HIT: SEC Class scheduling policies/problems, part 2

["Pantginis, Tina" <Pantginis@MAMKSCHOOLS.ORG>]

Tina,
        I am also in the boat of "new kid on the block"--even worse I came
from elementary where I am used to working with teachers.  Teachers as
the
HS were used to scheduling with my secretary and not even talking with
the
librarian.  But YES I do schedule two classes at a time.  (I put my foot
down at 3).  Most of these teachers know the resources better than I do,
some just use encyclopedias. I really hope to get more closely involved
with teachers and planning but this is a separate issue from scheduling.
I am assuming you have the space available so my opinion is let them
come.
Sounds like you have at least won the battle of getting them to schedule
at all.
Carol Harma, Springfield High, Springfield, OR
charma@sps.lane.edu

Our library is always very busy with multiple classes, and I can't
imagine
holding off teachers who are ready to have their students use the
library.
What seems to work fairly well is that when a second teacher wants to
come
it, I tell him exactly what the expectations are of the first teacher
and
what I have "committed" to already.  Often the second teacher will agree
to
stagger the time when he comes in (perhaps 15 minutes into the period),
and
I am also very clear about having each class sit on opposite sides of
the
room.  That way the teachers can also work with their respective
students.
Good luck with your discussions.  Please post some of your results as we
can
always learn from each other.   Happy holidays!  Marie

Tina,
I understand your concerns but I see the teachers' side of it also.  I
am in a middle school and I try to work with the classes but many of
the classes are able to do a pretty good job on their own with the
help of their teacher.  Remember, in  your school, they are probably
used to doing this. Maybe you could let the second class in with the
proviso that they will have to be on their own.  If their project
requires a lot of help from you - like pulling special books or
magazines - then they might have to schedule another day.  But if they
are just using basic kinds of materials maybe you should let them in.
If you're too restrictive they may end up not coming at all and that's
not what you are trying to do.  Good luck.
Jan
Janice Ziglin
Library Media Specialist
Elm Grove, Wisconsin

Tina:  I am now in a junior high library--1000 kids--but I worked in a
high
school library for 14 years--same problems, especially with social
studies.
What I do now:  I have two very large rooms connected by a hall.  One
room
is all fiction with the 400's, 800's, 920's, 921's.  Checkout counter
here,
all automated.  On the counter is a weekly scheduler with periods
blocked
off.  This schedule is for the entire year.95% of the time these are the
reading classes in for checkout.  The second room, holding 75 students
and
the rest of the collection, is basically for research.  More computers,
Internet, etc. Again, there is a yearly schedule all set out.  The rule:
First come, first serve.
My 2 clerks can handle checkout in the fiction room without me so I can
handle two simultaneously, but two classes in the same room?  Tried it
once
and went bonkers.  Stick to your guns--these people need to plan well
ahead.
You could try a cart of needed resources checked out to the teacher and
sent
down to the
class for research in the classroom.  I have attempted two research
classes
in the two different rooms at the same time, but I have extremely
competent
clerks and teachers who know they must carry their share of the burden.
Hope this helps.

I orginally had the one class at a time policy. After becoming a Library
Power Librarian, I was encouraged to have multiple activities going on
at
the same time. My schedule had four sections for one period, represnting
the differrnt areas of the library. The section that was pink coded
represented where and with whom I would be working. I only pink coded
the
classes whose teachers had collaborated with me. If another teacher
wanted
to be reponsible for his/her class in another part opf the library, it
was
fine. If small groups could work quietly and independently, it was fine.
(There were no walk-ins though; first I would fill out the schedule for
the
classes with whom I would be working; then the other teachers would sign
up
for what was left.)There was more access for the students and more
collaboration with the teachers. It worked out well. Give it a try.

Deb

************************************************************************
****
Debra Lyman Gniewek                    :dgniewek@phila.k12.pa.us
School District of Philadelphia        :(215) 875-3255
Office of Information Technology       : Visit Our Home Page
734 Schuylkill Ave. - Room 614         : http://www.philsch.k12.pa.us
Philadelphia, PA 19146


I am a second year LMS, so I understand the situation. I think you need
to get your principal on your side. Talk to him/her and CONVINCE them of
your educational reasons for needing to TEACH library skills.  Schools
spend thousands of dollars on books, facilities,a nd professionals for a
reason. You should be used for what you are being paid for.

One argument to make either to principal or teacher is that no one is
expected to teach 2 classes at once. How would a classroom teacher like
to be jteaching a class and have another class, or even a few students
wandering around or interrupting while he/she is teaching. NO one does
that but that is really what they are asking you to do.

Good luck,

Sharon
hamer@meol.mass.edu


Tina:  I'm with you.  Complicatating the matter here is that we have
middle schoolers and high schoolers with different schedules, large
study halls, and lots of research going on.  If I have a class
needing instruction or in the first day of an assignment, I either
eliminate any other class coming in, or (because the senior high is
on a block schedule of 90 minutes per class) let one class come in
for half the period.  I have some complaints but not many.  And, to
tell you the truth, I think that when I say no, the teacher will send
in as many as she can get away with on a pass!!  Hope you enjoy your
holidays!  melissa

Melissa A.  Malcolm
Mt.  Abraham Union High School
7 Airport Drive                      "If liberty and justice mean
Bristol, Vermont  05443               anything, then access means
mmalcolm@mtabe.k12.vt.us              everything."
802-453-2333                             --Charles


I too work in a HS Library.  We have an enrollment of almost 2000.  I
have
two assistants, but am the only certified librarian.  We use a
scheduling
calendar and a form on which teachers indicate name, subject area, unit
being taught, dates they plan to use library, class periods and whether
or
not they would like an introduction by the librarian.  We encourage them
to
attach any worksheets, lists of topics etc.  We schedule up to two full
classes plus four students from any class on individual passes at any
time.
We do attempt to avoid two classes on same topics unless we have
adequate
coverage.  I explain this to teachers because too much pressure on
materials
causes damage and theft to materials.  When we have two classes, I will
use
my assistants to help on whichever class is most applicable.  They have
watched me and  I cover what I want them to be sure to cover with
students.
Many times this may just be mentioning what CDRom programs are
applicable to
this assignment and a reminder that biographical materials are located
in
920-921 etc.  I have worked in a former situation where we had three
certified librarians and 2400 students and we did teach all the classes.
This may not be preferable, but it is workable and I can add anything I
need
to for the second class after teaching the first if necessary.  Many
times
one class is already started and my assistants can help them while I
intro
the new class.  I understand your concerns, but when you have a
department
that uses the library well, I would probably try my best to work out a
way
to provide for their needs as you obviously want to do.  Good
luck--aren't
we always working on something to keep things moving in the right
direction
and work with all our patrons?  Peggy LaPorte, Marquette HS,
Chesterfield, MO


        Do you mind hearing from someone who disagrees with your policy?
 I
know that, for some assignments, experienced teachers at my school know
precisely what they want their students to do and where to find the
resources they need.  I think a well-informed teacher is competent to
say
whether his/her students are succeeding in locating and using resources.
Your assistance and guidance are valuable, but there may surely be times
when they can fly on their own.
Cindy Carr, Librarian      Cleveland High School  Cleveland, OK 74020
home e-mail: wccarr@ionet.net    school e-mail: cleve24@edumaster.net
"Blessings and little sorrow on you that lend books; yes, and you that
borrow."    Greeting Card for Bibliophiles, by Phyllis McGinley


Tina, my policy is quite similar to yours. This is only my second year
in the library after 18 years of teaching 11th grade English. I, too,
inherited the library from a 20+ yr. woman who sounds similar to your
"old guy".  She allowed only one class, no dropins, and did no
collaboration or planning with teachers. (However, because of her lack
of help, I sure knew the library from top to bottom before I took this
job!)

There had been no written policy at all.  I wrote one and submitted to
our site-based council who will approve it next month, I am sure.  In it
I ask for one full day's notice minimum and  a written statement of
purpose and objectives so that I have a chance to check our resources
and plan my lessons to help the students achieve the objectives.  I only
allow one class at a time for the same reasons you stated (plus we don't
really have room for 2 full classes).  I still allow drop-ins but
reserve the right to send them back to class if too many come in.   I
want to be able to give all the individual help I can to the students of
one class at a time.  Last year I tried 2 on a couple of
occasions--never again.
I agree with your policy and your justification.
missi baker
greenup county high
greenup, ky 41144