Commentary, Volume 16 Issue 4, 2002

The Patchwork TL

Lesa Cornock and Ruth Jones

Lesa Cornock is teacher librarian at Braitling Primary School.  Ruth Jones is teacher librarian at Larapinta Primary School.  Both are active ASLA members on the local, Territory and national scene.

(The views expressed in articles are those of the author(s) concerned and do not necessarily represent the views of ASLA.)

Do you ever look in the mirror and see yourself as a patchwork quilt? A unique item made up of a multitude of layers, colours, tones and patterns..

A range of similes, metaphors, comparisons, titles and imagery are used to help us make meaning or get a creative insight into our roles as teacher librarians. A quick scan of back issues of ACCESS and the School Libraries web site reveals various 'creative' interpretations of our roles including -

• The TL as a bowerbird - Respondents in Henri and Hay's research What's in a name?: a metaphorical analysis offered the bowerbird metaphor with the implications of the comparison ranging from complimentary to derogatory. Positive imagery equated the bowerbird's habits with the teacher librarian's such as collecting everything with flair, resourcefulness and covering much territory in order to fill its nest. Negative imagery included teacher librarians as hoarders, isolated, low profile, territorial and possessive.
• The TL as a hybrid - "Another image or metaphor that arose in discussion with teacher librarians in the study was that of a hybrid. It is perhaps this image which captures most vividly the inherent dualistic nature of the profession" (Mallan, Lunden and Elliot Burns, p30). So are we to see ourselves as flowers that have been carefully cultivated to embody the better of two species?
• The TL as a dispenser - The profile of Jan Sismey in the last issue of ACCESS, described her role as a dispenser who "is there to open up the world.not to be a gatekeeper to keep the learner out. Her job is to welcome them into a world of wonder to make them independent, courageous explorers" (McLoughlin, p33).

Over the years we have heard teacher librarians likened to many things - firecrackers, dragons, witches, walking encyclopedias, fountains of knowledge, navigators, and even miracle workers. However, we feel we have stumbled on new ground with our interpretation!

Whilst drinking coffee among patchwork patterns, materials, magazines and blocks we started drawing parallels between these works of art and our roles as primary school teacher librarians. As we reflected on the similarities between the two we were amazed at the analogies that we could draw upon. Through these pages we wish to share with you our light hearted yet thought provoking images on how we see our complex roles as primary school teacher librarians.

The role of teacher librarian is often viewed as a quilt of two colours, the teacher one colour and the librarian another colour. There are instances where the two colours are not in harmony, with one colour dominating the other or struggling for space. Mallan, Lunden and Elliot Burns (2001) offer an image of a hybrid, or dual coloured quilt, as "a strong, positive image of a teacher librarian who draws from two different yet compatible professions" (p30).

However, when we look in the mirror and see ourselves as Patchwork TLs, we do not see just the two colours. Instead we see a kaleidoscope of colours that are grouped and arranged to create an overall effect and impact. When we stand back we can see that each patchwork quilt is made up of individual blocks, as is our complex position. As with a sampler quilt each block is constructed differently using different skills and techniques, some blocks requiring more time and effort than others.

The range of fabrics and blocks for a patchwork quilt are only limited by the imagination, the amount of time one is willing to put in to its creation and its eventual function in life. As we see it the Patchwork TL can be made up of a varying number of blocks depending on these factors. Eventually when all the blocks are sewn together they are bound within a border known as the school. We must stress that like patchwork quilts no two teacher librarians are the same - quilts vary in size, complexity, number and size of blocks.

Within our roles as teacher librarians we counted up to twelve distinct blocks:

• the Information Literacy block
• the Information Technology block
• the Library Service block
• the Curriculum block
• the Student Management block
• the Collection Development block
• the Professional Association block
• the Knowledge Management block
• the Teacher block
• the Library Skills block
• the Literature block
• the Self Preservation block

Each of these blocks are cut and pieced differently. Some blocks have more pieces than others. However, to ensure harmony and overall effect each block is made up of fabrics common to other blocks. So what do these blocks look like? Let's take a look at just some of them.

The Information Literacy Block

Let's start with the easiest block, something all teacher librarians know, the Information Literacy Process block. This block is made up of six triangular pieces and is the cornerstone in our quilt.

Each piece of this block represents an information literacy stage - defining, locating, selecting, using, presenting and evaluation. The fabrics of this block set the tone for the rest of the quilt.

This block is not unique to the Patchwork TL, and as Linda Langford argued in her article Information Literacy - whose view, whose responsibility, and does it really matter? nor should it be - "Let's get away from the view that we as teacher librarians are solely responsible for information literacy outcomes. Let's reshape our responsibilities.and work towards empowering others" (p24) This block recurs, or should recur, in all teaching programs throughout the school. The fabrics that make up this block are available to all teachers.

The Information Technology Block

The Information Technology block is often complex and runs the chance of dominating the quilt or ruining the overall effect. Like the Information Literacy block this is not unique to the Patchwork TL.

For years the Patchwork TL has advocated for others to appreciate the links and bonds this block shares with the information literacy block. This block is made up of mostly the same fabrics but it is put together differently to create a new pattern.

The technique and pattern for this block may be new to many experienced quilters, however, old skills can be reapplied to create new life - "We must reimage ourselves as proactive, knowledgeable leaders who are the educational interfaces between ICT and learning" (Langford, 2001, p1).

The Library Services Block

Fabrics that represent collecting resources, circulation, reshelving, displays, juggling budgets, supervising support staff, enquiries and just-in-time requests are pieced together to form this regular and time honoured block. The pieces in this block can often pale against the more dynamic and louder blocks, but this block is essential for the overall patterns and textures that are emerging.

The Curriculum Block

The ability to incorporate this block into the quilt shows that the TL is skilled at their craft with an excellent understanding of how patterns, colours and tones work together. Alternatively this block could become an inner border setting the structure and highlighting feature fabrics and designs.

The Professional Associations Block

The wedding ring pattern most closely represents the interlocking patterns that make up professional associations. This is a spiritual pattern that symbolises networking. This is also a perfect block for a sampler quilt. Professional Associations are like groups of friends networking together to share ideas, skills and stories. A friendship quilt comes about in the same way with a number of friends or colleagues contributing their time and expertise to construct and sew blocks.

The Knowledge Management Block

Not your traditional block, however, this cutting edge pattern is being seen more and more with the Patchwork TL. "In information rich learning environments teacher librarians are potentially becoming knowledge navigators, seeking and searching for information and endeavouring to communicate and make meaning" (Bonanno, p8).

Student Management Block

Another complex block which requires careful consideration of tone. Student management includes building values and responsibilities, behaviour management and inclusion strategies for students with special needs. Maybe you need to incorporate special textured fabrics for the visually impaired student or consider soothing colours for the emotionally charged.

The Literature Block

This could take a classic, contemporary or crazy mixed pattern. Is this block a major focus of your quilt or a diversion? Is it attractive, providing patterns of interest to all your students? Are the fabrics integrated in other blocks of your quilt?

The Self Preservation Block

This might take any design. This block may have your favourite colours and patterns.

If patchwork quilts are made up of numerous fabrics, then the fabric of the teacher librarian's roles are their skills. Skills of service, engagement, dissemination, facilitation, organisation, communication, management, leadership, motivation are the fabrics that make up the Patchwork TL.

The analogies that can be drawn between teacher librarians and patchwork quilts are endless and make interesting food for thought.

• Some patchwork quilts incorporate traditional patterns that have been handed down through the ages. This does not detract from their beauty, as they can still be vibrant and magical. However there are those quilters who like to 'think outside the square' (or blocks in this case) and strike out with new and innovative block patterns.
• On occasions patchwork quilts need to be taken apart. The blocks are then reused to create a new quilt with new blocks and borders added.
• A patchwork quilt is a unique and complex item. No two quilts can be identical. Often it takes many looks at the patchwork to identify and appreciate the patterns that are created as the blocks are put together.

Creating a quilt is also a time for celebrating success. As Patchwork TLs we must celebrate our successes along the way. Celebrate the design, the piecing as well as the completion of each quilt. Celebrate the passion you have brought to its creation.

Take a look now at your own patchwork quilt. Look at the intricate patterns, the skills you have brought to it. Look at how it is part of a repeating pattern, a kaleidoscopic whirl of the ever-changing, dynamic, challenging aspects of you and your role within the whole school.

Glossary (for patchwork novices) -

Blocks - a collection of fabric pieces sewn together to create a pattern.

Border - strip of varying width around the outside.

Friendship quilt - a quilt that is constructed of blocks made by different people.

Sampler quilt - a collections of blocks showcasing different patchwork patterns.

References

Bonanno K. (2002) "The mind - your greatest, creative asset" ACCESS, 16(1), pp 8-12.

Henri J. and Hay L. (1997) "What's in a name?: a metaphorical analysis" School Libraries http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/schoollibraries/scan/16_1997/164res.htm

Langford L. (2001) "Editorial" ACCESS, 15(1), p 1.

Langford L. (2002) "Information literacy - whose view, whose responsibility, and does it really matter?" ACCESS, 16(3), pp21-24.

Mallan K., Lundin R. and Elliot Burns R. (2001) "Exploring the impact of new technologies on the role of teacher librarians" ACCESS 15(1), pp 29-32.

McLoughlin M. (2002) "Profile - Jan Sismey" ACCESS, 16(3), pp 33.