HIT: Survival-3-During the 1st year

[Joy Hendrickson <joymicah@4EZ.COM>]

THROUGHOUT THE FIRST YEAR
+Implement changes slowly.  Build trust and support first.
+Keep everyone informed about the library and what you offer.  Do this
through monthly reports, a newsletter, video announcements, or a web page.
+Be as helpful as you can, but don't agree to do something extra unless you
really can do it.
+Attend FAME and know about AASL.
+Encourage everyone to look to you for whatever they need.
+Food helps.  Have some sort of candy or specialty coffee available if you
can.
+Don't give up lunch and eat where the faculty and staff eat.
+Don't give up your planning period.  You've earned it.
+Find out what students like to read and suggest books for them.
+Make regularly scheduled visits to the principal and to those in the
district office that need to know you are working.  Touch base formally and
informally.
+Leave yourself open to new ideas and experiences.
+Recruit the classes into the library if they don't come.
+Have your own short agenda of things you are working on and wish to
accomplish.  Try to stay focused on these things or return to them when
other requests or needs are met.  It is important to see progress every
day.
+Keep a copy of all of your memos, communications, and things you send to
the county office.
+Take a lot of notes about LMS procedures and keep them in an organized
3-ring binder.
+Offer a few mini-workshops on topics that interest you.  Don't be
discouraged with low attendance at first.
+Be easy to work with, cheerful, and supportive especially when a teacher
uses the LMC for the 1st time.
+Expect opportunities to come from every part of the school.
+Have an emergency plan for what to do with a class when everything goes
wrong.
+If you have a problem with a co-worker, make every attempt to work it out
with them instead of running to the principal.  Misunderstandings will
occur.
+Be courteous to parents, even when irate, but stick to your guns about
your policies and ethical obligations.
+If you are alone in your LMC, make friends with an LMS at another school
so you have someone to talk with and vent to.
+It's only a job.  You will need your own time to enjoy your won interest
and to relieve stress.

Joy Hendrickson
Media Specialist
Frostproof Middle/Senior High School
Frostproof, FL
joymicah@4ez.com

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