Collaboration in the Library: An Interview with Mrs. Garland, Media Specialist at Southside Middle School

I interviewed Mrs. Cathy Garland on the Shared Foundation Collaboration. At Southside Middle School, Media Specialist Mrs. Garland fosters a culture of collaboration by actively integrating the library into the instructional process. She works closely with teachers and students, making the library a dynamic space for learning, research, and digital literacy.

Guiding Questions

During our conversation, I asked Mrs. Garland:

• How do you implement collaboration in your library?
  
  

• What resources help support collaboration?
  
  

• Do you collaborate with teachers? How?
  
  

• What challenges do you face in collaboration?
  
  

• Do you have any final thoughts on collaboration and the librarian’s role?

Collaboration in Action

Mrs. Garland participates in teacher professional learning communities (PLCs), offering insights and resources that align with curriculum goals. She helps teachers integrate digital citizenship lessons into instruction and reviews curriculum plans to find ways the library can support learning.

She builds strong relationships with teachers and administration, ensuring the library is seen as a valuable instructional partner. Viewing librarianship as a public relations role, she makes small connections that gradually lead to larger collaborations.

For students, she encourages peer collaboration in research projects, helping them develop teamwork and skills in inquiry-based learning.

Resources That Support Collaboration

Mrs. Garland uses a mix of digital and print resources to support students and teachers:

• Google Classroom for discussions and research materials.
  
  

• Curated website resource collections tailored to classroom needs.
  
  

• State-funded databases and digital tools for research.
  
  

• Tech tools like Canva, Flipgrid, and Book Creator for student projects.
  
  

• Flexible library spaces that promote group learning.
  
  

She continually adapts her resources to enhance instruction and engagement.

Challenges in Collaboration

Post-COVID, librarians have become the keepers of technology, managing devices and troubleshooting issues, which often limits their time for instructional support. Teachers are overwhelmed and may not think to use the library.

Time constraints also make collaboration difficult, even when teachers are interested. Additionally, limited resources can restrict library initiatives. Mrs. Garland often faces extra duties beyond her librarian role, making it harder to focus on collaboration.

Despite these challenges, she remains committed to advocating for the library’s role in student learning and finding creative ways to support instruction.

Reflections and Takeaways

This conversation reinforced that collaboration requires proactive engagement. Mrs. Crawford’s work shows that librarians must embed themselves in school culture, build relationships, and demonstrate value to encourage collaboration.

Moving forward, I plan to:

• Engage in teacher discussions and advocate for library involvement.
  
  

• Build relationships through small, meaningful interactions.
  
  

• Position myself as a key instructional partner.
  
  

• Encourage student collaboration in research and inquiry-based learning.
  
  

Mrs. Crawford’s approach highlights that collaboration isn’t just about co-teaching—it’s about making the library indispensable to learning.