Previous by Date | Next by Date | Date Index
Previous by Thread | Next by Thread
| Thread Index
| LM_NET
Archive
| |
I got some great suggestions on how to attract students and teachers to the library's services and keep them coming back. Thank you so much to the kind folks who shared their ideas! Here they are. . . ---------- From Michigan: I will respond to the portion about hookin em in. One technique that my kids(of all grade levels k-5) and my teachers cry for is called a cut and tell story. There are a few books on the market. Mine is older and I don't think you can purchase it. It is the one thing I do not share as a resource. Also, any gimmicky stories for storytelling, which is a powerful medium from "Story Vine" by Pellowski are big hits. Also, there are a couple of books of draw and tell stories which are fun. The all time favorite in my buildings are the cut and tells. All I have to do is get a piece of paper and the scissors and I have EVERONE'S attention. I love it! ---------- From Texas: This may seem silly (and a little obvious), but one thing I do is try to keep in mind what certain teachers like and might use. Often I will say to a teacher, "I saw this book and thought of you" or "I know just what your class will like." They seem to like the fact that I try to personalize things for them. When they have a request, I get to it as quickly as possible and do the best job possible to find what they need. I make an effort to make time for the teachers. If they need to reschedule, I do it. If they want extra check out times, I do it. I think they really like my flexibility. ---------- From Illinois: My best advice/method would be--don't wait for them to come to you! I tend to practice unsolicited SDI--I am familiar with the curriculum and "favorite units" of teachers and I always point out new resources to them--whether it be a new reference book, web site, PBS program, etc. I find that even if they have "passed" the unit for this year, they will look to using the resource in the future. Then, the next time they are looking for info. for a new unit, they will think of me. And keep working on them--I am very pleased to have a couple teachers who "never" bring classes to the IMC decide to come in for just one project. Word-of-mouth travels fast! This works, too, if you get to learn the students' reading tastes. For example, I have an avid reader who LOVES Brian Jacques. when my new book came in, I saved it so he could read it first. I have also asked him to peruse similar titles which I have received for review. He has "reeled in" friends who share the same interests. I also buy the paperbacks that students suggest--that way they see that I'm willing to buy "cool stuff" and will try other books of "mine". ---------- From New York: The best advice I can give you is to always add the personal touch. When you're new, you need to spend a lot of time getting to know people - students, teachers, administrators, district office staff, board members. Then, as you learn their wants and interests keep your eyes open. People are so impressed when you've thought of them. Something as simple as letting them know the cover story on this week's Time magazine is about a topic they teach or are interested in makes a huge impact. They'll come back with more requests. Ask for suggestions and assistance in spending your budget - titles they would recommend. People love to help that way. There is also a good back issue of The Book Report magazine, May/June 1993 - Building Influence for the School Librarian. Read it! You'll find loads of suggestions of things to do. Don't get overwhelmed - just try to do a few of those things every year. Be non-judgmental - even if it kills you. Volunteer for activities involving kids and staff that you feel would be fun to you. That way you'll enjoy them. (Newspaper advisor, drama club, etc.) Really, just get to know people and let them get to know you, and you'll see that your involvement will grow. Good luck. An most of all - have fun! ---------- Also from New York: * New materials display at all faculty meetings. * Individual memos to teachers on materials (new or old) that may be of special interest. * Suggestion box (staff and student) for possible purchases. * Contests for kids. Simple ones with inexpensive or free prizes. (Guess the circ for a week; monthly reference question; name the author. Prizes are publisher freebies: posters, bookmarks, etc. or free copies on the library copier) * Give copies of most handouts to your administrator. If a teacher sends you a thank you ask them to also let the admin know. Go the extra mile: if you don't have it, offer to get it or suggest an alternative. This is the greatest job in the world. ---------- From Massachusetts: My recipe for success includes the prompt and sure reponse to any patron (student or teacher) inquiry. By this I mean, I try to drop everything in order to fulfill their request. Nothing makes a patron feel more important than to have your undivided attention. A quick turn around time coupled with a thorough answer will get them every time. When I first started in this position (13 years ago), I spent my prep periods and lunch times in the teachers room developing contacts with teachers. When they talked about a unit, I suggested ways in which they could incorporate the library. We started with a small group of teachers and the word of our successful collaborations ultimately reached the entire faculty. I would say the majority of our staff use the library for research projects on a regular basis. Good luck as you enter the library world. Nothing is better. ---------- From California: Lots of smiles, a bright, colorfull, inviting environment, frequent stories read aloud - the teachers all say the kids always ask "Is it library day yet? When do we get to go back?" - Guess I'm doing something right. . . ! I do go out of my way to find items for teachers (our collection is brand new, so sometimes I truly "hunt!") and often email them URLS, etc. I've garnered from LMNet (they are always impressed!). I also encourage them to send down their class art work or projects for display. ---------- From Alabama: For high school: We ask teachers and students for suggestions... not all do we follow up on. Stephen King is popular, but they steal and lose all the books so we dropped him! However, John Grisham, Mary Higgins Clark and other bestsellers have proved very, very popular! We also give teachers old magazines and books and order "just for fun" magazines, like Martha Stewart's Living and Better Homes. We are trying to get the principal to allow our student assistants to run copies for teachers, too! We hope this will be extremely popular. We won't deliver so teachers will have to come in. Check your local public libraries for bestsellers. We can ocassionally find them for 50cents apiece. ---------- From Minnesota: In the Fall, I host a book buying spree for students to the local bookstore. We return to the school library for pizza and to look over our purchases. I do this between Fall and Winter sports seasons. In the Spring I host a faculty book buying spree to a more academic bookstore and we eat at the classy restaurant next door. I pay for the student's pizza, however the teachers pay for their own meals. The books chosen are for the library, and I make displays in the weeks following highlighting the choices. These 2 events are annual and very popular. ---------- From Missouri: Among many things - one which is very simple and most can do is to dedicate a bulletin board in the LMC on which you place newspaper clippings which are about your students and teachers...course works best in High Schools (papers tend to give good sports coverage)....another thing (if you have internet) is to allow students to check their email!!! My eight stations are filled as soon as I open at 7:30. Another thing to try, is to set out a chess board and see what happens. May need to limit play to before and after school hours. Tip: stand outside your door between classes and just be friendly to students as well as teachers. A smile does a lot! Take the initiative. Be the first to smile and say "hello". Notice new hair-dos, clothes, tans - etc! For PR with teachers, find out what they are teaching, and send them web sites, or show them magazines, books, etc. dealing with that subject. Let them know when you will be making ordering decisions, and also let them know you will honor and appreciate any requests they have. When they ask for help, give it promptly and pleasantly - even if you have stay late to do so! Make a display of "Favorites" where you place teacher's and student's favorite books with their name on a sticky note. LEARN names and use them!! People love to be remembered and love to have their name used!! Be interested in what they are doing and in what they need. Last - don't take yourself too seriously. You WILL make mistakes. It is handy to be able to apologize, then laugh at yourself. Never be too quick to jump on someone for their behavior....look the situation over first. Often, students will behave if you make serious eye contact with them. If that fails, one can approach the misbehaving student and politely, quietly, firmly ask if you can be of assistance. ---------- From Pennsylvania: Here's one we try with our faculty. Whenever a new magazine comes in, the check-in sheet has faculty names listed who would like to receive a copy of the Table of Contents. The faculty then know that the new issue has arrived, and roughly what it covers. We send around a list at the beginning of the school year, and faculty simply circle the titles that interest them. Interestingly enough, only administrators have sent back the sheet asking for a copy of an article -- teachers actually come in to read! ---------- From Maryland: I would guess what hooks my staff and students is the type of instructional activities I create. I tend to develop the graphic organizer, worksheet, packet whatever so as to integrate information utilization skills with classroom content. Since the work is done for the teacher so to speak and the kids are involved with meaningful learning, everyone is happy. I am happy because I am getting the skills I see as crucial into the kids experiences. We do a number of fun things as well involving a thematic yearlong reading incentive and special contests. Kids have daily access for book exchange which brings many in on a daily basis. This works with most not all. I have some teachers who practically ignore us all year. I see their kids in other contexts however. ---------- From British Columbia: I offer to small groups for novel studies. I like to do this with grade twos and threes. I also plan literature based projects with the intermediate staff. This is a nice change from doing research projects all the time. Give them part of a unit to spark their interest. Discuss things in the staff room so others over hear and get interested as well. ---------- From New Jersey: One of the things that I have found that works best is to show that you love your work. People tend to feel more comfortable asking you to do things if they know you like to do it. I try and make my media center a warm and comfortable place that people feel welcome to visit. The tech person at our school gives teachers the cold shoulder and they really don't use the lab. I've been able to help them in a very limited way because of time and resources, but they know they can come to me and ask for help. ---------- Thanks again, folks! This is yet another example of the power of the Internet -- the exchange of ideas. Gabe :-) _______________________________________________________________ GABE GANCARZ, TEACHING ASSISTANT UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS Learning Resources [Computer] Lab 2nd-Year Student GRAD SCHOOL OF L.I.S. GRADUATING MAY '98 http://www.lis.uiuc.edu/~gancarz/ Ph. (217) 333-9890 gancarz@alexia.lis.uiuc.edu Fax (217) 244-3302 _______________________________________________________________ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-= To quit LM_NET (or set NOMAIL or DIGEST), Send an email message to listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST * NOTE: Please allow time for confirmation from Listserv. For LM_NET Help & Archives see: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=