Jill Egan, Librarian
I love being a librarian. Each day is different as I strive to meet the individual and group needs of students and staff. Since 1992, I have worked with all ages in school libraries, from preschool to 12th grade. In that time, there have been huge changes in the way the world gathers, produces and uses information, and librarians have been at the helm, guiding institutions and patrons through the new developments. I am excited for the future of the library as well, as we discover new media and technologies that help us gain knowledge, satisfy curiosity, think critically and creatively.
Personal history
My teaching experience began in a location in which I never expected to live- on the island of Maui, in the state of Hawaii. It was a big change from my upbringing in the state of New York, thousands of miles away. It was also a period of change for school libraries: online cataloging, DVDs, CD-roms, databases, email and the worldwide web all revolutionized the way the library operated, and I worked hard to keep pace with the advances. It was also a time of great personal changes: in 1994 I married my best friend from university and now fellow educator, Doug Catanzaro. Our experience of living and working in Hawaii piqued our interest in diverse cultures, and this was what led us the to world of international schools.
In 1996, we went to work for the Saudi Aramco Oil Company, teaching at a K-9 school in Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia. In many ways, this school was a teacher's dream: we had small classes and bountiful resources. In the library, I saw each class twice a week, once for literacy instruction, once for research skills instruction. There were plenty of opportunities to collaborate with teachers, and lots of support for special projects, like Battle of the Books Competitions, Library Sleep-Overs, Book Clubs and Character Days.
In 1996, we went to work for the Saudi Aramco Oil Company, teaching at a K-9 school in Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia. In many ways, this school was a teacher's dream: we had small classes and bountiful resources. In the library, I saw each class twice a week, once for literacy instruction, once for research skills instruction. There were plenty of opportunities to collaborate with teachers, and lots of support for special projects, like Battle of the Books Competitions, Library Sleep-Overs, Book Clubs and Character Days.
Our first daughter was born in 2000, and with the second child coming in 2002, we decided to return to New York to be near our families while the babies were young. I spent four amazing years at home with the girls, grateful to be a large part of their early development. But I couldn't abandon my passion for reading either, so I took a weekend job at Borders Book Store to stay current with the publishing world. I still draw upon this experience, as I learned a bit about product promotion and customer service.
By 2006, our daughters were old enough to be enrolled in school programs, and we were ready to be back overseas. It was our good fortune to be hired by the International School of Stavanger in Norway. My experience here has been a rewarding challenge of managing two library facilities, serving a population of nearly 1,000, from preschool age to adults. My days are usually a mad dash of everything from puppet shows with the 4 year-olds to academic research with the IB candidates. I am responsible for purchasing all materials, conducting classes, supervising two full-time library staff members and two volunteers, and generally being available to assist with the instructional needs of the school.
By 2006, our daughters were old enough to be enrolled in school programs, and we were ready to be back overseas. It was our good fortune to be hired by the International School of Stavanger in Norway. My experience here has been a rewarding challenge of managing two library facilities, serving a population of nearly 1,000, from preschool age to adults. My days are usually a mad dash of everything from puppet shows with the 4 year-olds to academic research with the IB candidates. I am responsible for purchasing all materials, conducting classes, supervising two full-time library staff members and two volunteers, and generally being available to assist with the instructional needs of the school.
Some highlights of my time here have been hosting several author visits, renovating both library facilities, instituting a library and information skills curriculum, developing a new class on online research methods, conducting staff and community training sessions, and bringing in a new library management software system, Destiny.
I have also had the opportunity for much professional development. I have attended several education conferences and presented my own material at some as well, and have been directed to take a leadership role both in my school and the international school community.
I have also had the opportunity for much professional development. I have attended several education conferences and presented my own material at some as well, and have been directed to take a leadership role both in my school and the international school community.
With all of the changes and developments in libraries and information technology since I began my career, I now understand that to be an excellent teacher, I must be an ongoing, dedicated learner myself. I am honored to have a job that allows me to push myself to learn, at the same time that I am teaching others to do the same thing.