SLA's FutureReady365

If you are not already aware of SLA's FutureReady365 blog, check it out. http://futureready365.sla.org/
I'm bouncing in my chair at Internet Librarian 2011 right now, listening to Cindy Romaine--current SLA President--and Meryl Cole talk about the project. 365 in the name = a blog post a day related to being "future ready." I can't wait to start reading through the posts. Sounds like a lot of their thinking and dreams parallel a lot of MNFLI's thinking and dreams. I like seeing that. I like that they balance between being smart professionals and being playful and personal in their blog. I'm also embarrassed I wasn't aware of this project until 47 minutes ago.
Here's an excerpt from their about page to get your interest piqued:

What is Future Ready?

• It’s an attitude of being more adaptable, flexible, and confident in utilizing the skills of the information & knowledge professional.
• It’s a strategic shift toward being more effective at aligning with emerging and robust opportunities in the information industry and beyond.
• It’s a focus on preparing ourselves for emerging opportunities in the information industry through:
  • Collaboration to accelerate the availability of useful information
  • An adaptable skill set that anticipates and responds to the evolving marketplace
  • Alignment with the language and values of the community you serve
  • Building a community that connects stakeholders in mutually beneficial relationships

In sunny LA, librarians are not "teachers." How grandiose.

Whilst relaxing over the Memorial Day weekend, I saw this article come through the blogosphere: "L.A. School District Tells Librarians: You're Not Teachers." Available at http://n.pr/m1UW7A

After seeing that, I was no longer relaxed. Thank goodness for BBQ and beer and mosquitoes to get me back in the mood of the weekend. But I digress.

Hoo boy, this librarian/media-specialist-as-superfluous-employee trend had better stop before it begins or else the US may end up trending toward this. As usual, all librarians need to step up the marketing and explain or demonstrate to their colleagues and employers why they are indeed teachers. A lot of times what we teach is off the standardized curricular map. There is probably not a single one of us librarian/public servants that wouldn't consider ourselves teachers, be it of reading, critical thinking, resume writing, navigating the Internet, navigating to the bathroom, job searching, information finding, emailing, current events, blogging, source evaluation, spelling, culture, history, research strategies, web design, oral and written communication, globalization, computer software, healthcare, taxes, self-reflection, community involvement and civic organizations, "Netiquette," customs, English and other languages, stewardship, plagiarism, creativity, and trust.

That last sentence: It was long. And I could've gone on. But I think the point was mildly made that librarians do teach--maybe just not to the tests and curricular standards.

As we move forward in our futurist planning, we need to consider:

• How does one define what it means to be a teacher--not just in theory but in the eyes of school districts, administrators, job descriptions, parents, community members, ????
• How do the skills and information librarians teach line up with state and national learning standards?
• Do librarians need to overtly "teach to the test"--that glorious trend in education right now--so that their educational contributions may be measured?
• Or is this a better model to consider? http://ntrls.org/downloads/EDCFeb2011.pdf

What do you, the reader, think about this? When did librarian and teacher become two disconnected entities in the eyes of some? Were they ever considered synonymous terms by those outside the field of librarianship? Why or why not? In your opinion, are librarians teachers?

Upcoming Series: Advocacy and the Academic Library

Advocacy and the Academic Library: An ACRL conversations series

This free series features interactive online talks with leading voices in advocating library value. Conversations in the series include:

Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011: “’Big Tent’ Advocacy: Shared Goals, Imagined Boundaries” - Andy Woodworth, Bordentown (N.J.) Library - 3 p.m. CST

Tuesday, March 22, 2011: “Digital Advocacy: Tools for Reasserting Library Value” – Kim Leeder and Memo Cordova, Boise State University - 1 p.m. CST

Monday, April 18, 2011: “Advocating from the Front Lines” – Maureen Sullivan, Maureen Sullivan Associates - noon CST

All sessions will be held in the iLinc online meeting software. Session access and an iLinc system check are available at http://tinyurl.com/acrl-advocacy.