Re: Where do school librarians come from?

[Madeline Buchanan <mlbuchan@SCOTT.NET>]

I was in the Library Club in high school and worked in the library every
chance I could get.  Because of the influence of the librarian, I decided
then that I would make library science my career.  I got a B.A. in Library
Science Secondary Education (back then my school actually had a major in
Library Science) and went ahead and got an MLS.

Because my husband has been a community college and college library
director as well as teach library science graduate courses we have moved
around quite a bit.  I have had experience as a librarian in five states.
When I couldn't get a library job, I taught elementary school, which
necessitated my going back and getting certified as an elementary teacher.
I found my classroom experience quite valuable in that I can see the
teacher's side as well as the librarian's side when it comes to issues
concerning scheduling, research, etc.

I have seen the role of the librarian make major changes in the past 25
years including the role of technology as a way to obtain information.  The
position I have now requires me to instruct students in technology as they
do their research as well as follow the more traditional role of librarian
in promoting reading, teaching library skills, and selecting books.  This
year will be my first at implementing flexible scheduling and I am looking
forward to the challenge.

If anyone out there knows Miss Darothy Nickey from Mansfield, LA, the high
school librarian who got my started on my career, please tell her hello!

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 Madeline L. Buchanan           Voice:  (205) 838-7620
 Library Media Specialist       Fax:    (205) 838-7622
 W. J. Christian School         Email:  mlbuchan @ scott.net
 725 Mountain Drive             http://www.scott.net/~mlbuchan/
 Birmingham, AL  35206          http://www.bhm.k12.al.us/~wjc/

  W. J. Christian School is a Birmingham, Alabama public school.
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