Teacher Librarians as Change Agents

The TL as a ‘mover and shaker’ within their school
Fullan (1993) defines change agentry as “being self-conscious about the nature of change and the change process”. As a TL it is important to facilitate and focus on being leaders of education reform rather than reactors to it. Harada and Hughes- Hassell (n.d) ask the TL to face the challenge of becoming change agents. This requires the TL not to be reactive to situations but to lead the way by facilitating this change.
The core characteristics of effective change agents are listed by Harada and Hughes- Hassell, allowing the TL to acknowledge these attributes within their own character. The article proceeds to outline how the TL is able to display these characteristics as strategic players targeting change reform.
The TL is provided with an action plan; stimulate curiosity and discovery within students, incorporate ICT’s, promote reflection and evidence-based practice, address diversity and involve families in literacy development.
The TL needs to move beyond the centre of the library and extend their knowledge base into the wider community. This means that the TL needs to be proactive and positive when leading the way as a change agent.

Harada, V.H & Hughes-Hassell,S. (n.d)Facing the Reform Challenge: Teacher-Librarians as Change Agents. Retrieved August 30th, From, http://www2.hawaii.edu/~vharada/Reform-Challenge-2008.pdf.