LAR3671

Libraries, curriculum and literature

H M Yee and B J McMullin

6 points
* 3 hours per week
* Second semester
* Clayton
* Prohibitions: LAR3653, LAR4653, LAR4671

Objectives At the completion of this subject students should be able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the role of authors, publishers and vendors who target young people as their audience; trends in children's literature; significant classic and modern literary works which can assist reading development in young people; approaches to encouraging both reading and complementary forms of cultural participation by young people; the contribution of teacher librarians to the development of school curricula and learning by young people across all subjects and to the development of various kinds of literacies (eg reading, information literacy, writing and Web authoring); the potential for wider participation by teacher librarians in school information management; the reasons why libraries, and particularly school libraries, developed; how they have adapted to change; the succession of information technologies which have made librarianship possible; the diversity of social groups served by libraries, both nationally and internationally; the situation and prospects of school libraries compared with other types (eg national, public, academic, corporate); the relationship between school and public libraries in providing for the needs of school-age young people; contemporary and emergent concepts and issues in library service, notably the virtual library; metadata; the impact of information technology on the design and operation of library/resource service facilities in the school environment; and stakeholders, structures and processes in the development of library policy, with particular focus on policy affecting school libraries.

Synopsis This subject provides an extensive exploration of the role of literature, especially children's literature, in the education of school-age young people. It examines how teacher librarians collaborate with other education professionals in developing reading and other literacies in students. It also deals with the responsibilities of teacher librarians in the following areas: working with their fellow teachers, in all subjects, to develop, implement, and evaluate stimulating and challenging curricula; participating in the development, implementation and evaluation of information management policies in schools (eg resource discovery and creation on the Internet); development and maintenance of school intranets; and the development of information skills among all members of the school community and facilitating access to other information services in the community (eg public libraries, community computing networks). These themes are studied against the background of the past, present and likely future roles of libraries in society generally, particularly the diversity of contexts in which they operate, of clients whom they serve and techniques they employ and the nature of their social contribution - to assist in extending the boundaries of people's skills or knowledge, enhancing the capacity of individuals to learn and earn, to enjoy the life of the mind, and to contribute to the common good of society.

Assessment Investigative report: 40%
* Essay: 20%
* Examination (3 hours): 40%

Recommended texts

Biskup P Libraries in Australia Centre for Information Studies, 1995
Learning for the future: developing information services in Australian schools Curriculum Corporation, 1994