The AASL has officially changed the title of my job. I’m no longer the Library Media Specialist – I’m the School Librarian. When I first heard this, I wasn’t pleased. I’ve never been a fan of the term librarian when describing my job description. To me, the term librarian can be stereotyped pretty easily and I don’t feel I fit the librarian stereotype. I felt the term Library Media Specialist was a better job description of what we now do. We are not just librarians – checking books out the students. I believe, to many outside of education, people view our jobs as a simple one – check out books to the kids and shelve books when they are returned to the library. They don’t realize what else we do during the day, maintaining and building the collection to match state and district standards. They don’t realize how much time we spend reading book reviews and scouring the web to find quality materials for our students. They don’t realize how much knowledge we have related to technology. We do a lot more than people think and that’s why I wasn’t thrilled when I heard this announcement.
Cathy Nelson wrote a great post shortly after the announcement wondering if the title change is a step backwards. I agree – I don’t see the term librarian reflecting 21st Century Skills. I went back and reread the original post again and was drawn by one of the comments from Floyd Pentlin, the author of the post, who commented to Cathy,
“Whether we are called School Librarians, Teacher Librarians, Library Teachers, or Teaching Librarians is a state option. The American Association of School Librarians should choose a term for its professionals that is clear to other educators, administrators, and the public and also indicative of our role as teachers.”
———————————————————-
Cathy, I can’t imagine that what title you choose to use will “hurt our cause.” There was a lot of discussion about the fact that perhaps the title wasn’t very important in the long run but what we actually did in our job that will make the difference.
The last sentence about what we actually do making a difference is so true. We help decide the success of our libraries and we help make a difference. Does the title matter that much? If the goal of the AASL was to have a consistent term for publications, then fine. The idea that each state organization can choose what term to use tells me there still isn’t a clear consensus on the issue. Requirements for certification in our area probably differs from state to state, so I guess I’m okay with the title varying as well.
In my school district, our school libraries are called Instructional Media Centers – or IMC for short. A kindergarten student once called me the IMC Guy because he hadn’t learned my name yet, which I decided to use for my online identity. Some people at my school still call me the librarian, some Library Media Specialist, and some IMC Director. With no general consensus, should we (those in my district), start referring my classroom as a library again? Should I be the “School Library Guy?”
Categories: 
Tags: 
My name is Chad Lehman. I'm currently an Elementary Library Media Specialist. I spent eight years teaching third grade prior to moving to the school library. When I'm not at school, I'm probably online, playing or watching sports, or driving my two kids to one of their activities.
“Juliet:”What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.” Shakespeare
I believe you are whoever you want to be regardless of what a leading organization has decided to label you with. Your school will call you the name you refer to yourself and they are the ones that matter. AASL had their reasons to generalize our job title to meet their needs. It doesn’t mean that I’m going to change my title because their reasons aren’t mine. My students and yours know you as a Library Media Specialist. I’m sticking to that title because it fits me best as well.
In some circles I am a Media Director, Librarian, Library Media Specialist as well as That Library Lady. I embrace them all and I live up to each title with pride!
I have had mixed feelings about the name change, but believe that once the dust settles, nothing will have really changed. As you said:
“If the goal of the AASL was to have a consistent term for publications, then fine. The idea that each state organization can choose what term to use tells me there still isn’t a clear consensus on the issue. Requirements for certification in our area probably differs from state to state, so I guess I’m okay with the title varying as well.”
I am an educator. Period. It is my chosen profession. I taught in a classroom for 29 years and have been teaching in a media center/library for 3.5 years now. Call me what you will, but just stay outta my way and let me teach!
You should use whatever you think fits! If your kids know you as the IMC Guy (which I think is fantastic) then that is who you are. I am going to continue using teacher Librarian as it sends the message to all that I am a teacher as much as a librarian. My concern/issue is that the decision was made without mre discussion (did you read the quote in the AASL Blog post that read something to the effect…not much fuss about it? THAT is a major concern for me. Suddenly I did not feel my interests were represented in the name change. As always, you have a great post here. Thanks for chiming in on the issue.
@milady I really like your last comment – live up to them all!
@fran You are probably right about the dust settling. Is this really going to change anything? Probably not.
@cathy I’m glad you are considering your voice in the process – that’s a key part of this. I wonder if other who are members, but didn’t have a say, feel as you do.
I do NOT care too much for the term School Librarian. It sounds too dusty and old. But in the long run, nothing changes…Nice blog. I must come here more often…