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Hi, all -- I've been reading the thread about library aides doing the job of the librarians with interest, empathy and sadness. I have been in this library only one year. Last February, I found out that my position was being cut due to budget considerations. This facility will come under the supervision of the high school librarian and be staffed with an aide (not quite full time.) I've since found another position in another state, but I'm still dealing with the day to day issues of leaving this school. The last straw (twisting of the knife, however you want to say it) came the other day when the person the school wants to hire as the aide visited me. She's a retired teacher who needs to work one more year. When she asked the high school librarian what he saw her doing differently than me (for her $6.00 an hour vs. my salary). His answer? "Not much." One of the issues we discussed was her feeling that her coming in as a former teacher will make it easier for the administration to justify the decision to eliminate the position. (i.e., they think she'll be able to help kids find resources, monitor kids who come in for study halls and small group work, etc.) To her credit, she does not want to make this an easy thing for this district to adjust to doing without a certified person in this position. The decision to eliminate this position came from, I think, the mindset that sees the library as a repository of books, videos, and magazines. The librarian is the caretaker of those materials. The caretaker function involves making sure the shelves are in perfect order, the magazines are lined up just so, the videos are in perfect order in the back room and all the books are checked in. But, my functions behind the scenes make all the previous functions possible: selection, purchasing, collaboration with teachers, etc., etc., etc. My "prediction" is that this library will be able to function in the caretaking mode for about 5 years (at most) before it completely falls apart and administration has to do something about it. While I applaud the efforts of aides who are put in impossible situations and are doing their best out of love for their jobs and their kids, we do a disservice to those same teachers and kids if we don't continue to educate those in administrative (and decision-making) positions. I didn't do much in the line of educating/communicating with administration this year. I don't know if that would have made a difference, but I'll never know. That's one of the things that I'll work much harder at in my new school. Just MHO, for what it's worth. Thanks for your time in reading it -- I think this is a valuable thread of discussion. I look forward to more comments. Cyndi Gates Platteview Central Junior High South Sarpy #46 Springfield, NE (5 miles south of Omaha) e-mail: cgates@pcjhs.esu3.k12.ne.us =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-= To quit LM_NET (or set NOMAIL or DIGEST), Send an email message to listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST * NOTE: Please allow time for confirmation from Listserv. For LM_NET Help & Archives see: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=