Comments on: With my feet in the mud… http://iflaslblog.wordpress.com/2007/07/02/with-my-feet-in-the-mud%e2%80%a6/ - a commentsblog Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:57:28 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Helen Boelens http://iflaslblog.wordpress.com/2007/07/02/with-my-feet-in-the-mud%e2%80%a6/#comment-4785 Helen Boelens Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:52:14 +0000 http://iflaslblog.wordpress.com/2007/07/02/with-my-feet-in-the-mud%e2%80%a6/#comment-4785 Thanks, Tom, for your comments. The democracy which I spoke about may need some clarification. The Dutch believe very strongly in democracy and democary plays an important part in our schools. The school leadership arranged for a democratic vote with regard to the role which the school library and information centre would play in the introduction of interdisciplinary information literacy instruction, for teachers and pupils, throughout the entire school. The teachers voted for the instruction. This is how it has been possible for us to give the instruction - we have the co-operation of the teaching staff. There are regular meetings regarding the work of the school library and information centre. About the language matter ... I have to say it is a real challenge for me too. Dutch is only spoken by approximately 19 million people. Dutch children need to be able to communicate with people throughout Europe. This means that they need to learn other languages as well. I have to admit that I am severely challenged by five languages, nevertheless we have a good collection in these languages. The Dutch library system provides ordering information for schools in these languages via NBDBiblion. Our catalogue should be available on-line in the near future. As we say in Dutch, Vriendelijke groet (friendly greetings) Helen Boelens. Thanks, Tom, for your comments. The democracy which I spoke about may need some clarification. The Dutch believe very strongly in democracy and democary plays an important part in our schools. The school leadership arranged for a democratic vote with regard to the role which the school library and information centre would play in the introduction of interdisciplinary information literacy instruction, for teachers and pupils, throughout the entire school. The teachers voted for the instruction. This is how it has been possible for us to give the instruction – we have the co-operation of the teaching staff. There are regular meetings regarding the work of the school library and information centre.

About the language matter … I have to say it is a real challenge for me too. Dutch is only spoken by approximately 19 million people. Dutch children need to be able to communicate with people throughout Europe. This means that they need to learn other languages as well.

I have to admit that I am severely challenged by five languages, nevertheless we have a good collection in these languages. The Dutch library system provides ordering information for schools in these languages via NBDBiblion.

Our catalogue should be available on-line in the near future.

As we say in Dutch,
Vriendelijke groet (friendly greetings)
Helen Boelens.

]]> By: Tom Kaun http://iflaslblog.wordpress.com/2007/07/02/with-my-feet-in-the-mud%e2%80%a6/#comment-4701 Tom Kaun Sun, 30 Dec 2007 06:18:39 +0000 http://iflaslblog.wordpress.com/2007/07/02/with-my-feet-in-the-mud%e2%80%a6/#comment-4701 As a long-time teacher librarian I can certainly empathize with your post, Helen. I am in the US--California to be specific--where support for school libraries is very minimal--hardly any at the national or state level and a very low priority at the district level. I am fortunate to be in an affluent area but realize every day that it is an on-going, never-ending challenge to make sure that my students are prepared for their future. Two thing stuck out in your post. You repeatedly mentioned democracy as your method of putting forth new ideas and programs. I find it a challenge keeping engaged with the entire school community and not just doing things which I "hope" will work. Cooperation and collaboration are definitely the way to go--they just seem so slow at times! The other thing I noticed was your mention of materials in five(!) languages. I'm challenged by one language. It must be amazing to have to provide good materials in five. I'd be very interested in seeing your catalog if it's available online. Keep up the good work! As a long-time teacher librarian I can certainly empathize with your post, Helen. I am in the US–California to be specific–where support for school libraries is very minimal–hardly any at the national or state level and a very low priority at the district level. I am fortunate to be in an affluent area but realize every day that it is an on-going, never-ending challenge to make sure that my students are prepared for their future.
Two thing stuck out in your post. You repeatedly mentioned democracy as your method of putting forth new ideas and programs. I find it a challenge keeping engaged with the entire school community and not just doing things which I “hope” will work. Cooperation and collaboration are definitely the way to go–they just seem so slow at times!
The other thing I noticed was your mention of materials in five(!) languages. I’m challenged by one language. It must be amazing to have to provide good materials in five. I’d be very interested in seeing your catalog if it’s available online.
Keep up the good work!

]]>