HIT: Last two years/Rules

[Carol Harma <charma@EFN.ORG>]

Here's my Hit to date on "Rules for a Funner Life and Being a Better
Librarian".  Thanks to all who sent great ideas.  Some of them are my own.
It's an evolving list so feel free to send more if you think of them.


#1:  It's ONLY a job.
#2:  It's OK to stay home when you are sick.  Sure the sub can't do what
you were going to do but life will go on.
#3. Smile as often as you can.  Laugh at least once a day.
#4.  There is no stupid question.
#5.  Always get excited about learning a new piece of information, no
matter how trivial.
#6.  Remember they are only kids and not quite perfect yet.
#7.  Do the things you most enjoy.  Prioritize the others.
 #8.  Remember tech support always eventually arrives.  Keep calm when the
system crashes.
#9 Know all you tell but don't tell all you know.
#10.  Listen, really listen to students when they are talking to you.
#11.  Overdue books are not the end of the world.  Don't berate students
about overdue books.  It would indeed be terrible if that's what they
remembered about libraries.
#12.  Nice orderly bookshelves in an elementary library are a sign of a
misspent life or a place where children dare not browse.
#13.  Always browse through Seventeen  magazine before you put it on the
shelf.  Always check returned videos to make sure one of mom or dad's
didn't get in the carton instead.
#14.  Always have a plan--but keep loose.  Flexibility is necessary in any
school library.
#15.  Don't be afraid to say NO to committee assignments.  You've done your
share after all.
#16.  Get rid of everything in the way of having a funner life.  (Will
anyone miss those magazines, publishers catalogs, vertical files, etc.)
#17.  Dress comfortably. Wear comfortable shoes.  Don't worry about how you
look.
#18.  If you like purple, wear purple.  (despite the cliche)
#19.  It's OK to delete all your LM_NET messages without reading them if
the day is hectic.
#20.  Work at having fun:  Invite kids in for lunch, leave nice notes for
your teachers, play practical jokes,  bring fresh flowers in winter,  add
food to lessons....
#21.  DO NOT respond in kind to rude people.
#22.  Slip out when you can for a bit of fresh air and sunshine.  Take a
break once and awhile.  Stretch a 10 minute lunch to 20.  (A quiet lunch
time IS important)
#23.  Stop reading School Library Journal (and etc.) at bedtime.  Read your
favorite mystery authors instead.

Carol Harma, Thurston/Mohawk Elem, Springfield, OR
charma@efn.org, charma@sps.lane.edu

Carol Harma,
Thurston and Mohawk Elementary
Springfield, OR charma@sps.lane.edu
charma@efn.org (home)

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