Power up Your Professional Learning

The school library can be a lonely place. These days, tight budgets and fiscal shortfalls have created a new breed of solo librarians--a group of educators who not only have to do more with less, but who, increasingly, also have to do it all alone. Some school librarians are even serving multiple schools or entire districts--juggling it all just to make certain their students needs are met. No matter what the circumstances, however, the feeling of being spread too thin is all too familiar to many Americans. Now more than ever, the authors suggest that support networks are needed: people with whom one can share resources, swap stories, and lend a hand. Luckily, in today's globally connected world, developing just such a network is easier than ever. In this article, the authors discuss PLN or "personal learning network," a group of people who are connected by shared passions or common interests, and who benefit from shared learning. They explore the four stages along the PLN developmental path: (1) consumption; (2) connection; (3) creation; and (4) contribution.