Re: new job/first week

[Betty Dawn Hamilton <bhamilt@TENET.EDU>]

On Sat, 31 Aug 1996, Cathy Louise Roach wrote:

> can say that my priority the first week of school is NOT circulating
> books.  I know that many of you disagree with me and that is the way it
> should be because I would hope that with all our individual circumstances
> and strengths and weaknesses, we are all doing the very best we can at
> any given moment!

Good message, Cathy.  Yes, our library is *open* from the very first day
of school and a *few* students ask to check out books which is allowed, of
course.  However, I don't *solicit* checkouts or classroom visits until we
get our feet on the ground, so to speak.

Actually, the teachers are doing the same thing.  They are forming
classroom routines for students and generally prefer to keep that
routine for a couple of weeks before adding the excitement of a library
visit -- and I am proud to say that even at high school level, students
enjoy the "out of routine" library visit, whether it's to use the
computers in the library lab or to browse the shelves and check out books
or to do some kind of research.

We *do* try to get the freshmen classes into the library as early as
possible because they are new to the campus, and some haven't located the
library yet!

One thing I must say, though.  I am luckier than many librarians because
not only do we have a full-time adult library aide to help me with
"opening" duties, but we also have a computer lab aide who knows
computers. I really can't, in good conscience, put off ANYONE when my
school provides that kind of assistance!  If I worked alone, however, it
would be a different story.  I know how busy *3* of us stay; I can't
imagine how I would manage with just ME!

                                .----.
Betty Hamilton, LRS             |    |                701 Cub Drive
bhamilt@tenet.edu           ____|*    ~~~~~~.         Brownfield TX 79316
Brownfield High School      \               |         (806) 637-4523
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