Portfolio Introduction

“Let us dare to read, think, speak and write.”

 

~ John Adams, signer of the Declaration of Independence;

2nd President of the United States

 

The school library media center should be a safe haven where patrons feel free to seek information and ideas that also foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills.  After reviewing several of the American Library Association's documents pertaining to intellectual freedom, I composed a statement that reflects my support of a student's right to read.  Artifact 1 includes my thoughts about the importance of teaching students to become critical thinkers.  Doing so allows the principles of democracy to be made evident in a very practical fashion. If my colleagues and I do our jobs well, our students will be able to recognize misinformation and draw their own conclusions as to what they believe and choose to read.  Is this not the essence of what information literacy advocates hope to accomplish?

 

Artifact 2 is a group discussion response that I posted online in my library administration course. An issue of privacy is raised surrounding the distribution of overdue notices.  The process as well as the intent are addressed, coupled with how to take advantage of "teachable moments" to educate the youngest of students about their right to privacy. If I consciously hinder students' rights to free inquiry, my mission of stimulating the intellectual growth and addressing the personal needs and recreational interests of my patrons will be greatly compromised.  Maintaining the freedom to read,  beginning with the young citizens in our school houses, is a principle that I value as being essential to preserving a democratic society.