The Innovative School Librarian: Thinking Outside the Box

摘要

Sharon Markless and her team have produced a book for school librarians, also known as teacher librarians (e.g. Australia) or school library media specialists (e.g. USA) in some countries, which encourages these school-based library professionals "to stand back from their day-to-day activity" and to critically evaluate their "values, philosophy and what defines their professional practice". The emphasis in this book is on reflection rather than everyday practice. In a book of 156 pages with fairly large print, plus references and appendices, this is a big ask, and while school library practitioners around the world can certainly benefit from reading this book, they may feel slightly short-changed by the lack of depth in some areas. There is no doubt that school librarians should read this book because, in this reviewer's experience, school librarians are often so busy meeting the demands of a complex school community - students, teachers, management, parents, the local community - that they have little time to stop and reflect.