Re: Questions about job respect and other issues

[Maureen Irwin <msirwin@HOTMAIL.COM>]

Amy and others--
I think you will find as many answers to that as there are libraries.  Some
of it depends on district policy (who do they hire, how much are they paid,
is there a district "media coordinator," are there district standards, etc).
  Clearly much depends on the building principal, because even those who
aspire to be the most involved, pro-active, helpful, teachers cannot really
create a strong program without the principal's support and acknowledging
our worth.  Those of us who have been classroom teachers, I think, also have
a special appreciation for what makes teachers happy, and what makes classes
work well.  A strong school librarian is one who knows how to vary
activites, keep kids reading, share their enthusiasm with booktalks, vary
class activities with skills lessons, and invite participation of all sorts
having to do with literature. As kids begin to handle less concrete tasks,
real research skills, done in cooperation with classroom teachers, places
those skills in a purposeful context and everyone wins, and the librarian is
seen as a knowledgeable teacher and colleague.  As dedicated as an aide may
be, there are just some things that he/she may not have the knowledge or
experience to handle.  Making collection management decisions based on the
school's curriculum might be an example.  There are plenty of schools where
librarians with advanced training and experience are treasured, but like
most folk, we must make our own way to gain the respect of our colleagues.

Any book you have not read is a new book ;-)

Maureen S. Irwin
Library Director
Rye Country Day School
Rye, NY 10580
maureen_irwin@rcds.rye.ny.us
msirwin@hotmail.com


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