HIT: Parents (who are librarians) as volunteers, Part 2

["Mary Ellen Fleury - St. John" <mefleury@GNOFN.ORG>]

YES (CONTD)
Provide a limited amount of time, especially ways to benefit your own
child, but make sure school is aware of the need for fully professional
services. Many places who do not have services do not know what they are
missing. Consider serving on site base councils which have more of a
decision making role. Perhaps, offer training to staff as to the
"professional" services of a librarian in the information age in your
partnership school. It might be okay to go in for a while with something,
but make a real commitment to pull back after a certain amount of time.
You might offer to help with library-related things just with your child's
class.

Standardize procedures so that all volunteers are following the same
procedure--which should mirror standard library practices. Volunteer to do
library inservices--how to shelve dewey numbers correctly, etc. As a
professional, you would feel comfortable meeting with the principal to
discuss monies available for the library.

By volunteering a limited amount of time, you can be an exemplary example
of our profession. You may even be able to convince the powers in charge
of the value of a professional and the importance that professionals have
to the education of our students.

From a librarian who feels so passionately about the importance of a
library in children's lives, that even if her position were cut due to
budget problems, she would volunteer some hours: Volunteer in your child's
school while your child still likes having you at school. Then when your
child is in 6th grade or so,  switch to the other school. Be involved as
much as you can in your child's own life.  Volunteering does not devalue
our worth.

Volunteer as a REAL librarian as much as your time allows. Some of these
schools have no sense of what a professional can offer. Visit with other
schools in district who have librarians and ask their advice. You would be
more effective if you did know something about children's literature.
However, you will be learning as you participate in your child's
experience with books. Middle-class or inner-city school? Go to whichever
one has any chance in the future of actually hiring a professional.

Give the optimum to your child's school. They will get so used to
excellent service, they might see the need to hire a professional.
Whatever, you will be helping your child.

Do story hours and things other non-professional parents might do. If they
want the library cataloged, give them a price.

Volunteering is important, and it is not devaluing to volunteer your
expertise. If nothing else, the children will benefit greatly. I see it in
the same light as a carpenter, plumber, or electrician who volunteers for
Habitat for Humanity. What better way to promote your profession, and who
better to build a house? How are those kids supposed to learn how to use a
real library, if there's no catalog or standard system in place for them
to see? Do not you catalog the entire library, but offer advice and help
train some of the parent volunteers.

From a librarian with kids in Catholic school: I made it known that I was
a professional librarian. I offered to take home uncataloged books to
assign classification numbers & subject headings. I also made it clear
that I would not set one foot into the library to work unless I was paid.
I felt I owed it to Catholic schools to begin to educate them about
respect for the role of the school librarian. P.S. She was eventually
hired on: going from 9 hours/week to fulltime before moving on to another
school library!

From a librarian who started her 29-year career by volunteering in her
children's school: Help out in your child's school--storytelling if you
feel like it or whatever they need done that you want to do. Or, one day
every other week. My children definitely benefited from having me in the
library.

From a librarian who "wasn't working" when her child was in kindergarten:
I volunteered, but worked under the BEST elem librarian I ever met. I
learned so much from her. I volunteered, but did more than other
volunteers, for example.  For example, I helped to get the online catalog
up and running. This enabled me to keep my professional skills current and
learn at the same time. The PTA had an accountant who volunteered to be
treasurer, nurses who volunteered in the health room. There were so many
volunteers who gave their professional knowledge to the school.

From a library media specialist who likes having volunteers: I try to find
out what the volunteer likes doing best and promote them doing just that.
Do not be quick to critique the LMC. You may not be privy to the reason
why it is the way it is. Problems may not be a reflection on the library
media specialist. If after a while, you are dissatisfied, stop
volunteering in the LMC--but use your literacy talents elsewhere.

                                -end of part 2 of 4-