The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

18 Ontario School Library association Challenges to Collaboration Challenge Busters! Time barrier Creative scheduling Block timetabling presents opportunities for joint • planning that can include the teacher-librarian. A flexible, open library timetable promotes • collaborative teaching that deepens student learning. Joint assessment of student learning saves time.• Openness to impromptu meetings in the hall • or lunchroom provides opportunities to gather information and seek opportunities to assist with teaching. Limited vision of library program Reaching beyond the norm Consider partnering for subjects like drama, art and • music. Assist with planning field trips related to learning • topics. Arrange visits from community members, politicians, • and businesses to bring relevance to student learning. Offer to trouble-shoot or help "make-over" assignments • that lack pizzazz! Use creative methods to display student work; convert • the library into an art gallery or museum. Assist students in using technology to showcase their • learning. Pressure to cover the curriculum and/or be ready for standardized tests Sharing the load Co-construct assessment strategies with teachers and • students. Assist with collection of formative assessment data.• Reflect together on and assess student successes and • challenges. Plan for multiple collaborations as part of evidence-• based practice. Model effective teaching practices that incorporate • cross-curricular themes. Offer to coach and model best practices for new • teachers. Differing teacher planning and teaching styles (Zmada, 2009) Flexibility Be open to different "ways" of partnering.• Observe each other teach and offer constructive critical • feedback. Capitalize on each other's strengths to provide a richer, • more-rounded program for students. Mounting pressures posed by increased preparation time (Klinger, 2009) (The greater the amount of prep coverage delivered by teacher- librarians, the more restraints there are on instructional collaboration with teachers.) Advocacy Strive to engender a culture of collaboration within • the school. Promote the library as the hub of the school where • teaching and learning are front and centre. Develop a learner-centered mission statement that • aligns with the school success plan to help establish the role of the library within the context of the whole school. Keep abreast of research that examines the negative • correlation between teacher-librarian prep time coverage and student success--make this available to administrators and teaching staff. Communicate with administrators about the • learning-centered activities that happen in the library --make this official by means of memo or newsletter. Create a library website to advertise events and • activities happening @Your Library. Be aware of advocacy associations like OLA, OSLA, • TALCO, CASL, etc.; visit www.accessola.com for more information.