Ontario school library research quest to engage students in critical thinking and reflection regarding cultural relevance. In particular, the author outlines experiences created for developing critically conscious citizens focusing on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action.
Khokhar, R. (2020). Culturally Relevant and Responsive Pedagogy in a Racially Homogenous School. Paper presented at the Treasure Mountain Canada 6 Symposium, Toronto, Canada. Retrieved from https://researcharchive.canadianschoollibraries.ca/2020/08/10/culturally-relevant-and-responsive-pedagogy-in-a-racially-homogenous-school/
There is much to learn and discuss from this virtual “summer camp” presentation by two Ontario teacher-librarians for ECOO where they pose the timely question: “How might we leverage the VLLC to support our school communities in the 2020 return to school?” The presenters share a number of key questions to discuss and consider such as the VLLC purpose, goals, learner interaction, intentional curation of content, equitable practices, culturally responsive pedagogy and much more including virtual maker education. School VLLC examples, resources, articles and recommended digital tools included.
Brown, J. & Lyons, B. (2020). Connecting to Learning: The Virtual School Library Learning Commons. Retrieved from https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1pW7rD7137BtEUG-DWW55inoSWSu8BVoApSLwu7KRVBo/present?slide=id.p1
The Coordinator for Libraries and Information Services in SD38 Richmond, British Columbia (BC), defines and outlines processes and steps inherent to a diversity audit of the LLC. Includes the link to a BC Teacher-librarian Association (BCTLA) webinar on the topic.
Rubio, R. (March 3, 2021). Diversity Audits in Library Learning Commons: Equity in Action. Canadian School Libraries Journal 5(1). Retrieved from https://journal.canadianschoollibraries.ca/diversity-audits-in-library-learning-commons-equity-in-action/
This inspiring photo gallery from the American Library Association (ALA) consists of “a selection of photographs from around the world, which feature library projects and programs that best demonstrate this year’s [2020] ALA theme: the Value of Libraries in Promoting Social Justice and Inclusion”. The chosen project selections are replicable or adaptable in many instances to SLLC practice. Canada is represented by the University of Victoria, British Columbia Transgender Archives.
International Connections Committee at American Library Association (ALA) International Relations Round Table (IRRT). (2020). Best Practices from World Libraries Photo Gallery 2020 Theme: Social Justice and Inclusion. Retrieved from https://sites.google.com/view/icc-programs/2020-photo-gallery
So Much More Than a Safe Space: Student Well-Being in the School Library
In this article Brooks Kirkland, a national SLLC expert and leader, Chair of Canadian School Libraries (CSL) and co-editor of CSL Journal, addresses student well-being in the SLLC focusing on the critical need to expand our understanding of how to support the well-being of all students in an intentional and wholistic way. As she explores the issues and new ways of thinking about student well-being, you will be inspired by the many associated projects from Canada’s school libraries included. As well as a key reference list, the CSL resource Culturally Relevant And Responsive School Library Learning Commons and new Leading Learning theme in the “Designing Learning Environments to Support Participatory Learning”standard – “Designing for Student Well Being in the LLC” are highlighted.
Brooks Kirkland, A. (2021, May 12). So Much More Than a Safe Space: Student Well-Being in the School Library. Canadian School Libraries Journal 5(2). Retrieved from https://journal.canadianschoollibraries.ca/so-much-more-than-a-safe-space/
The Chair of Canadian School Libraries (CSL) and co-editor of CSL Journal challenges teacher-librarians to examine practices and routines, particularly post-pandemic, through a “dragon” metaphor. Responses from a teacher-librarian questionnaire illuminate this timely and important article focusing on equity and inclusion – making the library a welcoming place, engaging readers and fostering the habit of lifelong reading, supporting the curriculum and learning, protecting privacy, and supporting student well-being.
Brooks Kirkland, A. (2022, March 1). Taming the Library Dragon: Mission, Ethics, and Library Routines. Canadian School Libraries Journal 6 (1). Retrieved from https://journal.canadianschoollibraries.ca/taming-the-library-dragon-mission-ethics-and-library-routines/
Beaudry is an information specialist/teacher-librarian in British Columbia who coordinates the Teacher Librarian Diploma and Certificate Program at UBC (2020), represents Canadian School Libraries (CS) on the Board of Directors and chairs the Canadian Federation of Library Associations / Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliothèques (CFLA-FCAB) Intellectual Freedom Committee, representing Canadian School Libraries. In this blog post originally published on the Centre for Free Expression Blog, Beaudry discusses the challenges educators face in presenting multiple perspectives when discussing “widely debated and currently controversial” issues. Includes American and Canadian examples.
Beaudry, R. (2021, November 8). When politics trumps teachers’ professional judgment, students and society lose [Blog post]. Canadian School Libraries Journal 5 (3). Retrieved from https://journal.canadianschoollibraries.ca/when-politics-trumps-teachers-professional-judgment-students-and-society-lose/
The Manitoba School Library Association (MSLA) home page issues the following statement in conjunction with The Manitoba Library Association (MLA) in light of the recent active harassment of public school boards and public library boards in Manitoba. Links to resources and poster on collection diversity, intellectual freedom, and book challenge help.
Manitoba School Library Association (MSLA). (2023). Home Page. Retrieved from https://www.manitobaschoollibraries.ca/
The Manitoba School Library Association (MSLA) has published their most recent version of the MSLA “Toolkit for Diverse Collection Development and Intellectual Freedom in Manitoba Schools.”. Although bringing a Manitoba context to other key resources cited and provides valuable guidelines and examples for LLCs across the county to use to help manage book reconsideration requests in a fair and transparent manner.
Manitoba School Library Association (MSLA). (2023). Toolkit for Diverse Collection Development and Intellectual Freedom in Manitoba Schools. Retrieved from https://www.manitobaschoollibraries.ca/_files/ugd/1b9bb7_9086f39ff43d47a89b68a55bf3711cf1.pdf