Engaging With Ms. Gomez

 In my recent interview with Jennifer Gomez, the librarian at School of the Arts Middle School in Charleston, SC—a dynamic school known for integrating artistic disciplines alongside a rigorous academic curriculum for grades 6-8—we discussed how she implements the ENGAGE competencies from the AASL standards into her library program. Jennifer emphasized the foundational role of teaching ethical and legal guidelines in gathering and using information, highlighting the critical importance of cultivating responsible research habits among middle school students.

The following questions guided our conversation:

1. 1. What are some examples of the ways in which you are implementing these competencies in your library program?

   2. What are some of the resources in your library program that you are using to implement these competencies?

   3. Do any of the competencies that you are implementing include collaboration with classroom teachers?  If so, please provide examples.

   4. What are some of the challenges that you face when trying to implement these competencies?

   5. Are there any other comments that you would like to make regarding the Shared Foundation / Competencies and Domains that we have discussed today?

Jennifer shared several practical strategies, notably highlighting her proactive approach in curating and sharing appropriate resources through the library's website. One significant example she provided was her collaborative work with a teacher on a documentary project. Recognizing potential copyright concerns, Jennifer created a dedicated webpage with ethically sourced music and video resources. This initiative supported students’ ethical research practices and set clear expectations for responsible information use.

Modeling ethical practices is a cornerstone of Jennifer’s approach. She frequently records book talk video segments, deliberately including a "works cited" screen at the end of each presentation. This consistent demonstration subtly reinforces the importance of source attribution and responsible research practices among students.

Jennifer emphasized the library's role in providing robust resources, specifically mentioning databases like Destiny and MackinVia. She regularly introduces these resources in targeted classroom activities such as science research, career exploration, and literary studies, directly embedding proper research practices within the curriculum.

Collaboration with classroom teachers was another significant component of Jennifer’s implementation of ENGAGE competencies. She recounted delivering targeted lessons requested by teachers, including sessions on source evaluation and bias identification for sixth-grade science and eighth-grade English Language Arts classes. Additionally, Jennifer highlighted her involvement in high school English classes, where she conducted advanced research skill workshops.

Despite her success, Jennifer acknowledged ongoing challenges. One persistent issue is that some teachers prioritize curricular content over information literacy skills, particularly at younger ages, inadvertently allowing students to develop less effective research habits. Jennifer noted improvement at her current school compared to previous experiences but recognized that overwhelmed teachers often struggle with consistently modeling ethical practices. The widespread availability of online information further complicates efforts, as students frequently overlook the importance of critical source evaluation and attribution.

Reflecting on our discussion, Jennifer underscored that ENGAGE competencies, while critical, are among the most challenging to consistently implement due to rapidly changing digital resources. Her ongoing goal is to maintain visibility as an advocate and role model for ethical research practices, integrating these standards into everyday instructional opportunities. From Jennifer’s insights, I gained a deeper appreciation of the necessity for consistent modeling and collaborative integration of ethical practices across all subjects. This understanding will inform my professional approach, reinforcing the value of proactive advocacy and persistent relationship-building to effectively integrate responsible research practices into the school library setting.