School Librarians United with Amy Hermon

Supporting Students with Hidden Needs and Talents

·45 min·4 clips

Amy Hermon interviews Carla Collins about her book on supporting students with hidden needs and talents in school libraries.

In episode 357 of School Librarians United, host Amy Hermon welcomes Carla Collins, author of 'School Libraries Supporting Students with Hidden Needs and Talents'. Collins introduces herself as a professor at Longwood University who trains future school librarians after a long career in the field. The conversation centers on Collins' book, which aims to address student needs through a school librarian's lens. Collins explains her research process, including consulting with specialists like career and technical education teachers for feedback. A key theme is the concept of interprofessional teams, borrowed from healthcare, where librarians collaborate with other school specialists to support students. Collins argues that librarians should avoid projecting their love of reading onto all students and instead create welcoming environments for non-readers. The discussion covers practical collaboration with various specialists, including school counselors, reading specialists, and special education teachers. Collins highlights the distinction between safe spaces and brave spaces in libraries, where students feel comfortable enough to try new things. She shares personal anecdotes, such as her twins' color vision deficiencies, which inspired parts of the book. The episode also touches on universal design for learning and the librarian's role in connecting teachers across subjects. Hermon and Collins exchange examples from their experiences, like using the library for student scheduling or sharing resources with testing coordinators. The conversation concludes with Collins providing her contact information and Hermon promoting the book discount.

As heard by us

A warm case for the school library as a shared space where teachers, students, and subjects can connect.

School librarianship is presented as a deeply connective role: linking students, teachers, administrators, grade levels, and subject areas through the shared space of the library.

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Why you'd press play

You will hear the school library treated as the shared room where teachers, students, grades, and subjects can finally find each other.

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