HIT:middle professional resources for new LMS

[Marcia Agness <agnem@ILS.UNC.EDU>]

Earlier this week I asked for suggestions for books that I, as a new
middle school media specialist, should purchase. I received a few
responses in favor of the following:

Skills for Life
Eisenbergs Bix Six book (Information Problem Solving)
The First Day of School by Harry Wong
the new Information Power
Running a School Library Media Center: A How-To-Do it Manual for
Librarians (Neal-Schuman publisher)
Media and Methods magazine
What Do Young Adults Read Next?  by Pam Spencer
Media Skills for Middle Schools by Lucille Van Vliet. (1984 copyright)

I also received some good advice for new media specialists. Some of which
can be found in the LM_NET archives under Survival Guide for New Media
Specialists.

OTHER ADVICE

1.  Keep yourself organized.  Make lists and ask that all requests be in
writing (even when in the Hall, ask the person to jot down a note for
you). That way yo won't forget!  It is easy as you will be doing 25 things
at once.

2.  Don't let, "we've never done it that way," or "it will never work,"
get you down.  You are on a honeymoon and can change and do what you want.
Do get approval from your principal or supervisor so you have that back
up. Keep those lines of communication open.  When you're not sure...ask!

3.  If you have a flexible schedule, get a white board and post your daily
schedule  outside the LMC door.  Students and, more importantly, staff,
can see what is going on and save you from being interrupted.  Also, they
can see that you do not sit idle!  It is also fun to include daily trivia
(famous people's birthdays, events that happened on that day, and on).

4.  Finally, kill 'em with kindness.  If you have never been in a school
before, there are factions, groups, etc.  Try not to get involved in the
petty gossip and no matter how angry you may get with someone, be
agreeable.  It goes a long way.

Thanks for the responses!

Marcia Agness
UNC-CH School of Information & Library Science
agnem@ils.unc.edu