TARGET: Who's the "Librarian"

["Linda M. Kurtz" <lkurtz@ATGNET.COM>]

Hi Everybody,
I was cleaning the computer area of the library (we have 11 computers for
Internet, CD_ROM searching and wordprocessing) and found a copy of an
article that was to be printed in the Middle School newspaper.  It was an
interview with the new "librarian."  The person being interviewed was my
library assistant.  She is indeed new and a wonderful asset in this
continuously busy LMC serving grades 5 - 12.  She performs clerical duties
and ready reference - she helps students find books using the automated
catalog.  She is, however, not a librarian.  I sent a note to the writing
teacher with the article, explaining the difference.

My questions are, how would you have handled this? And, without appearing to
be elitist, how do you make students and teachers aware that the library
media specialist (or librarian) is a REAL teacher, who has an MLS and
teaching certification and the other person in the room, while helpful and
wonderful, is not the librarian?  I have introduced her as my assistant,
mentioned her as my assistant in memos to the faculty, yet a large number of
faculty and almost all the students do not know the difference between the
librarian and the library assistant.

This is my third year at Rye Neck.  Previously, I was a public librarian and
the situation is not much difference there.  The library users generally
thought anyone working in the library was a librarian.

I'll post a HIT when I get some answers.  TIA:-)
Linda M. Kurtz
lkurtz@atgnet.com
Library Media Specialist
Rye Neck Middle School / High School Library
300 Hornidge Rd.
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
(914)698-6171
The love of books is a love which requires neither justification, apology,
nor defense.