School Library Life with Elissa Malespina of The AI School Librarian
Welcome to school librarian interview #3! I was thrilled when Elissa Malespina of The AI School Librarians Newsletter said yes to an interview. Elissa’s Substack was first recommended to me as a course reading for library school. Every week, Elissa introduces a new AI tool, explains the pros and cons of using the tool in education, and shares a lesson plan for introducing the tool to students. She also discusses news and ethical conversations surrounding AI in education. I’ve applied so much of what I’ve learned from Elissa’s newsletter in my school library, and I highly recommend subscribing to her Substack if you’ve made it to the end of this paragraph without doing so.
This is Elissa’s 20th year as a school librarian. She currently serves grades 7-12 at a public magnet school in New Jersey. You can find her on Substack at The AI School Librarians Newsletter and on Blue Sky at @elissamalespina.bsky.social.
Jennie: Tell me about your journey to school librarianship.
Elissa: I've always known I wanted to be a teacher, so I went to college to become a history teacher. After graduating, I landed a job as a history teacher and spent three great years in that role. During that time, I started getting really interested in educational technology, especially since the library was one of the few places where students could access computers and tech resources. That sparked my decision to go back to school for my master's in education, focusing on educational technology and getting certified as a librarian.
Jennie: What’s your favorite part of the job?
Elissa: I really enjoy working with both students and staff. I love being someone that students feel they can come to and talk to about anything. Collaborating with teachers and training them on new tools is also something I find really rewarding.
Jennie: If you could go back in time and give your new librarian self a piece of advice, what would it be?
Elissa: One piece of advice I often remind myself is that it takes about three to four years to really build a library culture that teachers and students buy into. At first, you might only have one or two teachers willing to collaborate, but over time, that will grow.
And remember, circulation numbers aren’t everything, especially in high school where students often don’t have much time to read for fun. So, if your numbers aren’t where you want them to be, don’t stress about it! Focus on building those connections and fostering a love for learning, and the rest will come.
Jennie: How has being a school librarian impacted your reading life?
Elissa: I've definitely been reading a lot more young adult literature lately, but to be honest, by the time I get home, I'm usually too tired to read as much as I'd like. Lately, I've started listening to audiobooks on my way home from work, and I'm really enjoying that! It’s a nice way to fit in some reading while I’m on the go.
Jennie: Why should every school have a school librarian?
Elissa: There are so many reasons why having a full-time certified school librarian is important, and it’s hard to highlight them all! The research shows that when schools have a librarian, test scores go up, students read more, and they gain knowledge they might not have otherwise. A full-time librarian not only helps students find the right books but also teaches them critical research skills and how to navigate information in our digital age. We create a welcoming space for students to explore their interests and foster a love for reading. Plus, we collaborate with teachers to integrate resources into their lessons, enhancing the overall learning experience. We really are a great investment because we take on so many different roles in the school!
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Thank you, Elissa, for sharing your expertise!
Stay tuned for more school librarian interviews 🧡