Become a chief information officer (CIO)

While continuing to provide information literacy training, reading advisory, collection development, and other traditional library services, school librarians must become highly proficient users of the online resources in order to promote them and instruct students and teachers in their use.

The school library has evolved into the digital hub of the school with the librarian serving as the information manager, or CIO.

As part of your efforts to learn how to use the DLC Library databases effectively with teachers and students, take advantage of the free training opportunities offered by the DLC.

Links to online training tutorials and database guides are available from each of the database launch pages on the DLC website.

What Works

Last year I took several of the DLC online/phone trainings. The trainings really helped me understand what is in each database and how to search each of them effectively.

— Eileen Ray, Toppenish High School

I need more than ten minutes to learn how to work with the databases. It is hard for me to find that kind of uninterrupted time while at school. Training sessions are helpful but don't necessarily go where I need them to go. So during the school holidays, I take time to explore the databases from home. I like to select a typical student topic and dive in.

— Elizabeth Hamming, Lynden High School

I like to find a focus to guide my learning. If our 11th grade class is doing research on immigration, I delve into the library resources and explore a specific topic. You don't necessarily need to be an expert in every aspect of every database, but it is important to stay at least a few steps ahead of the teachers and students.

— Eve Datisman, Port Angeles High School

Articles & Resources

"Making Every Librarian a Leader"
Walter Minkel. School Library Journal. New York: Oct 2002.Vol.48, Iss. 10; pg. 46, 4 pgs (Proquest)

"Becoming a Chief Information Officer: An Interview with Mike Eisenberg"
Northwest Education. Fall 2003.Vol.9, Iss. 1 (Website)