LM_NET: Library Media Networking
Like Harry, I have held off on this issue, but can't resist offering a DownUnder
point of view!
My Year 5/6 students are currently working through a unit that we devised together
called "You can't
judge a book by its cover" and having applied it in its literal sense to books that
they selected
for the library to purchase, we are now exploring its wider meaning. And
discussions have embraced
dress codes and choices.
So, if we are saying, as Harry seems to imply, that to be seen as a professional,
we must be encased
in nylon not Nike, then I think my 11 year-olds have a better handle on reality.
Here in Australia, teacher-librarianship in all sectors is about leadership in
curriculum and
technology, but it is NOT about power, it is about co-operation. And many
librarians have achieved
"integration of information literacy into the curriculum is absolutely necessary
and the well
equipped, well staffed, well funded library" and my principal, and many others,
have gone that extra
step and provided full-time clerical assistance.
But it's not because of how I dress - it's because he sees the financial management
sense in NOT
paying me to do stuff that he can pay someone half my salary to do, and thus
freeing up my time to
do the specialist part of my job like planning with the staff and teaching kids and
running
professional development sessions and collection selection and so forth.
This situation, which is being adopted quite widely now, would happen whether I
wore Dior or denim.
For the record, it is seldom that I go to school wearing anything but leggings or
stretch pants,
which are not at all flattering but they do offer support for my unmendable broken
hips. And yet
our library and its programs are very highly regarded within and beyond the
school. But even
before my car accident, I only ever wore slacks which are so much more appropriate
when working on
the floor with littlies.
At Palmerston, as in many other Australian school we do have a recommended (not
compulsory) school
uniform for kids which 99% of the kids choose to wear in one combination or
another. And no teachers
ever turn up looking like they are dressed for the beach, even if that is where
they would like to
be. We also have a range of tops and tracksuits in our school colours which the
staff designed for
themselves and it is very rare that at least half of the staff are not wearing some
combination of
these, and we ALWAYS wear them whenever we are taking kids out of the school. We
are proud to
belong.
Cheers
Barbara
Barbara Braxton
Teacher Librarian
Palmerston District Primary School
PALMERSTON ACT 2913
AUSTRALIA
T. 02 6205 6162
F. 02 6205 7242
E. barbara@dynamite.com.au
W. http://www.palmdps.act.edu.au
"Together, we learn from each other."
----- Original Message -----
From: Harry Willems <harryw@MIDUSA.NET>
To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2000 11:46 PM
Subject: GEN: Dress Codes
> I don't often weigh in on this type of discussion item and I know that I'm
> late to the fray. In my position as consultant to 40 school districts and
> having worked with the Summer Institute for School Media Specialists in
> Kansas for 4 years I've noticed that librarianship is changing even for
> school librarians. Leadership in curriculum and technology is replacing a
> lot of the clerical duties. Most school boards cannot afford to pay a
> professional a professional salary to shelve books.
>
> I suspect that after the laughter dies down, you will send hate mail to me :>).
>
> Leadership involves getting what is needed in the library to make it the
> center of instruction. That includes clerical help necessary to free the
> librarian to begin exercising power and leadership. Denim may be
> comfortable and actually appropriate at times, but business attire is
> essential when the SMS makes her/his weekly visit to the principal and
> monthly visit to the school board meeting. Do you want it easy or do you
> want it right? Leadership takes work. It takes communication with
> administration, school board and faculty. It means acting and dressing the
> part.
>
> Developing leadership skills is a systemic process. It may take years and
> may take attrition of antagonistic teachers and administration to complete
> the process. POWER is not a 4-letter word. Integration of information
> literacy into the curriculum is absolutely necessary and the well equipped,
> well staffed, well funded library is paramount. If you lack these three
> elements, you have a leadership issue.
>
>
> Harry Willems, Consultant
> Assistant Director
> Southeast Kansas Library System
>
>
> Harry Willems http://www.sekls.lib.ks.us/staff/willems
> Consultant, Assistant Dir.
> Southeast Kansas Library System
> Iola, KS 66749 Fax: 316.365.5137 Vox: 316.365.5136
>
> 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.
>
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