Library Media Coordinators/Directors

[Beth Welsh <bwelsh@CJNETWORKS.COM>]

Group,
        I'm seeking input from other districts with a library coordinator or =
director or whatever title.  I have been attending in-service regarding =
supervision and evaluation of certified and classified personnel.  My =
job description says I am to be involved in evaluation of LMS.  Now I am =
told that state law says only an administrator can do it.  In our =
district I am not at the administrative level.  My supervisor (asst. =
supt) believes I should have input and that principals should welcome =
this since they know so little about what a LMS should be doing.  He =
will encourage them but it really is up to the principal whether or not =
he/she wants my input.   I feel strongly about this issue, since we are =
revising the way supervision and evaluation is done (that it also is =
part of the hiring and school improvement circle).  Most principals have =
welcomed my involvement in the interview and selection process, but a =
couple have "gone it alone" without a word.   I am writing the job =
description which will need final approval from personnel director (and =
probably LEA) since they are negotiated items.  I am going to revisit =
this issue with my supervisor and the personnel director.  What I want =
is some data from other coordinators who may be involved in the =
evaluation process. =20
        That was a long introduction, but what I want to know is:
l.  Are you involved in the interview/selection process for LMS new to =
the district?
2.  Have you been involved in writing the LMS job description?
3.  Are you involved in the evaluation process?
a)  with principal or other administrator
b)  without principal
4.  If so, do you conference only with the principal?  Or with the =
principal and LMS?  Do you just contribute data?
5.  How often do you evaluate? =20
6.  Do you make on-site visits to gather data?
        Any input you can provide would be greatly appreciated.  Although I use =
Information Power a lot, it is at the point where I need to provide data =
from other districts.
        BTW, we are a university community; 18 elementaries, 4 junior highs, l =
high school (2 next year).
We have many good LMS and a few excellent LMS, and a few mediocre ones.  =
Even though I provide lots of information, encouragement, and staff =
development, I think there is need for improvement.  I am concerned that =
if I am not involved in evaluation, some LMS will not give the staff =
development or district goals their full attention.  They will pay =
attention to what the principal says because he/she is evaluating them.  =

        I guess (for me) it comes down to:  how can I improve library media =
services to kids if I am not involved in their evaluation and the =
education of the principals about what a good LMS is?
        If you think I am way off base on this, please let me know.  It is =
difficult to get much perspective on an issue I feel strongly about.
        Please e-mail me your comments and if you have any documents to share I =
will take care of mailing.
        Thanks for your help.
        Beth Welsh
        bwelsh@cjnetworks.com