I attended the AASL full day pre-conference program Reading and the Secondary School Library presented by Pam Burger. Among the highlights was Pam’s emphasis on the realization, “When you are teaching information literacy, you are also teaching reading skills.” She noted that kids read every day although much of what they read is not what some adults think they should be reading. Using Google or other search engines, text messaging, gaming, using MySpace and other frequent activities involve reading. One challenge is to get kids to realize that they enjoy reading.
Pam said that literacy involves reading, writing and speaking; the distinction often drawn to separate them is an artificial one. She added that development of the skills of reading and the joy of reading are intertwined, the school library bridges both. Motivation, competence and engagement work together; the development of one contributes to the development of the others.
About collaborating with teachers, Pam said library teachers can not collaborate with every classroom teacher. She suggested looking for the teachers who are risk takers and opinion makers. These are the teachers to seek for collaborations.
Overall, Pam presented a useful program well worth attending.
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