Interview With a Librarian - AASL Include Competency

    

(Picture of JET Middle School Library)

    During an interview with Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton Middle School Librarian, Sarah O’Connell, I was able to gain a perspective on ways to implement components of the AASL National School Library Standards.  As I spoke with O’Connell (S. O’Connell, personal communication, October 13, 2020), she shared ways that she implements the Include competencies in her library program.  

    In order to broaden her students’ horizons, she takes time to discover their interests.  For example, if a student often selects sports books, she tries to suggest books with a variety of characters or sports topics.  She may suggest a book with sports figures with disabilities or about historical sports.  

(Image of book cover, STEM in Sports: Science)

    Providing a variety of books and resources that speak to a wide variety of viewpoints, backgrounds, characters, events, etc. is another way she promotes inclusion competencies.  She also uses a lot of digital resources and databases to find items to support student learning and introduce them to different thoughts and ideas.  She uses interviews, videos and documentaries, as well as, historical and primary sources.

    O’Connell stated that she has had several opportunities to work collaboratively with English Language Arts and Social Studies teachers.  Each year she works with a 7th grade Social Studies teacher on his World War II and Holocaust unit.  They work together to assist students as they research a variety of key people from the time period including work leaders on both sides and famous victims like Anne Frank.  She says that this always sparks a big discussion on why particular people and groups hold certain beliefs.  She has collaborated on units pertaining to perspective and point of view with ELA teachers.  As a way to further collaboration and interest, she creates book displays pertaining to what students are learning in their classes, such as Black History Month, National Autism Awareness Month, etc.

    Implementing the Include competencies can often be a challenge.  O’Connell expressed that it is sometimes difficult to get students to truly stop and think about something that doesn’t mesh with or goes against what they have been taught in the past.  

Sarah O’Connell creates an atmosphere that promotes inclusion.

References:

American Association of School Librarians. (2018). National school library standards for learners, school librarians, and school libraries. American Library Association.