I agree. It takes time to promote the library and to show everyone how
very visible that you can be and how multi-faceted the library job
really is. (If anyone wants a rant on that subject, I have one that is
very up to date!)
I still remember my cooperating teacher (high school) telling me how
thrilled she was to finally get the art teacher to use the library with
his students. It took her 15 years to get him in the door!
Even in my elementary situation (captive audience, so to speak) some
teachers use the library or model by coming in for a couple of minutes
with their class. Some just start the kids up or down the stairs and
don't pick them up either. But I agree that the personal touch (and
doing small things for everyone that you can reach) is just as
effective and will promote the library.
Deb Hendrickson
Deborah J. Hendrickson
Media Specialist/Technology Leader
Westernport Elementary School
172 Church Street
Westernport, MD 21562
DHendrickson@allconet.org (work e-mail)
On Friday, September 17, 2004, at 11:40 AM, Dr. Allan O'Grady Cuseo
wrote:
> I think we have to accept that some teachers will never use the
> library -
> ever. However, I have been successful in getting some of the reluctant
> ones
> in by:
>
> finding out when they are in the staff lounge- and making sure I am
> having
> coffee there
> finding out when they are eating lunch - and making sure I am there --
>
> Now, I don't push libraries - I push me - by being friendly. I listen
> to
> their chats - add comments - so they get to know me as a person.
> Sometimes
> it took year with some teachers to get them to suggest (they
> suggested) they
> could use my services. It is a matter of trust. I have been at BK for 5
> years and there are some teachers - English, for example, that don't
> use the
> library. Maybe they will some day. So, I go overboard with those that
> do ---and that has worked.
>
> In my previous public school - it was a big no-no to ever let a
> teacher send
> a kid to the library to take a test. It was common practice here
> before I
> arrived and I continued with that practice. I have gained some teachers
> because of that.
>
> I also sat down with some teachers (after I befriended them) and asked
> them
> for collection suggestions. That worked also. Each of my 5 years here
> I have
> picked up 2 or 3 teachers who are using me. I also bull's-eye the new
> teachers and establish a mentor relationship - that has also worked. I
> found
> out that some teachers don't have a clue how to use a library or its
> resources - and therefore would never use it for their classroom.
>
>
> Hope you have success!
>
> Allan
>
> Dr. Allan O'Grady Cuseo (Brother Donogh Allan, MGC)
> Bishop Kearney High School Library
> 125 Kings Highway South
> Rochester, New York 14617
>
> 585-342 - 4000 x231
> 585-342 - 4694 (FAX)
>
> acuseo@bkhs.org
>
> Education in the tradition of the Christian Brothers and the School
> Sisters
> of Notre Dame
> FAC OMNIA BENE (Do all things well)
>
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