Over the past few months, I have been reflecting on the future of libraries in international schools. Insights from discussions with many international school librarians from the Middle East, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Korea, Japan, and India reveal how the librarians’ roles are changing slowly. Every library is unique in its roles and functions. Each institution’s leadership team, along with board members, shape the library’s vision. Many schools have restructured their libraries, renaming them as iCommons, Knowledge Hubs, Learning Commons, or Library Media Centers. This shift has also transformed the librarian’s role, aligning it closely with the school’s specific needs, making it a distinctive position. At the present time, librarians in International primary schools continue to serve students through stories, information literacy skills and the use of some LLM tools. In Secondary Schools, librarians support information and media literacy, research skills, ethical use of Gen-AI tools, co-teaching EAL, being an Extended Essay Coordinator (IB), being an advisor to students, supporting the CAS Program, and some are involved in the Career Pathways Program (IB), and some are Tech Coordinators. However, the landscape will continue to change & evolve; librarians once again will evolve to take on new roles and learn new skills.
Here is a brief description of my observations and research from the past year.
The Future of Libraries:
A shift toward digital resources, innovative services, and evolving roles characterizes the future of libraries. Libraries are transitioning from housing primarily physical books to offering more digital resources (Akeroyd, 2001). They continue to focus on providing access to information, digital literacy education, and personalized services (Norman, 2012; Pedersen, 2016). They are also expected to serve as communities, fostering collaboration and knowledge creation (Wałek, 2018). The library of the future continues to emphasize service, support, and knowledge management, but the kind of services librarians will offer will change. Support will vary, and knowledge management will include various large language models and data analysis.
The key question is: how will this transformation unfold?
1. Spaces for Co-Creation and Innovation
Libraries, increasingly envisioned as knowledge hubs or iCommons, will be vibrant spaces where individuals and communities co-create content. They will become centres for entrepreneurship and change-making. By leveraging advanced technologies, libraries are embracing community-oriented services, fostering creativity, and driving transformative learning.
Example:
The iCommons at Stanford University fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration, offering open spaces and cutting-edge technologies for ideation, creation, and knowledge-sharing (Stanford Libraries, 2023).
In these spaces, librarians will act as facilitators, supporting patrons with resources and expertise to turn their ideas into impactful projects.
2. Supporting Research and Digital Literacy
Libraries will continue to serve as gateways to credible information, providing access to research databases, journals, and academic tools. Librarians will play a critical role in educating users on digital literacy, emphasizing the ethical use of information, including AI-generated content. By equipping users with these skills, libraries empower them to produce credible, well-researched work.
Example:
The British Library’s Business Centre supports entrepreneurs and researchers in building business plans and conducting market research (British Library, 2023).
3. The Role of Primary School Librarians
Primary school librarians will continue to play a vital role in fostering a love for stories and reading. Beyond this, focus on collection development will be crucial in helping students build and explore their identities—cultural identity, gender identity, social-emotional well-being, or critical thinking skills. These foundations will prepare young learners for a world dominated by technology.
For upper primary school students, the library will serve as a space to develop digital literacy skills. These students will begin to learn how to navigate the digital landscape ethically while exploring the key values of ethics, respect, open-mindedness, acceptance, and a growth mindset. Librarians will support them in developing these traits to empower them as responsible, thoughtful global citizens.
4. Integrating Technology for Innovation
Technology will transform libraries into innovation hubs, incorporating AI tools, data visualization software, and interactive storytelling platforms to promote problem-solving and creative thinking.
Example:
The Idea Box at Oak Park Public Library offers an experimental space for users to explore new technologies and techniques for creative projects (Oak Park Public Library, 2023).
5. Libraries as Entrepreneurship Incubators
Libraries can play a key role in fostering entrepreneurship by providing mentorship programs, access to funding opportunities, and hosting networking events. By partnering with local businesses and organizations, libraries can help users transform innovative ideas into actionable ventures.
Example:
The Toronto Public Library’s Entrepreneur in Residence program connects aspiring entrepreneurs with experts for business development guidance (Toronto Public Library, 2023).
6. Building Community and Driving Social Change
Libraries can function as community hubs where individuals from diverse backgrounds collaborate to drive social change. By hosting hackathons, think tanks, and community projects, libraries foster collective problem-solving and innovation. They also provide resources to address global challenges like climate change and social inequality.
Example:
Aarhus Public Libraries in Denmark host the Global Goals Lab, engaging communities in workshops to address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (Aarhus Public Libraries, 2023).
Conclusion
Libraries are evolving into multifaceted knowledge hubs representing the future of education, innovation, and social entrepreneurship. By fostering collaboration, embracing technology, and nurturing creative and entrepreneurial mindsets, libraries empower individuals to become changemakers. They bridge the gap between information and innovation, serving as vital academic and community development resources.
These spaces will be reimagined as Incubator Hubs, iCommons, or Knowledge Hubs—zones dedicated to creative thinking, collaborative learning, and innovative ventures. Services will range from grassroots media production to professional advice and educational programs supporting lifelong learning.
As libraries evolve, so too will the role of the librarian, who must adapt to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world by acquiring new skills and embracing their role as facilitators of transformative learning and innovation.
International IB Curriculum with diverse nationalities:
If your school serves a global nomadic community of children from different countries, then, for sure, your school management would have made the library the centre of the school’s academic program. International IB curriculum schools mainly use a multi-disciplinary approach, making it mandatory for the school to have a rich, dynamic library collection. The school’s senior management emphasizes that the library collection must include books, digital resources, and multimedia while ensuring that these materials are easily accessible to parents, teachers, and students. Not only should the resource library collections be high-quality, relevant, and engaging, but they should also have librarians who are well-informed about their school curriculum from a global perspective while being aware of the latest education trends and the changing reader’s tastes.
International IB Curriculum with an Indian Community:
A truly international school fosters intellectual and professional growth while ensuring that every citizen in the school is treated as a global citizen with respect and gratitude. When I started my journey, I began to learn and understand the needs of the international curriculum and why and how the library is the centre of an international curriculum. I soon realised that librarians are crucial in promoting literacy and encouraging lifelong learning through a rich and varied collection. An international curriculum with a large Indian community must balance Indian literature with international literature since a global/local connection is a big emphasis of the IB curriculum; UNESCO and the Indian curriculum too foster open-mindedness and inclusion.
How to manage sensitive issues in picture books?
Picture books are a child’s first introduction to complex topics such as diversity, family dynamics, death, and cultural differences. It is, therefore, essential for librarians to select materials that handle these subjects with care, accuracy, and empathy.
Parents often come in to browse and check out books from the library. One day, a parent walked up to me before the start of school, and she said, “My daughter brought this book home, and I wondered why you allowed her to check it out; she is only in grade 1, and this story talks about the grandparent dying?” My reply to the parent was that since her daughter picked up the book, it would be a perfect opportunity to first honour her voice and choice, and it would also be an ideal opportunity to discuss the life cycle of living things in the world. For example, every flower and every living animal die; where there is death, there is birth. Librarians, therefore, play a crucial role in identifying and curating these sensitive materials to ensure they contribute positively to a child’s development. Books that deal with death and grief are also prevalent, offering children ways to understand and cope with loss.
What I learned:
Sensitive issues in children’s picture books require careful handling due to their potential to evoke strong emotional responses or controversy. These topics can include subjects such as death, divorce, illness, cultural and racial diversity, gender identity, and socio-economic disparities. Some titles of books that deal with grief and death are Grief Is an Elephant by Tamara Ellis Smith, illustrated by Nancy Whitesides, Boo! When my sister died by Richa Jha, delicately deals about death; The Dead Bird by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Christian Robinson a powerful book about death and rituals. The sensitivity of these issues arises from their profound impact on children’s understanding of the world and their place within it. The responses are varied, depending on the culture and the family milieu they come from. These picture books give children the tools and vocabulary to process and understand complex emotions and realities without causing distress or confusion.
Common sensitive topics about different families in children’s literature:
In children’s literature, several sensitive topics are frequently addressed to help young readers navigate their emotions and experiences. Common topics like divorce, adoption, and non-traditional family structures are handled through well-crafted picture book stories. Sometimes Mama, Sometimes Papa by Nandini Nayar, illustrated by Upamanyu Bhattacharyya, is one such story, Two Homes by Claire Masure, and many more like these describe various types of family structures. I have had students talk about how cool it would be to have two houses like the story Sometimes Mama Sometimes Papa, although it may seem difficult to some children and exciting to others. Such stories become a great resource when discussing different types of families. Children begin to embrace various forms of families. Non-traditional family structure books include – We Belong Together: A Book About Adoption and Families by Todd Parr. A book that celebrates the diversity and joy of adoptive families. Ritu Weds Chandni by Ameya Narvankar, gives a glimpse into same-sex relationships.
What I learned:
Many children experience similar separations from their parents, and this book can help children comprehend, accept, and navigate their emotions. An open discussion of this book provides safety, normality, and a safe environment of trust and open communication. Stories like these evoke questions from different cultures, allowing families to discuss and explain their own family’s value systems to their children. Questions like: “Imagine a family with two dads. What activities do you think they might enjoy doing together?” OR “What do you think it’s like to have two mums in a family?” How might the experience of being adopted shape a person’s identity?” “How do Ritu and Chandni’s feelings for each other show that love is the same for everyone? Why is it important for everyone to have the right to marry the person they want as adults? These questions open the minds, create acceptance of various value systems and develop an empathetic understanding of our society. Question encourages children to see the universal nature of love, irrespective of gender, bias and hatred.
How do you handle culturally & racially diverse literature?
Cultural and racial diversity is a significant theme, aiming to foster inclusivity and respect for different backgrounds. Embracing and including titles of other races is important so that the students do not develop a mindset of Euro/American/ Caucasian superiority. Stories that delve into issues of disability and illness, both physical and mental, are explored to promote empathy and awareness. These days, gender identity is becoming prominent in the educational landscape. Since I come from an Indian mindset; I learn about gender identity and educated myself about it, creating a sense of unbiased opinion in my learning. Picture book stories support children in understanding and accepting diverse gender roles and identities. Along with selection, it is very necessary to have open discussions about these themes. Discussions with primary school students on questions like: “What steps can we take to ensure that everyone feels included and valued in our community? Especially children who might be differently abled than you? (For example, mentally and physically differently abled)”. “How can we celebrate and appreciate the unique qualities that each person brings to our group? (More in this article in the Hindu Newspaper)
What I learned:
Sensitive topics, including socioeconomic issues like poverty and homelessness, can be addressed with care, with the intent to raise awareness and encourage social responsibility. These problems are seen in all countries, whether they are first-world countries or not. Each topic requires careful story presentation to ensure it is accessible and appropriate for young readers while keeping one’s biases at bay. Picture books that describe poverty and homelessness can be discussed from the lens of all countries rather than only third-world countries. Bringing in UNESCO’s sustainable goals resources creates thinkers, who knows maybe one day, one of these students might find solutions to our world problems.
Importance of local cultural values:
For a holistic education approach, it is important that the library collection reflect diversity and house materials that reflect all cultures, languages, and ideas. It is pivotal to be sensitive while accurately and respectfully depicting different cultures, but how the books might be received by children from the same or other cultures is sometimes challenging. In my library, we have a few books on Islam Celebrations, describing the Islamic festivals and cultural habits. One student while browsing the collection – approached me with one of the books on Islam and said, “Ms Bhojwani, this book has inaccurate information and must be banned. He said, “This is not how we celebrate our festivals, and the names of the different prophets are not hierarchically correct.” Should I disqualify the book from the library collection? This led to a more significant discussion on the principles of Islam and the various sects within the Islam religion, and this book was one which had a different representatives since the Isam religion also has various sects & varied aspects of interpretation of Islam.
What I learned:
Open conversations and non-judgemental discussions lead to trust and respect, as well as an opportunity to evaluate and become reflective of one’s beliefs and values. I ensured I did not add my religious beliefs to the student. But, through a socrative style of questioning and discussion, the child could untie his thinking and share his understanding. The library is a place to have diverse viewpoints and thus encourage open & respectful conversations. This was possible because I learned that it is important for libraries to provide a wide variety of information. When I struggle with sensitive issues, I meet with the school counsellor or the academic coordinator to help me scaffold and untie my doubts and help facilitate my thinking.
How to handle diverse opinions and beliefs?
I once had a parent who insisted I withdraw all fairy tales from the collection because stories like Red Riding Hood created fear, Hansel and Gretel brought about feelings of animosity towards stepmother Cinderella, who did not have the courage to stand up for her rights, and so on and so forth. These popular stories have been carried out for centuries and have their place in the collection. It was important for me to explain the importance of these classic stories as literature and as a way to compare and contrast the present with the past. Use these classics to recreate stories that would be relevant in the present. It also good to remind children that these stories were earlier written for adults and not for children.
What I learned:
Sometimes, it is important to educate parents and children that everyone views the world differently, and a book is a medium for expressing the writer’s thoughts. Not everyone has to agree with their views, but it is important to have empathy and understand their feelings and thoughts from the writer’s perspective. After all, diverse thoughts and views lead to diverse cultures, and we must learn to respect everyone’s viewpoint.A reconsideration policy form (Details from the ALA is here) must be created, not precisely like the ALA but a revised version that meets the needs of your school. This helps provide fact-based evidence of creating open communication between parents and the education institute.
Indian diversity and values:
Our Indian Constitution believes in preserving diversity and promoting unity in diversity. In keeping with this ideology, it is essential that we share stories written by different ethnic authors with our students, as well as picture books that depict characteristics of different lifestyles. For example, stories like Paati’s Rasam by Janaki Sabesh & Dhwani Sabesh portray a relationship between a grandmother and a child in South India, Bumoni’s Banana Trees by Mita Bordoloi gives you a glimpse into Bumoni’s big backyard, outside the Kaziranga National Park, in North-East of India. We are the Dancing Forest by Raj Shekhar, illustrated by Venkat Shyam, inspired by an Adivasi song from Telangana and celebrating Gond’s art style.
What I learned:
Librarians must be vigilant about avoiding materials that perpetuate stereotypes or cultural inaccuracies, striving instead to build a collection that celebrates diversity and inclusivity. In a school environment, we must ensure that minds are exposed to new ideas and that diversity is appreciated. Culturally sensitive collections can help foster a sense of belonging among students, allowing them to see their own experiences reflected in the books they read. Furthermore, exposing students to different cultures through literature can promote empathy, understanding, and global awareness. One of the core characteristics of librarians is to expose students to a variety of cultural beliefs through folklore. Truly, emphasizing that books act as windows, mirrors and sliding doors.
Matured content or controversial literature:
Recently, Colleen Hoover’s books have become controversial in Indian Schools. Should we include them or not? I do have some mature content like the Twilight series and Colleen Hoover’s books, in my library collection; the signage next to these books indicates that they are for mature readers (suggesting they may have sensual content and graphic violence) These books also reflect real-life scenarios in the western world and universal themes that resonate with mature readers. Such stories can offer valuable insights into various aspects of life, relationships, and personal growth for children above the ages of 14 and 17 years. (Check out Readers’s Warehouse for understanding ratings)It all depends on the nature of your school’s values and mission. A conservative school value system may not encourage such literature, and as a librarian, you must respect it because the parents send their students to a specific school, knowing the vision and mission of the school. Some schools have questioned books by Sidney Sheldon. I believe his books show intricate character development and suspenseful storytelling. He often writes thrillers and mysteries that delve into the themes of power, ambition, betrayal, and revenge. His novels are fast-paced narratives with unexpected twists, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. Sheldon’s protagonists are usually strong, complex women who face significant challenges and adversaries, and his books often explore the darker aspects of human nature and society. The stories are set in glamorous, high-stakes environments, such as international business, politics, and the entertainment industry, adding an element of intrigue and sophistication.
What I learned:
It is crucial to balance the inclusion of such content with cultural sensitivity and appropriateness, ensuring that the library remains a resourceful and respectful space for all readers. I believe the school library caters to our teaching faculty and the parent adult community. Therefore, these books may be housed in the adult or high school collection. These novels entertain and offer insights into human behaviour and societal dynamics, making them appealing to a wide range of readers, including high school students. Every librarian must develop clear guidelines for collection development policies that provide criteria for selection materials and guidelines for sensitive issues. These policies are transparent and framed with input from administrators, curriculum coordinators, teachers, and parents. Effective communication is key to addressing parent’s concerns and fostering an understanding of the librarian’s role in promoting a balanced and inclusive collection.
Balancing the library collection, curriculum needs, and mission of the school and supporting the needs of the students and the community can be challenging and rewarding.
In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, the role of librarians has transcended the traditional boundaries of book management and information retrieval. These professionals are poised to become indispensable assets in the quest to empower students and enhance the overall academic experience.
Librarians as Multiskilled Individuals:
Librarians must be recognized as individuals with a diverse range of skills, ready to evolve and grow alongside the changing needs of schools. Beyond their expertise in managing library resources, they can:
1. Support Research Projects:
Librarians can guide students and teachers through complex research projects, providing valuable insights into information sources, data analysis, and effective research methodologies and working as partners in Students’ Research Projects including ethical use of AI tools as visibly stated in the AASL Standards.
2. Teach Design and Use of AI Tools
As artificial intelligence continues to shape the future of education, librarians can play a vital role in introducing and training students on the effective use of AI-powered tools for learning and productivity in partnership with teachers, as cited by Van Brummelen and all.
3. Teach EAL or Theory of Knowledge
According to L Carrol, Librarians can leverage their extensive knowledge and pedagogical skills to facilitate the teaching of English as an Additional Language (EAL) or the interdisciplinary subject of Theory of Knowledge, enriching the academic experience for students, as stated in the article, Librarians as Facilitators of Theory of Knowledgeas recommended by the IBO.
4. Run Enrichment Programs
Librarians can design and implement engaging enrichment programs based on the diverse interests of the student body, fostering a love for learning and cultivating well-rounded individuals, like publication centers, media creation centers, emotional wellbeing activities or more can be encouraged and supported by the school administration.
Reasons Why School Heads May Not Share This Perspective
Despite the clear benefits of librarians as multifaceted professionals, some school heads may not fully embrace this vision. This reluctance can be attributed to several factors:
1. Lack of Understanding:
Some school leaders may have a limited understanding of the evolving role of librarians in modern educational settings, viewing them primarily as custodians of books rather than as strategic partners in academic advancement, as stated by Principal Scott Back in the Knowledge Quest post.
2. Budgetary Constraints
School budgets are often stretched thin, and investing in the professional development and expanded responsibilities of librarians may not be a top priority for some administrators.
3. Resistance to Change:
Implementing a new paradigm of librarian roles can be perceived as a significant organizational change, which some school heads may be hesitant to embrace due to a preference for maintaining established practices.
4. Scarce Evidence
While there is growing research highlighting the positive impact of librarians’ expanded roles, some school leaders may require more concrete evidence and case studies to fully recognize the potential of this approach.
By addressing these concerns and advocating for the multifaceted nature of librarians, school leaders can unlock a world of possibilities for their institutions, empowering both students and teachers to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of education.
Embracing Artificial Intelligence in Large Language Model Tools in Librarianship
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools are revolutionizing every occupation, including librarianship. For librarians, embracing AI can save time, provide dynamic ideas, enhance library services, streamline administrative tasks, and facilitate deeper learning experiences for our patrons and profession. I am sharing ways I have used various AI tools to support my patrons. So much is happening, and I am excited to try out ChatGPT Omni. For now, here is a post about using AI tools.
Collection Analysis:
It is recommended that librarians use AI tools to accurately manage library resources and provide an analysis of our collection.I have not found them particularly useful, as our OPAC systems, like Destiny/Follett and Koha, already do a good job. These OPAC tools can help identify gaps in the collection by analyzing borrowing patterns along with the books on the shelves.
Research Support for High School
Created by Copilot Designer
As a school librarian, I have found it very useful to use Perplexity AI and Bing Copilot to address queries, assist with research, and guide users in navigating large amounts of information by summarizing and providing sources. I am almost tempted to stop using Google.
I recently helped an IB student create an outline for his extended essay research using Grammarly Generative AI (Premium version) and ChatGPT 3.5. It gave him direction on gathering information step by step and incorporating it into his paper. I also created an EE Companion Chatbot, (using Chatgpt4) where students can submit their Extended Essay research papers and receive feedback.
Research Support for Middle School
One middle school student struggled to understand the concepts of capitalism and democracy, their evolution, and which form of government he might prefer. ChatGPT explained democracy and capitalism with a simple prompt: Explain democracy to a 4th grader with metaphors and examples.” It then provided questions to check the student’s understanding. (You need to include the prompt asking the AI tool to work as a kind, supportive Tutor, that doesn’t give the answers right away)
Supporting Teachers
In collaboration with a Language Arts teacher, she and I created a Mizou chatbot that could translate Shakespearean language into modern English to understand Romeo and Juliet, aiding students in understanding the nuances of Romeo and Juliet. Check out other examples on the Mizou gallery.
As a librarian, I support English Language Learners using Diffit , which helps scaffold text and simplify videos. This tool makes delivering content and concepts easier. Input a link, select the grade level, ask for comprehension questions, and it’s ready for you.
Recently, I used Brisk to create a presentation on Google Slides, lesson plans, and a quiz. I didn’t need to embed it in another tool, as it did everything for me.
Some crowdsourced ideas on how other librarians are using ChatGPT are here:
1. Emails
2. Library reports
3. Lesson plans
Created by Copilot Designer
4. Citations
5. Library Manual
6. Library evaluation
7. Curating or recommending resources
8. Formulating questions
9. Generating ideas
10. Book reviews
11. Age-appropriate book recommendations
12. Character descriptions
13. Title recommendations based on learner profiles
14. Book classification through AI
15. Reading challenge questionnaires
16. Book-based interactive activities
17. Quizzes based on books
Ethical use of AI tools
Issues related to privacy, data security, and the ethical use of AI should be carefully considered. I’m glad the technology team at my school manages data security while the entire team, including librarians, ensures ethical use of information. I am using the IB-prescribed norms and am inspired by Wharton Professor Ethan Mollick’s work. I recently presented at the Unplugged Conference on the ethical use of AI tools. Here is the revised presentation (if it makes sense)
As we move forward, it is exciting to see how AI continues to shape the future of librarianship, opening new avenues for collaboration and use of information, and driving and building our intelligence and creativity.
A few weeks ago, a librarian colleague and I discussed how critical and analytical thinking can be taught during their library classes. We discussed the importance of media literacy, and this led to this post…
In today’s era, media literacy is an indispensable skill that is essential in our daily lives. With a plethora of information available at our fingertips, it is crucial to discern between what is true, what is not, and what is outright false. This task becomes even more crucial for teenagers and adults, who form a significant portion of the online population. Therefore, it is important to understand the importance of media literacy and to explore the differences between advertisements, propaganda, and public service announcements (PSAs). In addition, we will look at some examples to illustrate these points and discuss how educators and librarians can impart media literacy. Here is a presentation that you might want to use with your students.
What is Media Literacy?
Media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in a variety of forms. It is a critical skill in the digital age that enables individuals to decode the complex messages presented on various media platforms. By fostering media literacy, we empower individuals to become responsible media consumers, capable of recognizing biases, identifying underlying messages, and making informed decisions.
The distinction between advertisements, propaganda, and PSAs is fundamental in understanding media literacy.
What are advertisements?
It is essential to understand that advertisements are designed to persuade an audience to purchase a product or service. For example, a Tata Sky or Netflix services. Products like the Nivea Soap, Fair and Lovely, and Toothpaste ads. These tell the audience to buy a product or a service. These are usually commercial in nature.
What is Propaganda?
Propaganda seeks to promote a particular political cause or viewpoint. Unlike advertisements, which are primarily commercial, propaganda aims at shaping public opinion and behaviour towards a specific ideology. During election seasons in India, it’s common to see political parties employing propaganda through social media platforms, billboards, and television commercials to sway voters.
What are Public Service Announcements (PSA)?
Public Service Announcements (PSAs) differ significantly from advertisements and propaganda. PSAs are intended to educate the public about pressing social issues and encourage positive societal changes. They are usually sponsored by government agencies or non-profit organizations and focus on topics such as health, safety, and environmental conservation. A notable Indian example would be the government’s campaign to promote cleanliness and hygiene under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission), and Protection from Covid -19, these utilized various media forms to spread its message.
Techniques used in creating these messages:
These messges rely on various techniques, such as emotional appeal, celebrity endorsements, and catchy slogans, to influence consumer behaviour. For example, a popular beverage company in India might launch a campaign featuring a Bollywood star, using their influence to attract customers.
The techniques used in these messages vary widely but often include appealing to emotions, using influential figures, and presenting facts or statistics to support their claims. Recognizing these techniques is a key component of media literacy, allowing individuals to critically evaluate the content they consume.
Some techniques are:
Bandwagon
Language to evoke emotions
Repetition of certain points
Testimonial
Fear
Selective storytelling or cherry-picking facts (all facts not shared) to tell the story
Glittering generalities using vague language
Transfer, associating the authority or power of an individual to convey a message.
Teaching media literacy to teenagers and adults is essential in today’s information-saturated world. Librarians and educators play a crucial role in this endeavour. They can introduce media literacy through curated lessons that include analyzing different media forms, discussing the purpose behind various messages, and encouraging critical thinking about the content’s credibility and bias.
Additionally, incorporating media literacy into the curriculum can be highly effective. This could involve case studies of advertisements, propaganda, and PSAs from the Indian context, allowing students to explore real-world examples and engage in meaningful discussions about their implications.
By understanding the nuances between advertisements, propaganda, and PSAs, and by being aware of the techniques used in these messages, individuals can become more informed consumers and producers of media. Librarians and educators play a significant role in fostering this literacy, equipping teenagers and adults with the critical thinking skills to discern truth from falsehood. Together, we can cultivate a society that values truth, encourages informed decision-making, and promotes a healthy, democratic discourse.
Recently, I read the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Framework and was very happy to see how they have recognized the pivotal role of libraries in shaping students’ academic journeys and fostering a lifelong love for reading. The recently revised CBSE National Curriculum Framework highlights the importance of libraries in achieving curricular goals, with a specific focus on language education. Here is the synopsis for libraries in the CBSE curriculum. The library has been mentioned 91 times in this document, showing its importance. In short, librarians teach through read-aloud and short lessons to help support independent writers and independent readers. They teach and support students to research online and follow their passion through the ethical use of information and media literacy. There is also a component of service mentioned as the library project. (Librarians don’t need to assess students.).
TLDR:
1. Integrating Libraries into the Curriculum – 1.1 Curricular Goal: Developing Lifelong Reading Interest
One of the primary goals of language education is to instill a lifelong interest in reading among students. Recognizing this, the CBSE National Curriculum Framework allocates dedicated time for library activities in the school timetable. Library sessions, scheduled once or twice a week, aim to nurture literacy skills and build a strong foundation for language development.
1.2 Synergizing Language and Library Curricular Goals
The integration of language and library curricular goals is evident in the CBSE framework. Both subjects share time on the timetable, emphasizing the interconnectedness of language development and the role of libraries in achieving these goals. Table 4.4iii stipulates 65 hours in a school year for these activities, highlighting the commitment to fostering a reading culture.
1.3 Embracing Digital Resources
The CBSE curriculum acknowledges the evolving landscape of education by leveraging digital resources. Platforms like SWAYAM, DIKSHA, ePathshala, and the national digital library platform by IIT Kharagpur offer students access to a plethora of digital books. This forward-thinking approach aligns with the changing preferences and technological advancements of the modern era.
2. Libraries as Dynamic Learning Spaces – 2.1 Moving Beyond Traditional Notions
The CBSE framework redefines the role of libraries, emphasizing that they are not merely repositories of books but dynamic spaces designed to spark motivation and interest in reading. Teachers are encouraged to model reading behaviour, conduct read-aloud sessions, and engage students with diverse texts.
2.2 Fostering Reading Skills through Activities
The curriculum encourages a variety of engaging activities to develop reading skills. Initiatives such as ‘book of the day,’ ‘author of the day,’ library trips, literature festivals, and book exhibitions contribute to creating a vibrant reading culture within the school.
3. Libraries as Catalysts for Language Developments – 3.1 Invaluable Contributions to Language Abilities
The CBSE framework recognizes the paramount role of the school library in developing language abilities across different stages. Well-resourced libraries provide access to diverse reading materials, nurturing storytelling skills, fostering critical thinking, enhancing information literacy, and offering a safe learning space.
3.2 Library Activities for Language Development
The framework outlines a range of illustrative activities within the library that contribute to language development. From drawing time and book reviews to story-time and book clubs, these activities enrich students’ language skills, creating a holistic learning environment.
4. The Library Project: Student Involvement and Management- 4.1 Empowering Students Through Library Management
An interesting initiative within the CBSE framework is the Library Project, empowering students to actively participate in the management of the school library. This hands-on experience encourages responsibility and fosters a sense of ownership, making the library a vibrant hub for learning.
5. Inclusive Infrastructure for All – 5.1 Ensuring Accessibility and Inclusion
CBSE emphasizes inclusive infrastructure to ensure that all common spaces, including libraries, are accessible to students and teachers with disabilities. This commitment to inclusivity aligns with the broader goal of providing equitable educational opportunities for every learner.
Finally, the CBSE National Curriculum Framework, with its nuanced approach to libraries, underscores their indispensable role in shaping students’ academic and personal development. By seamlessly integrating libraries into the curriculum, fostering a love for reading, and promoting student involvement, CBSE reaffirms its commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals prepared for a rapidly changing world of teaching information and media literacy while learning to use information ethically.
According to the CBSE Framework – Role of the library according to this framework
Access to a wide range of resources: A school Library could provide students with access to a wide range of resources, including books, magazines, newspapers, and other reading materials. If books are sorted according to Grade levels, categorized, and labelled according to themes and subjects, it would provoke students’ interest and allow easy access to them.
Development of Language abilities: Exposure to reading diverse texts helps improve language skills, such as vocabulary, comprehension of different forms of text and language structure, different viewpoints, and overall language proficiency.
Opportunities for independent reading: A Library can provide space for students to choose books that interest them and read at their own pace. Encouraging students to take books home and conducting activities in assemblies around books promotes reading among all students.
Support for classroom learning: The school Library needs a mapping of Library books to Learning Standards so that the Library would not stand in isolation outside the classroom. Instead, it would be part of classroom resources and processes.
Encouragement of a love of reading: By providing a wide range of engaging and age-appropriate books, students can develop a lifelong love of reading, which can have a positive impact on their language and overall development.
Promotion of literacy skills: The school Library can help promote literacy through activities such as book clubs, writing workshops, and storytelling sessions, which can help students develop their language skills and become more confident readers and writers.
Supporting research and inquiry: The Library offers resources such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, and reference materials that support students’ research and inquiry-based learning.
As a secondary school library media specialist, I am learning how incredibly useful AI tools can be. Still, it is up to us to know how to use these AI tools ethically and responsibly. AI tools can be handy for students when researching and writing assignment papers, and students need to learn how to use them in a way that is ethical and responsible.
A checklist can help students understand the basics of AI. We are responsible for all the content we share and create. When using AI tools, it is recommended that we acknowledge the AI tool and cite it when used for evidence or to prove a point during research. It is to be treated like any other information source when we present our research findings.
Here is a checklist for secondary school students above 13 using AI Tools
Do’s:
Understand the Basics: Before using any AI tool, understand what AI is and how it works. This will help you use the tool more effectively and responsibly.
Follow Guidelines: Always follow the guidelines provided by the AI tool. This includes understanding the tool’s capabilities and limitations.
Respect Privacy: Be mindful of privacy issues. Do not use AI tools to access or share sensitive information unless it’s necessary and appropriate.
Think Critically: AI tools can be powerful, but they’re not always perfect. Use your own judgement in addition to the AI’s suggestions. Use your knowledge to check for correct information while identifying biases.
Stay Safe: Be aware of potential risks and threats when using AI tools online. Protect your personal information and be cautious of potential scams or malicious software.
Follow the School’s Policy: It is important to understand and share the school’s policy on AI tools and must follow the guidelines.
Don’ts:
Don’t Over-rely: While AI tools can be helpful, don’t rely on them for everything. It’s important to think for yourself and develop your own skills.
Don’t Misuse: Do not use AI tools for harmful or unethical purposes. This includes bullying, cheating, or violating others’ privacy.
Don’t Ignore Errors: If you notice that an AI tool is not working properly or is providing incorrect information, don’t ignore it. Report the issue to the appropriate person or organization.
Don’t Skip Updates: Keep your AI tools up-to-date to ensure they work effectively and securely.
Don’t Share Without Consent: Do not share others’ information without their consent, even if an AI tool allows you to do so. (The information collected by AI tools and other technology tools are often shared with third-party entities)
Educators and Librarians must continue to discuss the ethical and responsible use of AI tools. All users of AI tools are responsible for the content created by them; therefore, checking for inaccurate information lies on the individual as they engage with AI tools to produce content.
Here is a short checklist of Do’s and Don’t for students when using AI tools for research and writing
Do’s
✔️ Use AI tools for research, data analysis, and information retrieval to enhance their learning experience.
✔️ Acknowledge and cite AI-generated content when used in assignments or projects.
✔️To Avoid plagiarism and provide proper attribution for AI-generated work.
✔️ Engage with AI-driven platforms and tools for personalized learning experiences
✔️ Seek help from AI-driven tutoring systems for assistance in understanding and practising academic concepts.
✔️ Use AI tools responsibly and with integrity
✔️ Employ AI tools for creative projects while maintaining originality and artistic expression and driving your own creativity
✔️ Follow academic guidelines and rules provided by teachers and institutions, even when using AI tools.
Don’ts
❌ Avoid submitting AI-generated work without proper attribution or claiming it as their own.
❌ Do not use AI tools to cheat on assignments, tests, or exams.
❌ Refrain from engaging in unethical AI practices, such as creating deepfakes or using
❌ Do not share personal or sensitive data with AI tools or platforms that lack proper security measures.
❌ Overely on AI as a supplementary tool rather than relying solely on it for learning and problem-solving.
❌ Do not dismiss feedback or corrections from teachers or peers when using AI-generated content.
❌ Do not blindly trust AI-generated results; always verify information from reputable sources since AI tools can be biased and create hallucinations.
Best practices for student engagement with AI Tools in academic work
When students use AI tools, it is also important for them to show their process of creating their papers or assignments. They must know the following:
Students must be able to produce artefacts such as brainstorming, drafting, revision and/or reflection notes (Draftback and Google Revision History) to show evidence of their work.
Student’s work must showcase their voice and knowledge. Since teachers know the students well, conferring with them on a 1-1 basis will help them check for students’ learning.
Students must acknowledge the use of AI tools and cite work when required.
All students above 13 using AI tools must learn about the benefits and shortcomings of the AI tools. Although AI tools show great promise and can be used as a valuable tool for learning and growth, we must be responsible and display integrity.
Acknowledgement: During the writing process, Bing Chat generated responses to the following prompt: Checklist for academic use of AI tools for secondary school students.
How is AI going to change the education landscape?
So many questions and yet many Librarians are using and exploring AI tools in a number of ways. The most important answer I am looking for and awaiting is: When will the assessments change for High School Students? How are colleges going to enroll new students? How are teachers and librarians going to change and adopt new practices? Who is going to lead us, and How?
Librarians are worried about Academic integrity and that students will cheat and their grades will not justify their learning. There is a huge setback in assessments, and what would we need to assess, and what will it look like? Many unanswered questions are still buzzing around.
So, what can librarians do for now?
Images generated by Bing Image Creator
Encourage the use of AI Tools
Ask and have conversations with your students about how AI is helping them grow and learn.
How do we engage in meaningful conversations to ensure students are learning and not cheating?
So, when a student has used AI tools to assist in their work, it’s important to assess not only the final product but also their understanding of the content and the impact of AI on their learning process. This conversation can help ensure human academic integrity.
Engaging Conversations
Here are some questions you might ask students to allow you to gauge their understanding and the effectiveness of the AI tools:
Understanding of the Topic –
– Can you explain the main concepts and ideas in your paper in your own words?
– How did your research with AI tools contribute to your understanding of the topic?
AI Tool Selection
– Why did you choose the specific AI tools you used for this assignment?
– Did you consider any limitations or potential biases in the AI tools you used?
Research Process
– How did you use AI tools in your research process? Can you describe the steps you followed?
– Did you encounter any challenges or difficulties when using AI tools?
Critical Thinking
– How did you critically evaluate the information generated by AI tools? Did you fact-check or verify the results?
– Did using AI tools influence your ability to think critically about the topic?
Collaboration with AI
– Did you collaborate with AI as a tool, or did it replace certain tasks you would have done manually?
– How did you balance the contributions of AI with your own insights and analysis?
Learning and Growth
– In what ways has using AI tools impacted your learning experience for this assignment?
– Have you developed any new skills or improved existing ones through the use of AI?
Ethical Considerations
– Did you consider the ethical implications of using AI tools, such as plagiarism or bias in AI-generated content?
– How did you address or mitigate any ethical concerns?
AI as a Learning Aid
– Did using AI tools enhance your learning in this particular assignment?
– How do you see the role of AI in education in general?
Feedback and Revision
– Did you receive feedback on your paper, and if so, how did you incorporate it into your work?
– Did you use AI for revision or editing purposes, and if yes, how did it help?
Future Use of AI
– Do you see yourself using AI tools in future academic work or professional projects?
– What lessons have you learned from this experience that you might apply in the future?
These questions can help you assess the student’s comprehension of the topic. We, as educators, will learn how students have integrated AI tools into their learning.
Images generated by Bing Image Creator
(Used ChatGPT as a thought partner)
So, it is not about NOT using AI tools but HOW AI can benefit and build students’ critical and analytical skills to problem-solve.
Librarians Teaching Points
Librarians can continue to teach evaluating resources like the CRAAP test. How Wikipedia assimilates and curates its information, the authority of the sources, and the usage of Wikipedia. Citing AI tools are some teaching points for Librarians.
AI tools have brought more attention to the biases of information and hallucinations. Knowing the author has become very important, and the need to verify sources is essential for any critical, analytical, or descriptive research paper.
AI research tools like Elicit, Consensus, and Research Rabbit is far more effective than ChatGPT 3.5, although there is information that it is being updated, and Bard and Llama may be better. (Opinions)
There is much discussion around Artificial Intelligence being artificial in nature yet seeming to mirror sentiency. Check out this article from Singularity Hub, which provokes us to think of the possibilities of AI being sentient and how we can differentiate the sentience of AI from a human.
There may be a time when AI chips will be embedded in humans.! Sci-Fi or REAL?
Redefining Librarianship through Collaborative Teacher Partnerships (Workshop in Thailand) Check this out https://www.ksipd.com/librarianship
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the role of a librarian has expanded beyond traditional book curation and cataloguing. As AI tools like ChatGPT, Bard, and Bing Chat continue to revolutionize the way we access and interact with information, librarians need to adapt to stay relevant and provide valuable resources to their patrons.
How do you keep abreast with AI Tools:
Continuous Learning and Training: Educate yourself
Attend workshops, webinars, and conferences focused on AI and its applications in libraries.
Collaborate with experts in the field to gain insights into the latest AI trends.
Stay updated with relevant literature and research on AI’s impact on libraries.
Exploring AI Tools: Experiment
Take the time to explore and experiment with various AI tools like ChatGPT, Bard, and Bing Chat – there are no shortcuts
Understand the capabilities of each tool and identify potential use cases in a library setting.
Networking: Collaborate and ask Questions
Join online communities, forums, and social media groups related to library technology and AI.
Engage in discussions and share experiences with other librarians who are integrating AI tools.
User-Centric Approach: How will it help my patrons and me
Regularly engage with library patrons to understand their needs and preferences.
Identify areas where AI tools can enhance user experience and provide personalized assistance.
Embracing AI Tools in Your Library: Test, Trial, Retest, and fine-tune
Teaching students and adults how to use AI tools as virtual assistants
Integrate AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Bing Chat into your lessons
Learning about tones and styles of writing
Enhancing Research: Practice using and playing to enhance
Offer workshops to teach patrons how to effectively use AI tools to conduct research and gather information.
Showcase how AI can aid in summarizing, extracting key points, and generating citations.
Data Management: Experiment and Trials
Explore AI solutions for efficient cataloguing and data organization, allowing librarians to focus on higher-level tasks.
Implement AI-powered tools to analyze usage patterns and make informed decisions about collection development.
Language Translation and Accessibility:
Integrate AI tools to aid in translating materials into various languages, promoting inclusivity.
Empowering Students to Become Proficient Designers: Unleashing Creativity using picture books
As literacy champions, librarians foster a love for reading through storytelling. Read-aloud sessions have been an integral part of library classes; therefore, using components of visual literacy can take these sessions to new heights, captivating young minds and expanding their understanding of the written word.
Simply put, visual literacy is the ability to interpret, analyse, and create visual images. It encompasses a range of skills: including observing, questioning, and making connections between visual elements. By incorporating visual literacy techniques into read-aloud sessions, librarians can engage children on multiple sensory levels and promote a deeper understanding and appreciation for the stories they encounter. Using these visual literacy strategies can help students become skilled creators of art and images across various media to create posters, presentations, websites, films or any products that involve designing and media.
Visual literacy strategies for Picture Books
Composition and Context
Composition in visual literacy refers to the deliberate arrangement and placement of elements within an image. Through thoughtful composition, artists, and photographers guide the viewer’s attention, convey emotions, and communicate messages effectively.
When reading aloud, librarians can ask questions like :
Describe the surrounding on the illustrations on this page. What is omitted?
What objects are visible in this image? What is missing?
How does the clothing of the character tell you about the character?
How do the placement and arrangement of things in a picture make you feel? Does it make you look at something specific?
Can you find a picture where the way things are placed and arranged helps tell a story or show a message? What do you think the artist is trying to tell us?
Why do you think artists and photographers must think carefully about arranging things in a picture?
All these aspects form the illustration’s composition to create a meaningful and cohesive visual narrative.
Context also refers to the cultural, historical, social, situational, and personal circumstances to which a text is composed and responded.
Colour, Hue, and Tone
Artists use colour to design picture book illustrations to evoke specific emotions, convey moods, and enhance storytelling. Colours have symbolic meanings and can evoke different responses. For instance, red may represent passion, anger, or vitality, while blue can signify peace, harmony, or coldness.
Teaching students to read illustrations through colours, help develop observational skills and analytical thinking as they interpret the emotional impact and symbolic associations of different colour choices.
In black-and-white images, artists often rely on contrast, light, and darkness to create visual interest and convey depth and mood. In black & white images, we can examine the use of contrast, light, and darkness.
Questions to ask students:
How do the colors used in the pictures make you feel? Do they make the story seem happy, sad, or something else?
Can you think of a picture book where the color red was used? What emotions or feelings do you think the color red represents in that book?
When you see a black-and-white picture, how can the artist make it interesting without using any colors?
How can colors in a picture help us understand how a character is feeling or what they are like?
Can you find a picture book where the color blue is used? What do you think the color blue means in that book?
How does looking at the colors in a picture help you understand the story better?
Text Style
Consider the font, colour, size and placement used in the text. The use of fonts in a picture book plays a crucial role in conveying the book’s tone, mood, and overall visual aesthetic. Different font choices can evoke emotions and help define the characters, settings, and narrative style. For example, a playful and whimsical story may be complemented by a rounded and playful font, while a mysterious or spooky tale may feature jagged or ornate fonts. The text’s size, spacing, and formatting can impact readability and guide the reader’s eye across the page. The careful selection and placement of fonts contribute to the overall visual storytelling experience and enhance the reader’s engagement with the picture book. Use the image to check out these questions.
Questions to try with students are:
How does the font style and size used in the text make you feel about the story? Does it match the mood or theme of the book?
Can you find a picture book where the text is written in a playful or whimsical font?
Why do you think the author or illustrator chose a specific font for the text? Does it help you understand the characters or setting better?
How does the size of the text affect your reading experience? Does it make it easier or harder to read?
Why do you think the author or illustrator made that choice?
How does the color of the text impact your understanding and enjoyment of the story? Does it evoke certain emotions or make certain words stand out more?
Texture:
Texture in illustrations for picture books refers to the visual representation of tactile qualities, creating a sense of touch or surface characteristics. It adds depth, dimension, and richness to the images, enhancing the overall sensory experience for the reader. Using texture, artists can evoke emotions, differentiate elements, and create a more immersive storytelling experience.
Questions to ask children when analyzing picture books related to texture:
How does the texture in this illustration make you feel? Does it make you think of something specific?
Can you describe the texture you see in this picture? Does it appear rough, smooth, bumpy, or something else?
How does the use of texture contribute to the overall mood or atmosphere of the story?
Does it help you imagine what it might feel like to touch the objects or characters in the illustration?
Visual literacy helps children look at pictures carefully, enhancing their observation skills, understanding visual communication, and fostering creative expression.
