Re: TARGET: Library Media Specialists--Where Do They Come From

[Joanne Esper <jesper@ISMI.NET>]

In response to July 2 message on LM_NET...I also was an elementary =
teacher of many years prior to taking the position as high school media =
specialist 3 years ago.  I had a master's degree library science and =
worked in an elementary learning center (Library media center) for seven =
1/2 years. This was in the 70's! Then my district made cutbacks, and I =
was reassigned to a classroom position, which I had held before.  I =
subsequently taught 4th grade for 15 years.  During this time I also =
took part in the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program and spent a year =
teaching in England.  Three years ago the  library media specialist at =
our one high school retired, and I decided to apply for the position.  I =
quickly scramble to update my Library Science degree and get the high =
school endorsement, as well as taking a national test to be certified as =
a media specialist. =20

This was a leap of faith, to be sure, as well as rushing in where angels =
fear to tread kind of thing...We are on the Winnebago Circ/Cat Program.  =
The high school is the only school in my district that has an automated =
catalog.  Therefore, I had to struggle on my own pretty much to learn it =
(with some good help from the company).  This past year our school =
district began the first phase of a technology implementation plan, so =
I'm finding much more to learn.  This August I'm doing a 5 day workshop  =
mainly on internet, which we'll have up in the fall.

What to expect going from elementary to high school??  Culture shock!  I =
really missed the elementary kids a lot the first year.  These high =
school kids are different!  Likewise high school teachers.  But it's =
very challenging and certainly rounds out your experience.  You'll want =
to get familiar with the high school reference tools.  Things like =
specialized encyclopedias,  SIRS, Facts on File, Congressional Record, =
Issues and Controversies,, United States Government Manual, Current =
Biography,  etc., etc.  You'll discover the right ones as the students =
are doing their research and the teachers planning their assignments.  =
You'll find their research topics pretty heavy-all the teen issues and =
current controversies, etc.

Good luck!  Take it as it comes-which is fast enough-hold your own with =
the students, and staff, get acquainted with a couple good =
representatives from well-known book companies for suggestions on =
materials.  Read professional journals like School Library Journal, Book =
Report, Booklist, etc. Network!  It takes a while to acclimate (like a =
couple years), but it's interesting and can be very rewarding.   Now I'm =
trying to do some groundwork with a view of doing another exchange to =
the U.K., and am hoping to make contact with some possible counterpart =
in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.  Why I got on this =
Listserv.  I also have letters out to a few sources I've heard about =
there.  I' m hoping for some response from U.K. library people.  This is =
not a common exchange, but possible.  Any help would be appreciated.

Gabrielle Downs
Reach me at friend's e-mail
jesper@ismi.net