LM_NET: Library Media Networking
As requested, I'm sharing some of the best of Survival Tips that were shared
with me. I received so many I just cut and paste some of them.
Thank you everyone so much!
Amy
Amy,
Check out this page on my site -
http://www.wcboe.k12.md.us/mainfold/supportse/reslib/new.htm
I put this together from several lists sent through LM_Net over the years.
--
Diane Mentzer
Media Specialist/Tech Coordinator/Webmaster
Paramount Elementary School
http://www.wcboe.k12.md.us/mainfold/schoopag/elementary/paramount/
mentzdia@mail.wcboe.k12.md.us
Amy:
attached is a post I sent to LM_Net on 6/20. You can either find the
original post at
http://ericir.syr.edu/Virtual/Listserv_Archives/LM_NET/2001/Jun_2001/msg00594.html
or just read the attachment (which doesn't have garbled characters.)
Alice Yucht, Teacher-Librarian
Heritage Middle School, Livingston NJ
aliceinfo@excite.com
Personal page: http://www.aliceinfo.org
http://tln.lib.mi.us/~rtruxall/media/home.html
It's a long time since I was new at this job, but I have moved to a couple
of new libraries so here's my 10 starting points - not lesson ideas but
tings to remember-
1. Smile (even if you don't normally - or even feel like crying) - it goes
without saying that a pleasant open face is more approachable than a
sour/sad/stern one.
2. Get to know your library staff quickly - find out what has been working -
what has not, (but reserve judgement until you see things in action) ask
lots of questions, acknowledge that you are new to the job but reinforce
that fact that you are the leader not vice versa.
3. Make what changes you absolutely must (ie things like flexible
scheduling) , but leave less important changes until you know the school and
it knows you better. Be prepared for "When Jane was here we did it like
this" ringing constantly in your ears - I always ask "Why?" if the "this"
doesn't seem a reasonable/logical thing to do. If the answer is a good one,
then do it the way Jane did it - if there is no valid reason and you have an
alternative - try the alternative.
4. A display on who you are, authors you like, hobbies, recreational
activities, family members can be a nice ice breaker.
5. Get in and get to know the teachers and ancillary staff, learn names
quickly (last year's school photo can help), lunch with the teachers if you
can, attend out of school functions, meeting, inservice - (even if it is on
mathematics), visit the classrooms - be known as a person.
6. An orientation program that is fun and exciting can set the tone for all
future lessons.
7. Read all policies, programs etc. If there is no resource centre policy
begin to compose one with all the information you glean.
8. MAKE SURE YOU TAKE BREAKS. Leave the library during your meal breaks,
don't work too late - you don't want to burn out in the first year.
9. Have a large jug of water on your desk or somewhere central and drink
frequently.
10. Schedule a weekly appointment with the Principal.
HTH Regards Sharon
Sharon Cataldo
Teacher-Librarian
Kelso State School
Yvette St
Kelso
Qld, Australia 4818
Ph 07 478919390
Fax 07 47740784
cataldos@kelsoss.qld.ed.au
Anyone who has a library and a garden wants for nothing.
~ Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) ~
1. Go easy on committing yourself, the budget and the library until you get
a good picture of what is happening.
2. Don't get carried away with weeding. What you think should go might be
just the thing that a teacher depends on.
3.Work the circ desk as much as possible. This will help you learn names
and reading choices.
4.Get to know the business manager, janitor, school secretary, principal,
teachers, and students. (listed in importance.)
5. Find out all of the forms necessary for you to use and how to fill them
out and turn them in.
6. Go thru the files left by previous librarian to try to get an idea of
what has been going on in the library.
7. Go thru textbooks to get ideas of what will be taught.
8. Talk to teachers (all) to see how they have been using the library and
how they would like to use the library.
9. Watch out for teachers that want to sign up to take his class to the
library every Friday or something. Be sure you know at the time of
scheduling why the class is coming and be sure that it is library related.
Some teachers do like days off.
10 Create a form for teachers to fill out for scheduling the library or
library projects. On the form ask for dates, class periods, assignment what
type of material they want the students to use. When the teacher turns in
the form you might find out if they have done that assignment in that
library before and if there was ample material available. You might need to
borrow from other libraries in your dist.
11. Be sure you know where the teacher's work room, lounge, and restrooms
are and the procedure for their use. Also find out about the lunch period
and when you are expected to eat.
12 Find out what your hours are and when you can get in the building.
13. I believe I forgot to say how important it is to get acquainted with the
collection. If you have time before school starts inventory the collection
so you can quickly get a good overall picture of the library. Spend time in
the reference section - thumbing thru, checking indexes etc.
14. Get acquainted with circ system, catalog and any databases that the
library might have.
15. Get to know librarians in your area and get to know your public library.
I worked in school libraries for over 40 years (now retired) if I can help
in any way contact me.
Frances Knight
fknight@karenesec.net
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