HIT: communication with principals

[Deborah Martel <marteldeb@HOTMAIL.COM>]

>From: dcaswe@whitesboro-high.moric.org
>To: marteldeb@hotmail.com
>Subject: communication with principals
>Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999 11:07:44 -0400
>
>Here are some thoughts re your questions about communication.
>
>Always present a positive attitude, stress what can be done, not
>what can't.  Present your problems and concerns, but try to offer
>some solutions, too.
>
>As for techniques/tricks -- I try to arrive in the principal's office with
>a cup of coffee and a cookie, on time, make my point and get
>going.  Principals might be the only people in the building busier
>than we are  :)  I also provide "gifts" for Nat Lib Wk.  a coffee mug,
>tie tack, note cube.  Nothing terribly expensive, but something to
>commemorate the occasion (and thank them for their undying
>support of our program).  Now they look forward to it and the PR is
>priceless.  They love to tell their colleagues about the LMC in their
>school.
>
>I try to keep formal communication (i.e. memos) to a minimum so
>that when he gets one, he knows this is serious.  I do memo him
>after a conversation so that we both have in writing what we
>decided.
>
>My principal is very much an "in the halls" kind of guy.  He drops
>by the LMC at least once a day.  My clerks say it's because this is
>the one place he knows is running smoothly and full of kid activity.
>They may be right.  It does allow him to see students in a less
>restrictive atmosphere and usually highly engaged in learning.  His
>visits also allow us to have casual conversations about issues.  He
>respects our library program and can see that our mission and
>goals are being met.   I do try to meet formally with him at least
>three times during the year and present him with an annual report
>in June.    The same for the two vice principals.  As Dept. Chair for
>the district's seven libraries I meet monthly with the Vice Principal
>for Curriculum to discuss issues.  This gives her a good picture of
>how LMCs connect all learning at all levels.
>
>As to impressions -- I think anything you can do to make them
>look good is good for you and your program.  I always have a
>column in the principal's newsletter.  Just something about what's
>going on in the LMC, new materials, new services, etc.  When
>administrators see you in a positive light, your program can only
>benefit.  We want to send these folks out into the world to
>proselitize about libraries!  They need to see the connection
>between great library programs and great schools!
>
>The disadvantage to meeting too often, I think, would be that you
>could begin to be micromanaged.  We are, afterall, professionals.
>Our charge is to administer a library program.  Give the principal
>Information Power: Building Partnerships to read. Or better yet,
>highlight the good parts and let him see just what is entailed in this
>job.
>
>One advantage to meeting regularly -- when the administrators are
>new to the building and new to you.  Meeting helps you all get to
>know each other.  Once you've established a relationship you can
>get a little less formal about meetings.  I don't think anyone is
>looking for another meeting to go to or plan.
>
>The benefits from good communication are innumerable.  When the
>adminstrator understands the library program it can be like having
>another LMS in the building.  He/She sees the connection and can
>help teachers see it too.  They also see that the library program
>affects every student, not just the AP student or the Special Ed
>student and that the positive results can only be good for the
>school as a whole.
>
>If there are communication problems, we should probably be the
>ones who address it with administrators.  We have the most to
>gain and the most to lose
>
>Sorry if this ran on a bit, but I've been a school LMS for 26 years.
>I've worked with administrators who were good at communication
>and those who were less so.  Our library program has always
>benefited when the lines of communication were open and
>productive.
>
>Good luck to you.
>
>Diana Caswell, LMS
>Whitesboro High
>Marcy, NY  13403
>
>dcaswe@whitesboro-high.moric.org


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