[LM_NET] HIT: Questions for Retiring LMS (LONG)

[Jennifer Vint <jvint@YAHOO.COM>]

Hello All,
 
Thanks so much to everyone who responded to my request.  Many people suggested 
asking about passwords, which I never would have though of.  I really 
appreciate the help.  I had some requests for a hit, so the responses are 
below.
 
                                        
 Original Request:
 
I have just accepted my first job as a Library Media Specialist in a 3rd through 
5th grade school.  Next week I will be visiting the library during the school 
day and talking with the current LMS who is retiring.  I know there will be 
many questions I want to ask her, but I want to make sure I get to know the most 
important things about the library and the program.  I wondered if anyone 
might have some suggestions for questions you think would be most important to ask 
the current LMS who I will be replacing next year?
 
                                           
 Responses:
 
Do you do a job that you think a librarian should NOT do?  I 
asked that question on my last job, and I made certain that responsibility 
was not passed on to me!!!!!
 
One of the first things I would ask would be about the budget? Is there a
dedicated amount each year and what is the funding source? Does it come from
book fairs? (I would hope not). Or does the district allot the funding per
school? Who controls those funds? The principal or you? Does the district
have a library supervisor who makes the decisions and sets the curriculum,
and possibly the purchasing, for the entire district?

I'd ask about the age of the collection. Has the LMS recently done a
Titlewave (or similar) collection analysis? If so, you should be able to see
it. It will give you a good idea of the currency of resources that are
offered to the students. When was the last time the LMS weeded? If not
recently, that may be something that you will need to / have to do.

Will you have salaried staff to assist you or will you be a one woman show?
Are there parent volunteers? This can be either a blessing or an impediment,
so feel out the LMS about how that works. In one school where I worked,
parents were not allowed to volunteer in the library at the same time that
their child's class was scheduled. That was a wonderful policy. I have had
volunteers come and volunteer only so that they could continue bonding with
their child in school. They were not much help with other students and once
their child's class left, they lost interest in other tasks such as
shelving.

Does the librarian belong to any professional associations and can she
provide an intro for networking? 

What are the library policies concerning checkouts and scheduling? How much
collaboration occurs between the lms and the faculty? Is the faculty
supportive of the library program or do they just see it as release/prep
time? Do the teachers stay with their students when they come to the
library? I'd also ask a few questions about the principal and the
principal's support of the library.
 
Make sure you get all, and I do mean all, the passwords and keys to 
everything.  Nothing gets stickier than sitting down to down something simple 
and being stopped in your tracks without a password. 
Program:  Include anything scheduled on a rotating basis such as checkout 
times and also annual events.  Ask her opinion on which ones seem to be 
working and what doesn't.  This is a great time to make deletions of programs 
that do not work(although you don't have to tell her that you may make 
changes!) and start some new ones of your own.  
Included in program:  Is there a book fair already scheduled and where is the 
booking information and contact person?
Basic circulation rules-  Even if you choose to change them you need to know 
what the current protocal is at this location-circulation period, renewals, number 
of books per student, fines or not, reserves. 
Special priviledges-is there anyone who gets to do something out of the ordinary 
and why?  
How the library records are organized?  
Any special expectations from the principal?  
Budget-what is the usual annual budget, are there any other special funds or grants 
you may expect funding from...anything money!
Magazine orders- where is the list, when are reorders due, any recommendations she 
may have on additions or deletions.  Of course, when the time comes you would 
also want to survey your staff and students for suggestions also!
Technology-contact names at central office,  who is responsible for fixing 
what?  Where are the wiring closets? Even if you don't do anything in them, 
people will be asking you where they are!
 
I might ask her what goals she might have for the next year or more, if she was 
there. What priorities does she see as far as program, facilities, staff 
improvement? 

It would show respect, for her as someone who spent so much of her time and 
energies (even if you don't act on them immediately). Just by listening and 
allowing her to reflect, you will learn a lot. The little things will take care of 
themselves.
 
One thing that you really need to ask is a list of all the logins and passwords for 
EVERYTHING you guys can think of.  It will save you some headaches next year.
 
One important question to ask is does she have barcode ranges for various 
vendors?  The LMS I replaced did, and it made things much easier to know where 
that information was, so ordering books the first time was much easier.  The 
vendors already have barcode ranges assigned to them, so the barcodes for each new 
order just continue from the previous order.

Is there a library policy & procedures manual (either for the district or for 
the school)?
What is the reconsideration policy for challenged books?
What is the policy on fines?
Are there volunteers who help out shelving books or with the book fair?
 
Have the retiring librarian show you the circulation system. Take a copy of the 
manual with you and write any or all passwords on the inside cover!!!
Ask for a copy of the curriculum.
Ask for a copy of any policies that apply (ie, lost books, fines, etc.
Ask for a name or two of classroom teacher that are especially helpful. Is there a 
yearbook you can have on hand to help you identify the staff?

Of course you are going to have your own way of doing things but it is good to 
start out doing things they was they "were always done". Then you can tweak to suit 
you.

Ask what she does during the class period. Where do the children sit. Do they have 
assigned seats? Does she do a lesson, then book check out? Who checks the books in?
Ask about the procedure for over dues. Do kids with overdues continue to borrow 
books?

Ask about available budget money and ordering books. Is there one company in 
particular that she uses? This is important because companies keep record of what 
barcodes to use.
 
I recommend inquiring about any special cataloguing or creation of special 
collections he/she may have done.  This can create a lot of confusion 
(eg:  my current library had special author collections, all sports books are 
indiscriminately shelved together w/only a special spine label sticker…etc).
Also inquire as to how he/she handled staff requests for materials.
 
I'm in the same position.  The LMS I'm working with has gone over purchase 
orders (how to set them up, when they need to be opened and closed, etc.), which 
sections need weeding or development, how to complete monthly reports (required), 
which vendors she has been using, and a rough schedule for the year of when 
particular grade levels like to do their research, orientations, book fairs, 
etc.  It was nice to have a general outline of what to expect the first week, 
month, ... 
 
I don't know if you can out right ask this question.  But Who is the easiest 
teacher to work with?

How to do all the computer stuff for lost books, check outs, lesson plans
and how to best communicate with teachers

 
Jennifer Vint, LIS Student
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
jvint@yahoo.com
 



 
 


      

--------------------------------------------------------------------
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://lm-net.info/
 * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
 * LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------