This document discusses the many roles of the librarian in vocational/technical education. It outlines that librarians must be flexible and think outside the box as their patrons are not always traditional library users. The document recommends that librarians define their patron populations of students and teachers, look at circulation statistics, class use, computer labs and more to identify needs. It suggests librarians act as public relations specialists, technology specialists, curriculum specialists and more to engage with patrons face-to-face, provide extended hours and resources, and get the word out about the library.

1. THE MANY ROLES OF
THE LIBRARIAN
IN
VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL
EDUCATION
Debra A. Murphy, M.A., M.L.I.S., M.Ed.
Essex Agricultural and Technical High School

2. My Experience
• Flexibility is key
• Always think outside the box
• Our patrons are not always traditional library
users and can be resistant
• They hold many pre-conceived ideas about the
library
• Students
• Teachers

3. Create your own Identity by…
• Defining your patron population and their needs
• Students
• Teachers

4. Look at:
• Circulation Statistics
• Class Use
• Before and after school use…

5. Look at:
• Do you have study periods…
• Extended hours…
• Computer Labs
• Regular Faculty Planning Time

6. Identifying Needs
Students:
• Homework
• Reading
• Technology
• Public Library/gathering place

7. Identifying needs:
Teachers:
• Curriculum
• Co-Teaching
• Technology
• Research
• Education News

8. Public Relations Specialist
Teachers Public Librarians
Technology Specialist Curriculum Specialist

9. Patrons don’t know what they don’t know

10. Getting the word out…
Students

11. Face – to - Face
Your greatest tool is face to face
communication with students

12. Build Relationships
• Don’t wait for them to ask
• Provide a neutral environment
• Engage with them
• One negative interaction and you’ve lost them

13. Extended hours
• Open the doors
• Extending hours is the greatest tool

14. Not just for reading….

15. Technology Specialist/Teacher
Social Media….

16. Public Librarian–
Collection Development
• Popular Magazines
• Video
• Honor Student
Requests

17. Public Librarian–
Collection Development
• Popular Fiction
• Honor Student
Requests

18. Collection Development –
Recommendation
Workshop – The Best New Young Adult
Books present by
Tools for Teaching and Learning offered
each fall
www.ttlseminars.com

19. Technology Specialist
Web Designer

20. Getting the word out…
Teachers
Curriculum Specialist – Know their
subjects

21. Curriculum Specialist/Librarian

22. Curriculum Specialist/Librarian

23. Public Librarian
• Magazines
• Newspapers
• Video

24. Public Librarian
• Popular Fiction

25. Subject Area Specialist…

26. Digital Devices
Technology Specialist - and
E-Books

27. Digital Devices
Technology Specialist - and
E-Books

28. Technology Specialist

29. Transliteracy Expert
Transliteracy is the ability to read, write and interact
across a range of platforms, tools and media from
signing and orality through handwriting, print, TV, radio
and film, to digital social networks.
Sue Thomas (Production and Research in Transliteracy, now
www.transliteracy.com

30. The Library
The only place where all of these platforms
come together.

31. The Librarian….
The only person who brings them all
together.