With about 10,000 volumes of books, the use of the technology — through the software, called Concourse — has encouraged student learning, mainly with how data and information relating to learning and reading are generated and translated from the resources that are “read and borrowed” by Sinapalo Elementary School’s students from their library.
For two days now, librarians/librarian aides from all public schools on Saipan, Tinian and Rota have gathered here not only to witness, but, to personally experience how this cutting-edge technology works for the lone elementary school on this island.
Currently, all public school libraries in the commonwealth have been using another technology, called LibrarySoft. But for the librarians and librarian aides themselves, there is a need for transition, to increase classroom learning and at the same time professional growth of librarians and librarian aides.
“This is a simple yet (excellent and a working) system. Our work here has become more accessible, and we were able to stress the importance of student learning through reading,” explains librarian Lynn Michael of Sinapalo Elementary School.
Michael explained that along with the software application, which will be set up through a computer server, there will be online technical assistance that is readily available to “guide and walk through” librarians upon or during the duration of the software/program use.
The use and acquisition of technology for classroom learning is not new to PSS. For nearly three years now, PSS has invested in technology and has formed part of its modernization plan that is critical to student learning: the acquisition of 5,600 free laptops, the Rediker data system, system-wide e-rate system that allows for PSS to pay only about 10 percent in communication cost.
Yesterday, Education Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan told librarians and librarian aides here that PSS will invest in the Concourse program that Sinapalo Elementary School library is using.
“We always believe that libraries has been a resource for our students, but we also have to think of it as resource for teachers — and how our teachers and personnel, school administrators and the community can also utilize what we have provided our students to improve student learning,” Education Commissioner Sablan said here.
“Multi-media is very critical in how we continue to collaborate with each other. And we are going to support all of our school libraries with ways we can continue to expand and make use of available technology to advance learning,” the education chief said, to a raucous applause from librarians and librarian aides.
Perfect timing
Dorshia Guinto, who has worked for 12 years as librarian for Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, is now working as a librarian aide for Saipan Southern High School. At SSHS, Guinto has been using the Library Soft system and when she was introduced by the Concourse library software and how it works at Sinapalo Elementary School, she acknowledged its importance and how it is “more advanced that is beneficial to students and the school, as a whole.”
“When I attended this training for Concourse program, I realized that it is more advanced that we as librarian aides and librarians can work with our teachers, schools administrators and students in assisting the growth of students,” Guinto said in an interview.
She added, “This is at the same time a lot easier to use, as well. I am proud that PSS has given (great emphasis) in technology immersion with school libraries.”
Rota High School librarian aide Nelia Lleana saw the importance of the new library system.
“It is very important because it will provide easy access to students, and for us to catch up with what is (asked of us to do to meet the requirement of) the 21st Century Classroom Learning,” Lleana said.
RHS has already an automated library system for its 8,000 volumes of books, through the use of the current Library Soft program, but according to Llean since she worked for the school library for the last five years “there are getting there” in fully integrating the program.
Student learning within PSS has transcended beyond the classroom. For many years now, classroom learning has been integrated into the libraries, mainly among others, through the Accelerated Reading and Saturday Reading Programs.
Librarians and librarian aides have also been support factor for teachers and parents.
“Our public school libraries and librarians are putting together a five-year strategic plan that will be aligned with 21st Century Learning skills. This is aimed at ensuring that services rendered by our school libraries to our students, teachers and stakeholders reflect the advances in classroom learning,” explains Lynette Villagomez, Territories and Freely Associated States Education Grant program director.
Aside from technology immersion planned for all PSS libraries, librarians and librarian aides are also participating in a three-day statewide professional development training centered in updating their duties and responsibilities, addressing the common core standards and reviewing policy.
At Tinian Elementary School, the need for new library technology is urgent. TES library has about 8,000 volumes of books.
“We are processing it manually. We are trying to invest in technology that is why I attended this workshop, and for me as well to learn how new technologies are (essential and critical) to what we do and what our students learn,” says Marciana Cruz, Tinian Elementary School librarian aide.
From “manual” management of TES library, Cruz is optimistic that the new investment for a new software system “would make it easier for kids to access reading resource.”
And for us, “no more index cards” when we have an automated library system, she pointed out.
Goal
Along with aligning all PSS libraries with the 21st Century Learning Skills, technology integration reflects the school district’s Technology Standards and Benchmarks, which became effected in 2009 after the State Board of Education adopted the policy a year earlier.
“With the adoption of the technology plan, the main goal is to align our librarian with classroom teachers and school’s overall mission towards technology and its integration,” according to Jeaniffer Cubangbang, PSS instructional technology program coordinator.
Three years from now, PSS is expected that professional development will be provided to all schools to ensure that every student in the CNMI-PSS will achieve technology literacy by being able to use computers and other technology to improve learning productivity, and performance across all the content areas.
“We are trying to make it happen, as we continue to look for ways to improve and other avenues that we have never explored before, and that could be beneficial to the system, as a whole,” Education Commissioner Sablan said.
By day’s end today, librarians are expected to develop — or finalize its strategic plan that will set the tone of public school libraries’ growth and direction in the coming years.
“And yes, we will be there to support what you all do,” the education chief said.
The state-wide librarian professional development is sponsored by the Territories and Freely Associated States Education Grant program of PSS.
