HIT:Principal/Media Specialist Communications (Part 2 of 2)

[Tolley <tolley@palmnet.net>]

I give my principal a monthly report which includes:
        A printout of the monthly circulation statistics
        Number of classes taught in the library (flexible scheduling)
        Number of computer use passes brought by students
        A printout of circulation summary for the past five years with
the
current month's circulation highlighted (for comparison with other
months
and other years)  A narrative which calls attention to notable changes
in the statistics,
mentions special programs, activities, problems or successes,  needs,
etc.
        The principal likes this report very much and says it helps her
to present
information in her principals' meetings.  It also paves the way for
requests I may make later when I follow up on something mentioned in the

narrative.
Helen Spoon
Oak Park Elementary School
Bartlesville, OK
spoon@ionet.net
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After 25 years as a high school librarian, it has been my experience
that it is very important to keep lines of communication open to all the

faculty -- send them notes when you see a book, article or web site that

you think they'd be interested in.  If you have e-mail within the
school, a short note or forwarded message can put you in the mind of the

faculty.  My principal is especially interested in school improvement,
so I look for things along those lines to send him.  But if you
establish a good working relationship with all the faculty and staff,
they'll tell the principal about how you function in the school, too.
Make yourself so indispensible that the principal will want to stay in
your good graces.  My friend, also a high school librarian, taught her
principal internet skills.  She insisted on it because the whole
district was stressing technology, and he didn't know about computers
and was even scared of them.  He's forever indebted to her.
        The second most important thing I'd tell you is to make sure
that the
principal and everyone else realizes that you are a teacher/librarian --

a full faculty member.  Serve on school committees that aren't always
associated with just libraries.  Prove that you know as much as anyone
else about current educational theory and practice.  I know that this
sounds daunting, but you don't have to be an expert, just be
interested.  Go to workshops and attend meetings.  You don't have to be
the most vocal person, just be visible.  Then, when you feel
comfortable, chair a committee.  Also, help people realize that, as a
librarian, you have insight into how the school works as a whole.  On
any school-wide committee, you can tell about how the school works
because you work with everyone and see where the conflicts and
cooperative pairings occur.  Any principal would love to  have such an
overall picture of how the school is functioning. I hope this rambling
statement helps.
Elizabeth Lorz, Librarian
Bartlett HIgh School
Bartlett, IL
elorz@aimhi.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monthly reports, direct dialog, and things written on a dry mark board
seen by the principal each time he walks through - 5th grade - biography
lesson, 6th
grade- sports genre booktalk, 7th grade - literature connection on other

books about prejudice, 8th grade - research for health class on drugs,
eating disorders, etc  It is noticed alot by other teachers too, so
everyone else knows what is going on as well.
Charlotte Poole
Reed Middle School
Bridgman, MI
cpoole@remc11.k12.mi.us.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Of all the 19 years I've been a library media specialist, I've done
many
things for my schools from elementary to middle to now a high school.  I

always strive to do above and beyond what my duties call for. I've
killed myself doing  special programs for two schools at once-
a-month pace, I am staying two to three hours passed end of school day
almost every day to do those behind-the-scene preparations and upkeep to

make a good library, and I do all the things Julie Stephens mentioned
i.e., giving the principal a copy of all correspondence
newletter, announcement, reminder, etc.  Inform and get permission from
the administration for all special activities and events - National
Childrens' Book Week, National Library Week.
I Even bribe them by bringing food and information that has to do with
their personal interest etc.
    It is not surprising to me that when Julie Stephens asked to present
her
statistics on library usage to her principal, she didn't want to see
them.  Of the 16 administrators I have worked with over the
years, only 3 were interested enough to come see me in action.
    It is very frustrating to observe and to experience the
year-after-year
threat by many school district, including my own,  to cut library staff.

The Northcentral Association accreditation guidelines
and the non-discretionary status of the librarian's position at this
time are the only things that are keeping the high school librarian job
slightly more secure in my school district.
    The irony is that at the same time that The Northcentral Association

standard guideline recommends at least
"2 library  media specialist for school population of 1,500 and up" to
meet accreditation, it also gives our school district a waiver allowing
it to cut staffing down to one specialist and (at the individual
school's discretion) one libray aide.  My school has a  population of
2,400 student and 200 staff.
    This year, we are under the gun yet one more time.  My
administrators
used every excuse they can find to try to cut library staffing. Their
reasons include the architecture of the library building (no windows
and  the overhang at the entrance too imposing... these are my fault!?
)  and  the library not being more accessible (read this clearly) BEFORE

and AFTER school !  Are administrators and teachers also expected to be
at work at their office/classroom before and afterschool?
    I work till 4 or 5pm almost every day and allow students and staff
to
use the library while I am there.
I gave up my prep period 80% of the time to accomadate classes, and I
keep the library opened during lunch period for students. I told them I
am now giving 185%, I asked how much more access do they expect me to
provide?  If they want more, they would have to pay for the staffing
and related expenses to achieve it.
    >From a reliable source, I learned that they actually discussed
cutting
the specialist/my position at one point. When they realized that my
position is non-discretionary,
they then set aim at my library aide's position. They wanted to cut her
position and 1+ teachers
while adding more campus security aide and extra 20% pay for a 5th
assistant principal and the
student activity director.
    What makes this more outrageous is that they are expecting me to
increase access by extending library hours from 7AM to 3:30PM,  which
comes to  2 hours beyond a duty day.
    I do not like the treatment we are getting around the country.
I still like my job because I have a purpose and this purpose has to do
with educating students.  I hope the administrators will get their
priority right one of these days.
--Anonymous

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