public and school libraries

[Linda Nichols <lnichols@CSC.SCTBOCES.ORG>]

I have also worked as both a school library media specialist and a
children's librarian.  One of the valuable experiences that I found as a
children's librarian was subsituting for the LMS when they were ill or
otherwise absent.  It gave me a chance to meet teachers and students that
didn't always use the public library and gave them a chance to put a face
to the name.  The Public Library Director allowed me to rearrange my hours
when I subbed but it was a long day--I'd get out of the school at 3 and
work at the PL until 9.
I also found that as a children's librarian it was easier for me to visit
the LMS during school hours since I could rearrange my schedule and they
were pretty much restricted to being at school during those hours.
Having worked in both settings, I think we always need to remember that
the people that we serve are the same and we need to work together.

Linda A. Nichols, MLS                      phone 607-776-7631
School Library System/Media Services       fax 607-776-7226
Steuben-Allegany BOCES
6666 Babcock Hollow Rd.
Bath, NY 14810                             lnichols@csc.sctboces.org