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At 09:37 AM 10/1/96 -0400, Alice Yucht wrote:
>Gail -- and all the others who have sent me comments on this topic,
>and horror stories about how the glaring gaps in their own Library Education:
>
>I agree that we "oldies" need to give the "newbies" a clearer sense of the
>realities.
>What worries me is that, as a workshop presenter and compiler of the
>*Elementary School Librarian's Desk Reference* "Survival Guide",
>I hear from/about too many new librarians scrambling to survive in
>job situations they were not prepared to cope with, because their
>coursework in library school implied that all school libraries are
>fully automated, fully staffed, and fully funded.
>We in the trenches know that's not true;
>so why aren't these students being taught about the realities,
>AND HOW TO COPE WITH THEM,
>instead of being shown just the ideal conditions?
>
>I *KNOW* that my viewpoint will not be popular with many Library School
>Professors, but that's tough -- they are being paid to prepare professionals
>who can handle any job situation, not more theorists.
>
>Alice H. Yucht
>

        Finally, another voice crying in the wildnerness.  I attend a
program that protrayed a worse slant.  Those who expressed a desire to
become a school librarian were told that " they would
be wasting their Education." (This was an actual quote said in a class to a
student who already
 had a Masters in language and was completing a MLS.  She was planning to
practice in a school enviorment.  The professor that made the comment had
just been selected Dean .)
        This program too, made the assumption that as Media Specialist you
shouldn't process the material, reshelve the materials or even take a great
interest in the day to day running of the
center. (You would have paraprofessionals to do such trival activities.)
Your function was to make
 policy and think deep thoughts.
        I'd best stop before I become too rabid.  It was irksome at the time
to listen to this. I had already spent 10 years in education and knew
better.  Now, after ten years as a media specialist
I don't believe I settled for somthing less honorable. And I don't believe I
wasted my (spotty and nonexistent in some areas) education.

Victoria L. Rubottom
Sacred Heart School
Emporia, Ks
Victoria L. Rubottom
Sacred Heart School
Emporia, Ks.
rubottom@cadvantage.com


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