This document discusses the core of school librarianship and focuses on people, partnerships, and participatory culture. It emphasizes that relationships are the cornerstone of libraries and participation. Librarians can act as catalysts for larger change by disrupting traditional education models and growing a culture of participatory learning and literacy. This involves forming learning communities around inquiry, standards, passions and talents. It also discusses instructional possibilities for librarians such as being embedded partners, co-teachers, and professional developers who provide leadership and professional learning.

1. People, Partnerships, and
Participatory Culture:
The Core
of School Librarianship
Buffy J. Hamilton
Florida Association for Media in Education
November 3, 2012
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrezafaisal/6351010140/sizes/l/

2. “These are
the times
that
try men’s
souls…”
Thomas Paine, The Crisis
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/toomanytribbles/5631936977/sizes/l/in/photostream/

3. shifting roles of educators in
the landscape of public
education

4. statewide budget crisis in
education

5. the fear factor
Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/sziszo/2592916753/sizes/o/

6. tension between the corporate driven direction of
public education and grass-roots reform movements
CC image via
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jphilipson/582274247/sizes/l/in/photostream/

7. competing pedagogies and what “counts”
as learning
Image via Microsoft Clip Gallery

8. meeting the needs of many different kinds of
learners
Image via Microsoft Clip Gallery

9. CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/tz1_1zt/2504528025/sizes/l/in/faves-
10557450@N04/

10. reality check: problematic models of professional
practice and lack of “bulletproof” advocacy
strategies for today’s world of education
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotahistoricalsociety/5186865305/

11. CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/almaz73/3564244382/sizes/l/in/faves-10557450@N04/

12. how do we
transform
ourselves
and
libraries?
Original photograph by Buffy Hamilton

14. trustworthiness
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisk4u/3523009191/sizes/z/in/faves-10557450@N04/

15. likability
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandoncwarren/4164759025/sizes/l/

16. fantastic product or
service
CC image via
http://www.flickr.com/photos/patrickgage/3282273765/in
/faves-10557450@N04/

17. enchantment
Cc image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/restlessglobetrotter/3325862580/sizes/l/in/faves-10557450@N04/

18. enchantment:
sustained,
voluntary
delight that is
mutually
beneficial
CC image via http://goo.gl/JeEi2

19. “enchantment
transforms
situations and
relationships”
Guy Kawasaki,
Enchantment: The Art of Changing
Hearts, Minds, and Actions
CC image via http://goo.gl/V9vO6

20. relationships are the cornerstone of
libraries and participation
CC image via http://goo.gl/3qSaE

21. library is the
shared story of the
human
experience
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/beth19/4642532960/sizes/l/in/photostream/

22. libraries as communal experiences and
“commonplace” texts constructed by
participants
CC image via http://goo.gl/6M6GR

23. participatory
learning is a lens to
help us see the
possibilities and
create a context for
crafting a shared
vision of library in
learning
communities
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/beataryden/5917683857/sizes/l/in/photostream/

25. “It’s all about learning…
how is this going to fundamentally
enrich a conversation?
There isn’t a part of the library that isn’t
about learning. Learning is a
collaborative conversation.”
CC image via
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcwathieu/2980385784/sizes/l/in/faves
-10557450@N04/
Dr. David Lankes
Participatory Librarianship and Change Agents: http://blip.tv/file/1566813

27. relatively low barriers to artistic
expression and civic engagement
Original photograph by Buffy Hamilton

28. strong support for creating and sharing one’s
creations with others
Original photograph by Buffy Hamilton

29. co-expertise and fluidity in roles of experts and
novices

30. members feel some degree of social
connection with one another
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/buildingunity/303497031/sizes/l/in/faves-10557450@N04/

31. members believe that their contributions
matter
CC image via
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ari/502329223/sizes/l/in/faves-
10557450@N04/

32. meaningful
play
and experimentation
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/floater81/3679792730/sizes/l/

33. integrated learning space that values
connections between home, school,
community, and the world
Image from Microsoft Clip Gallery

34. learning that feels relevant
CC image via
http://www.flickr.com/photos/esami/5115533174/sizes/l/in/photostream/

35. People and
relationships
Sustained Partnerships
participation for Learning

36. communities formed around content and
information literacy standards
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidsilver/3846379066/sizes/l/in/photostream/

37. communities formed around passions,
interests, wonderings, and curiosity
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/-lucaslove/2480196861/sizes/l/in/photostream/

38. participatory
learning and literacy
are scalable to
the needs of a
learning
community
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/shereen84/2511071028/sizes/l/in/photostream/

39. librarians can be the
catalyst to spark larger
change in a learning
ecosystem
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/2643699255/sizes/l/in/photostream/

40. disrupt what paulo freire terms the “banking”
system of education that devalues inquiry
Image used under a CC license from http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuckincustoms/4034124468/sizes/l/

41. Hear Dr. Wesch’s TED Talk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeaAHv4UTI8 CC image via http://bit.ly/r8oa8n

42. “…participatory teaching methods simply will not
work if they do not begin with a deep bond
between teacher and student. Importantly, this
bond must be built through mutual respect, care,
and an ongoing effort to know and understand one
another.”
Dr. Michael Wesch
Associate Professor of Cultural
Anthropology
Coffman Chair for Distinguished
Teaching Scholars
Kansas State University
Quote: http://chronicle.com/article/A-Tech-Happy-Professor-Reboots/130741/#disqus_thread
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/nattu/4085398562/sizes/l/in/photostream/

43. how do we grow a culture of participatory
culture, relationships, and learning
communities as librarians?

44. CC image via
http://www.flickr.com/photos/geckoam/3181193844/sizes/o/in/photostream/

45. vanishing
boundaries

46. CC image via
http://www.flickr.com/photos/willemvelthoven/2620761140/sizes/l/in/faves-
10557450@N04/

47. CC image via
http://www.flickr.com/photos/drh/2578799446/sizes/l/in/photostream/

48. learning
communities
formed
around inquiry
and standards
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/mymollypop/2646559132/sizes/l/

49. http://www.corestandards.org/

50. Original photograph by Buffy Hamilton

51. Opportunities to create partnerships for learning
and craft learning experiences to foster participatory
learning
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/jstar/288960063/sizes/o/

52. CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/dylanporteus/6506284477/sizes/l/in/photostream/

53. CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/incanus/4522253531/sizes/l/in/faves-
10557450@N04/

54. Instructional
Possibilities: The Librarian
Learning Strategist
Partner
Embedded
Professional co-teacher and
Developer instructional
designer
Coach and Mentor

55. provide instructional leadership and co-develop
professional development
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/maxelman/2306436029/sizes/l/in/photostream/

56. Possibilities: The Librarian
Learn more: http://henryjenkins.org/2012/09/designing-with-teachers-participatory-approaches-to-professional-development-in-
education.html

57. flex your instructional design
and instructional literacy
muscles in the context of
content based research units
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/ggvic/3255129747/sizes/l/in/photostream/

58. mentor and support
informational writing and
content creation
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/vijayvenkatesh/3508542772/sizes/l/in/photostream/

59. http://digitalis.nwp.org/collection/digital-
writing-and-common-core#overview-more

60. Graphic used with permission from Dr. Barbara Stripling

61. connect
Image source: Microsoft Clip Gallery

62. “awakening prior knowledge”
Kristin Fontichiaro
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/guccibear2005/141861924/sizes/l/in/photostream/

63. Connecting
Collaborative Scale/share
Provide
knowledge constructed
choices
building knowledge

64. Connecting

65. Connecting
Original photo by Buffy Hamilton

66. Connecting

67. Connecting
Original photo by Buffy Hamilton

68. wonder
Original photo used with permissio from Andy Plemmons http://barrowmediacenter.wordpress.com/2012/02/06/connecting-students-to-primary-
sources/

69. Developing questions
Wonder
Small/whole group
brainstorming
Scale/share constructed
knowledge with larger
“classroom”

70. Wonder
Original photo by Buffy Hamilton

71. Wonder
Original photo by Buffy Hamilton

72. Wonder

73. Wonder

74. Wonder

75. Wonder
Original photograph by Buffy Hamilton

76. investigate
Image source: Microsoft Clip Gallery

77. Investigate
Original photo by Buffy Hamilton

78. Investigate

79. Investigate

80. Investigate

81. Investigate

82. Investigate

83. Investigate

84. Investigate
Original photo by Buffy Hamilton

85. Investigate
Video available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG8oCE_aIzE

86. construct
Image source: Microsoft Clip Gallery

87. Synthesis
Construct
Finding patterns/
relationships
Developing
conclusions

88. CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/tcp909/132665279/sizes/l//

89. CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/ableman/283139915/sizes/l/in/photostream/

90. Construct
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/familymwr/4989283309/sizes/l/in/photostream/

91. Construct

92. Construct
Original photograph by Buffy Hamilton

93. Construct
Original photograph by Buffy Hamilton

94. Construct
Research Reflections Roundtable: http://theunquietlibrarian.wordpress.com/2012/04/23/inquiry-formative-assessment-and-student-learning-
communities-research-reflections-roundtable/

95. express
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/clappstar/3588547020/sizes/l/in/faves-10557450@N04/

96. Shared Learning
Express
Authenticity/
Digital Rigor
Creativity

97. Express

98. Express

99. Express

100. Express

101. Express

102. Express

103. Express

104. Express

105. Express

106. Express

107. Express

108. Express

109. Express

110. Express

111. Express

112. Express

113. Express

114. Express
Original photo by Buffy Hamilton

115. Express
Original photo by Buffy Hamilton

116. reflect
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcassaa/662891484/sizes/o/

117. Reflect
process product

118. Formative
Reflect
Self Summative

119. Standards for the 21st Century Learner
in Action
Original photography by Buffy J. Hamilton

120. Presentations/
Portfolios
Performance
Reflect
Text Digital
Compositions compositions
Ticket out the
door

121. Reflect
Source: http://teachingsagittarian.com/2009/03/voicethread-as-a-digital-portfolio/

122. Reflect

123. Reflect

124. Reflect

125. Reflect

126. Reflect

127. learning
communities
formed
around
talents and
passions
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/shifted/5615813343/sizes/l/in/faves-
10557450@N04/

128. Content Creation

129. Content Creation
Source: http://www.libraryasincubatorproject.org/?p=3335

130. Art
Read more at http://bit.ly/Lk3hpc

131. Art
Read more at http://bit.ly/Lk3hpc

132. Art
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/ucsblibraries/5011395065/sizes/l/in/set-
72157624886929463/

133. Blogging

134. Blogging

135. Blogging

136. Blogging

137. Skype
Read more at http://bit.ly/x0f3OU

138. Skype
Read more at http://bit.ly/x0f3OU

139. Video

140. Video

141. Video

142. Video

143. Makerspace
Source: http://www.libraryasincubatorproject.org/?p=3335

144. Makerspace
Source: http://connectedlearning.tv/kylie-peppler-high-tech-textile-design-learning-doing-and-making and
http://digitalis.nwp.org/site-blog/high-tech-textile-design-september-20-20/4258

145. Makerspace
Learn more: http://prairiecreeklibrary.blogspot.com/2012/09/anime-and-so-much-more-club.html?spref=fb

146. Source: http://www.saclibrary.org/?pageId=1599
Possibilities: Sacramento
Public Libraries iStreet Press

147. Public Libraries iStreet Press
Possibilities: Sacramento
Sources: http://www.libraryasincubatorproject.org/?p=3856 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHwLjoecaKE&feature=player_embedded

148. Source: http://acrl.ala.org/techconnect/?p=1403
Possibilities: DeLaMare Science & Engineering
Library at the University of Nevada, Reno

149. CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/dstl_unr/8033384867/sizes/l/in/photostream/
Possibilities: DeLaMare Science & Engineering
Library at the University of Nevada, Reno

150. Collection

151. Collection
Photo used with permission from Andy Plemmons; read more at http://bit.ly/JDuHUC and
http://bit.ly/JDuHUC

152. Collection
Photo used with permission from Andy Plemmons; read more at http://bit.ly/JDuHUC
and http://bit.ly/JDuHUC

153. Collection
Original photo by Buffy Hamilton

154. People

155. People
Original photo by Buffy Hamilton

156. People

157. People

158. Play
Original photo by Buffy Hamilton

159. cc licensed photo by The Shifted Librarian: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shifted/3360687295/

160. “The future of school libraries and school librarians
hangs in the balance. But the final decision cannot be
made by administrators or school boards alone. It must
be shaped and made by librarians in concert with, and
frankly, at times in opposition to those who hold power
in our schools. We must shape the future not to save
ourselves, our jobs, or some sense of tradition. No, we
win this victory for our students.”
Dr. R. David Lankes
School Libraries: What's Now, What's Next, What's Yet to Come
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/96705

161. resistance
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/bombeador/527138742/sizes/l/in/photostream/

162. Original photograph by Buffy Hamilton

163. embrace the
wobbles
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/one_and_only_me/577331758/sizes/l/

164. joyfully embrace the messiness of
participatory learning
cc licensed flickr photo by harold.lloyd (won't somebody think of the bokeh?):
http://flickr.com/photos/safetylast/4068790874/

165. leave your
learning
silo
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/eirikref/727551264/sizes/l/in/photostream/

166. embrace pivot points
for positive change to
build a new vision
for librarianship
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/ariaphotography/5176411008/sizes/l/in/photostream//

167. change and
understanding=
innovation
Participatory Librarianship and Change Agents: http://blip.tv/file/1566813
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcwathieu/2980385784/sizes/l/in/faves-10557450@N04/

168. CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/louisabate/4066174796/sizes/o/in/photostream/

169. participation creates enchantment
CC image via
http://www.flickr.com/photos/beth19/4627578764/sizes/l/

170. enchantment is the nectar
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/da100fotos/490875588/sizes/o/in/photostream/

171. CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/alltoomuch/3389937799/sizes/l/in/faves-
10557450@N04/

172. the library is the story of the people and their
collaboratively composed narratives of library
experience
Original photograph by Buffy Hamilton

173. CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/uneduex/3567430063/sizes/z/in/faves-
10557450@N04/

174. CC image via
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xjrlokix/5097846224/si
zes/l/in/photostream/

175. Q&A
Q&A
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/f-oxymoron/5005673112/sizes/l/in/faves-10557450@N04/

176. contact information
buffy.hamilton@gmail.com
http://theunquietlibrarian.wordpress.com
http://buffyjhamilton.wordpress.com
Twitter: @buffyjhamilton

177. learn more: knowledge quest 41.1
http://bit.ly/R3CgsE

178. learn more: connected learning tv
http://connectedlearning.tv/

179. Works Cited
Berger, Pam. “Student Inquiry and Web 2.0.” School Library Monthly
26.5 (2010): n. pag. School Library Monthly. Web. 23 Oct. 2011.
<http://www.schoollibrarymonthly.com/‌ rticles/‌ erger2010-
a B
v26n5p14.html>.
Fontichiaro, Kristin. “Nudging Toward Inquiry (AASL 2009).” American
Association of School Librarians
National Conference. Charlotte, NC. Nov. 2009. Vimeo. Web. 23 Oct.
2011. http://vimeo.com/‌ 715376>.
7
- - -. “Rigorous Learning with 21st-Century Technology.” Vermont
Dynamic Landscapes Conference.
Burlington, VT. May 2011. Kristin Fontichiaro. Web. 23 Oct. 2011.
<http://www.fontichiaro.com/‌ ploads/‌ 011/‌ T-rigor-web.pdf>.
u 2 V

180. Works Cited
Harada, Violet. “Self-assessment: Challenging students to take charge of
learning.” School Library Monthly 26.10 (2010): 13-15. Academic Search
Complete. Web. 23 Oct. 2011. < http://proxygsu-
sche.galileo.usg.edu/‌ogin?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/‌
l
login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=51003266&site=ehost-live >.
Kawasaki, Guy (2011). Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and
Actions (Kindle Locations 116-118). Portfolio. Kindle Edition.
Stripling, Barbara. “Assessing Information Fluency: Gathering Evidence of
Student Learning.” 21st Century Learning in School Libraries. Ed. Kristin
Fontichiaro. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited, 2009. 166-170. Print.
- - -. “Teaching Students to Think in the Digital Environment: Digital Literacy
and Digital Inquiry.” School Library Monthly 26.8 (2010): n. pag. School
Library Monthly. Web. 23 Oct. 2011.
<http://www.schoollibrarymonthly.com/‌ rticles/‌ tripling2010-
a S
v26n8p16.html>.