HIT: Questions to Principal

[Robert Melgaard <rmelgaard@WEBZONE.NET>]

LM Netters,

Attached is the hit regarding "If you could as the principal/director only
one question during a job interview what would it be?"  Thanks to all who
responded.

Tricia Melgaard
U of Oklahoma Library School
Tulsa, OK
rmelgaard@webzone.net

Questions to as the Principal/Director:

What support, financial and advisory, do you offer the library media
specialist to support her program?

What do you expect from a librarian?

What do you expect of me? What is your vision of a media
specialist?  The question raised a few eyebrows but was effective in
showing flexibility and willingness to work with others.

Ask what mentoring is available.  You really need 2 mentors, another
librarian in the district and a teacher at your school.  The one helps me
with ?s specific to libraries, the other with coming to know the culture of
the school.

What is your vision of the media center?

Who is responsible for selecting the materials in the media center?

I would ask the principal how he views the role of the media specialist in
the curriculum.

I would ask the principal what s/he saw as the role of the library media
center in the total school program.

It also helps to find out something about the school and ask your own
questions when they say, "Do you have any questions for us?"  My first
interview was at a public high school and at the end of the interview I
said, "Yes, could you tell me how the football team did last year?"  The
superintendent and his asst. were bowled over that I'd asked that, and
proceeded to tell me about the better than usual year the team had had,
etc.  It got us talking in a relaxed way, and they were convinced that I
was interested in more than just the library job.

Flexible or fixed scheduling?  If they're fixed and you want flex, feel
them out about how open to change they are.

Is there a written curriculum for info lit skills in place?  Do they want
one?

Which will be your primary role, computer guru or teacher-librarian?

How many students on free or reduced lunch?

Median income of school community?

May I see a copy of your long-range plans?

How open will the staff be to changes?  How does the staff react to
changes?

Why is this position open?

I would ask for their philosophy of the library: is it the "soul" of the
school? a place to learn? where student go during study hall?  The answer
can really tell you a lot about how you will fit in.  Also, ask about
collaboration between the tech and the library aide.

I would ask the principal about the usage of the library by the teachers -
what teachers or groups used the library - how busy has the library been -
what is the level of cooperation between the teaching staff and the library
staff.

What is the library's budget for the next year and what has it been for the
last 5 years?  If there is not a serious financial commitment on the part
of the school you will have a tough time doing your job.  I work in a
school of 1200 students and $10,000 is just enough to maintain the status
quo.  Real collection development and a good research lab require much
more.

 A good question to ask is:   What in your opinion, is the biggest
roadblock or problem that a new media specialist will have establishing or
maintaining a media program in  this school?  Also, don't be afraid to
interview them as well as they you, it is  important that you know the
philosophy of the administration toward media...   Also, this is not a
question but a tip.....prepare a portfolio of your best papers and projects
that you have completed, for example, media collection development plan,
overall plan for a media program, any type of papers or projects that you
have prepared relevant to administering a media program....that will blow
most interviewers away.... Who am I to be telling you this.....Well I spent
28 years preparing media specialists at the university of Nebraska at
Kearney and have also interviewed many media specialist and am currently a
media coord.

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