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Personal Learning Networks Professional Development for the Isolated School Librarian
Mary Ann Harlan
ISBN: 1-59158-790-5
ISBN-13: 978-1-59158-790-3
96 pages
Libraries Unlimited
Publication: 3/20/2009
List Price: $30.00 (UK Sterling Price: £20.95)
Availability: In Stock
Media Type: Paperback
Trim Size: 6 1/8 x 9 1/4
Subjects: Reviews:
  • "This little book offers big value for the new school librarian as he or she struggles in—as the subtitle accurately states—an isolating profession. . . . Harlan offers commonsense information about professional development opportunities using both old and new technologies. . . . She also offers advice on how to manage all of this. Related information, hints, and Web sites are set off within the text but do not break the flow of the narrative. An extensive glossary adds to the value. As with any book dealing with technology, one hopes for frequent revisions to keep the information current."
    —Booklist     August 1, 2009
  • "Harlan, a school librarian, explains how to build a personal learning network for librarians who want to feel connected to the educational world and enhance their professional growth. She details aspects of Web 2.0 for those new to the environment; describes the use of RSS feeds, wikis, blogs, social bookmarking, social networking, podcasting, vodcasting, short message blogging through Twitter, book networks, and Second Life; and provides background on the importance of professional development, as well as traditional tools like conferences, organizations, online courses, and listservs. She gives descriptions of many sites throughout."
    —Reference & Research Book News     August 2009
Description: Most school librarians are solo librarians working with little direct contact with their counterparts in schools or in other types of libraries. This makes it very difficult to keep up with trends and issues. Building a personal learning network will help overcome the isolation.

Most school librarians are solo librarians working away from little direct contact with their counterparts in schools and in other types of libraries. Sometimes this is geography and other times it is the lack of opportunities within their school districts or communities to become acquainted and communicate. It is very difficult to keep up with trends and issues, new methods or activities that should be tried in libraries. For those who did not learn the importance of professional development in their education programs, the author discusses the need for the solo librarian to remain current and to continue to find ways to use in continuing advocacy for their school library programs. Building a personal learning network can help overcome the isolation. Opportunities for becoming active at the state and national level are described as well as how to go beyond the library. Social bookmarking, social networks, and online conferences are discussed. Because many lack funds to attend conferences, readers will be pleased to learn that most of the activities can be done without leaving home.
About the Author: MARY ANN HARLAN is a Librarian at Arcata High School, Northern Humboldt Union High School District, Arcata, California.
LCC Class: 027.8-dc22
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