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Hello, I'm hoping I'll feel better after I get this off my chest. Thank you in advance for being here. A local United Way organization is trying to get Battle of the Books started in my county. I thought this was a great idea and I met with my administrators and, after assuring them that this would require nothing extra from the teachers, that I would do it all myself, I got the go ahead. Keep in mind that I am volunteering to perform this extra duty in addition to my regular full load of classes. I serve as coverage for teacher plan time. I already have one other additional duty that takes me out of the library once a week. I already have no true uninterrupted planning time since I would never turn a child or teacher away just because they need help during my "planning time." The library is active and busy most of the time. Good! All of these facts are just part of the job and I accept them. Anyway, I've put HOURS into getting set up for Battle of the Books and it hasn't even started yet. It has been so thrilling to see the excitement of the kids since they heard about it on Wednesday. Last night I had a parent meeting with the interested kids and their parents. The excitement was worth every bit of extra time I've put in. So, what's the problem? After the last parent left, the principal hung around to chat and talk about wonderful this will be, blah blah blah. Then the bomb drops. She tells me that she thinking about how much extra time I will be putting in to do this project. She wanted me to know that she was doing me a huge favor in that she was only going to assign me one extra duty each week while other people will be getting two. This extra duty involves supervising a classroom during the last 45 minutes of the day while the teachers get together for additional planning time they need because of Reading First. Babysitting. After I picked my jaw off the ground I filled her in on the reality of life in the library. The fact that the very nature of the job makes it a double duty job. I am never closed. I offer help whenever asked, even when I'm supposed to be planning. I come in early and stay late to be available to teachers. As librarians we order and maintain equipment, books, and supplies for the entire building to use. No one else has those extra responsibilities. The art teacher doesn't maintain a supply room - the computer teacher doesn't troubleshoot computer problems, etc. We don't go to the gym teachers for fitness tips during their planning period. Every other person in the building can close their door and work when they need to concentrate. I can't. She said it was good to listen and hear about life in someone else's shoes. I told her I would not be able to do Battle of the Books if I am required to do another duty. She didn't say much. I don't think she believes I'd let those people down, and I would really hate to do it. I am so HURT! I feel manipulated and backed into a corner. This apparently has been it the works for some time. I would NEVER have volunteered to do Battle of Books if I had known that I was going to be assigned to another 45 minutes out of the library. She knew I was volunteering to take on a huge project and allowed me to go ahead knowing that she was going to be changing my schedule. What will happen if they stick to their guns and assign me this duty? What should I do? I am heartsick. Thanks for listening. ~Molly Molly Clark Intermediate Librarian Michael Maroun Elementary School Phoenix, NY mclark2@phoenix.k12.ny.us "When the going gets tough, the tough get a librarian." Joan Bauer -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book. To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation. * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/ * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html --------------------------------------------------------------------