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Recently I posted a query regarding advice for future librarians. I posted to both LM_Net and EDTECH and received excellent responses. Here is a HIT for these responses: Here is my original message: I am about to conclude a class called "Instructional Design and Library Media Production." I want to leave my students with some wise words to carry as they seek positions as school librarians with a mission to be leaders in technology for all their patrons. What advice would you pass on to them? What would you like for them to be able to do for you and for your students? This is my first term to teach this course; indeed my first time to be away from K-12 schools. I would like to have a nice conclusion for the course and would appreciate any comments. Thanks in advance! Responses: ******************************** I wish someone had told me this.......be prepared to be the computer teacher as well as the librarian! I graduated from library school in 1999 with my MLIS. I took a job in a library this year and am the computer teacher as well as the LMS. It is very hard to do 2 jobs and, of course, I'm only getting one salary! I see every class twice a week so they can get in both areas. Good luck! **************************** I just attended a workshop yesterday with Jamie McKenzie as a speaker. He was so motivational, that I came away with a great optimism about the future of technology and the library media specialist or teacher/librarian, as he prefers. I'm sure you are familiar with him and just browsing around on his web page should get you some great snippets of wisdom! <A HREF="http://www.fno.org"> http://www.fno.org</A> *********************** If your interest in content areas includes the social sciences, you might want to take a look at our product Metanoia. You can get a VERY quick overview at http://www.aicusp.com/Attributes.htm You can also download a free examination copy from the web site shown below. ******************************* Don't wait for someone to come to you. You've got to want it and know how to get it. If you think you "deserve" in-service, you will miss the boat. Realistically, you aren't going to be given "release" time to do anything, it must be on your own time and DESIRE. Find a "partner". Just like tennis, it is always beneficial to "play" with someone better than you, it helps perfect the game. Be open and honest and sharing. Watch your students, listen to their conversations. Have lots of goodies to give away to people that have something you want (knowledge!) Students are often the biggest help. Be passionate! ****************************** There are three things that I try to remember as I go through the day working with teachers, students and yes even administrators. A. K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple, Short. (better than stupid :-) Not everyone knows the tech, the terms, or the library as well as you; everyone is busy with their work including you. B. Do not count on technology, books (reading), and the library selling themselves. The librarian/ information specialist has to pleasantly persuade and practice what he preaches. C. People are important, not the agendas we set for ourselves. *********************** Some wise words to carry as they seek positions as school librarians with a mission to be leaders in technology for all their patrons: 1. Be curious. 2. Be enthusiastic. 3. Be willing to share loudly and joyfully - Look What I Found For YOU!!!! Grab people in the hallway and pull them in to share what you have found. 4. Be helpful - even pushy - as many teachers may not be familiar with coming to you for help - you need to go to them and ask what they are doing. I find out by quizzing the kids as to what they are doing in Science, etc., and put piles together to deliver to the classrooms. 5. Be kind - always - even when someone is not kind to you. If someone is rude, bite your tongue, or slap your hand over your mouth. The silence will be as telling or more than what you say out loud. (that really doesn't have to do with being a leader in technology...) 6. Become best friends with your school technician or computer teacher. Together, you can do wonderful things. ****************************** Couldn't resist this one 'cause this is one of the big issues I grapple with in my position. However, the things I always keep in mind are: 1. When someone asks for help, be as concrete as possible in your suggestions/recommendations. 2. Don't be upset when someone doesn't ask for help, or asks someone else with less knowledge for help. 3. Keep the mantra in mind: Students want to know -- "How is this going to help me get a good grade? (or get this assignment done!) Teachers want to know -- "How will this help me be a better teachers?" or "Can this be done/found quickly?" Hope this helps. ************************** As a fellow teacher-librarian from Australia I'd like to say the following to your students: The amount of information available is growing so quickly that everything is blurring. As teachers and librarians we need to be out there testing what's new, seeing if it is useful for our teachers and students. If it is, do your best to get it for them and model the best way to use it. Both students and staff will need help with information literacy - there's too much information available and not all of it is useful. Get involved with committees that make the technology decisions in the school. Help to design the future direction of technology in your school. See if you can take the lead in developing your school's web pages, involve your students, be the pivot for it happening in your school. Ensure that staff and students know what you can offer them, your knowledge and expertise - know your own worth! We provide the keys with which our students and staff can unlock the future. Make sure they know it. ***************************** this is my saying: "If info is power . . . and libraries equal info . . . then, libraries are power" -- ***?***?***?***?***?***?***?***?*** "Try curiosity!"--Dorothy Parker ***?***?***?***?***?***?***?***?*** Dr. Mary Ann Bell Department of Library Science Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX Adjunct Reference Librarian Montgomery College The Woodlands, TX mbell@main.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-= All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law. To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST), send email to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST 4) SET LM_NET MAIL * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv. 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