LM_NET: Library Media Networking
Dear LM_NET,
I have so enjoyed reading these responses. I, too, love my job and
reading your responses caused me to become enthused all over again! I
didn't separate them into ELEM or SEC because I knew you'd all
appreciate each one. Enjoy!
Jean Tennant, Librarian
Kotzebue Middle/High School
Kotzebue, Alaska
jtennant@nwarctic.org
_______________________________________________________________
I love my job because I get to do different things all day long. I get
to
encourage kids to read, help them gain access to resources they
need, teach
them skills so they can research on their own, and be a friendly
face in the
midst of their busy days (along with a few dozen other things).
I used to work in elementary, and someday I hope to return to that
environment. However, I'm finding that high school students really
are kids
at heart, too. They get the same joy with the silly things I come up
with to
promote the library that the younger students did. I do this job
because I
feel like I'm doing something important and giving others skills
they will
treasure having. And as I said earlier, my goal is always to create
a
friendly environment. I think anything we do to give kids positive
experiences with books, research, and literacy is to their benefit,
even if
they aren't too into reading or research at their current stage in
life.
Someday I hope they'll remember their library experiences as
positive ones
and be more inclinded to use libraries in the future.
_________________________________________________________
I am a K-12 librarian, so I work with all grade
levels. I enjoy the elementary the most, I like
teaching middle schoolers, and I have the most
interesting conversations with high school students.
I enjoy being a librarian because each day is
different, there is always something new to do, I like
matching kids and books, and I like the challenge of
research. I love to read and like talking with kids
about books. My job is great because I feel I am
making a real difference with kids, and hopefully
giving them skills they can use for their lifetimes.
I've been a classroom teacher, and although I like
teaching, I hate correcting papers! Of course, I
don't always read all of the reviews I should, either,
but at least that doesn't invole assessment of some
sort!
-------------------------------------------------------------------
I am currently in a 9-12 school but have done k-12 previously
1. No two days are ever the same.
2. I get to see all of the students but the only ones I'm really "in
charge
of" are my aides.
3. Get to provide services to teachers and administrators.
4. Get to deal with every kind of knowledge.
5. I have my own little kingdom to organize, manage, etc.
6. I can have active times and sit-at-the computer times.
7. Get to encourage students and teachers to read.
8. No traditional lesson plans and paper grading.
9. Lots of room for creativity, planning, stretching my abilities.
10. It forced me to become comfortable with computers.
I'm sure there are other reasons, but those come to mind right off
the bat.
_____________________________________________________
-You will never be bored
-You can learn anything new - and tie it in with library
-You can go anywhere - and tie it in with library
-You will impact every teacher and every child in your building -
and almost
all of your interactions will be rewarding
-New books are exciting and wonderful things of joy
___________________________________________________________
I like being a high school librarian because you get to support kids
in their
endeavors, provide a safe haven and share a love of reading.
___________________________________________________________
I can give you a quick answer here. By the way, I wanted to
be an
elementary school librarian but got a job in an all-boys' high
school
[SEC]! What I like about my job is that I have a lot of freedom --
autonomy and flexibility with what I do. I do a lot of different
things
all day and don't sit in one place. I take care of an environment
which
is like a schoolroom or a home, and this satisfies the nurturing
part of
me. I make it comfortable and inviting with plants, art and
posters,
puzzles, chess.... (We are a boarding school, so an unusual amount
of
nurturing is probably called for.)
And above all, the way I relate to the students is very
pleasant, with
rare exceptions (such as the ones who continually treat the library
as a
student lounge -- it's TOO comfortable for them): I don't have to
be
the main teacher and disciplinarian. I can talk with them, help
them,
etc.
I understand from reading this list that some high school
librarians
may have a more structured schedule, but not as much so as
elementary.
What I don't like about high school as compared with
elementary is that
you spend relatively little time on literature, fiction, reading.
Much
more of your time is spent with reference help and keeping the place
supplied with factual materials. And most of the students don't have
time to read much, or don't make time. I love literature and fiction
and
know it's more a part of the younger grades. But the increased
flexibility here somewhat makes up for that.
One thing I must say is that the responsibility for and the
relative
importance of technology in the school must be clear. Some schools
are
driven by the perceived huge need for high technology, at the
expense of
books and other materials. And some school have little or no
technology
support. We are blessed with excellent full-time onsite staff. Try
to
find a place where you feel comfortable with how they resolve these
issues.
___________________________________________________________
WHY I LOVE MY JOB
1. Little Kids are easy to control. For the most part they are quite
loveable, and are interested in anything I act interested in. I
taught
meddle school for eight years and would not go back for anything.
2. I answer to only one person - my principal - and for the most
part am
left alone to do my job.
3. There isn't a manual, so I am free to teach anything aI want (as
long as
I am meeting my objectives in my curriculum, which I wrote myself.
4. My library is the center of the school. Gotta question? Go see
Karen. I
have many paper, internet and human resources to answer questions
and use
for ideas. I can fix almost every piece of equipment int he
building. I have
money to spend on projects (from my bookfair) Of course, this is
something
that has transpired over the past 10 years, and not without any
bumps!
5. We use the library for meetings, breakfasts, lunches, displays,
etc.
Staff and parents have come to rely on me for these activities and I
love
it.
6. I get paid $50,000 a year to read books, show tapes, and play on
the
internet with 6, 7, and 8 year olds!!! And doyou know what I would
be doing
if I didn't have this job? Reading books, watching tapes, and
playing on the
internet! I get paid good money for doing what I love with little
kids!
______________________________________________________________
I moved from a third grade classroom to the library. I have a
Master's
Degree in Social Studies Education and have maxed out the pay scale
at my
school so did not need any extra hours of education to move me
over. My
principal asked me to take the position when our previous librarian
asked to
be released from her contract in mid-July to take a job in a
neighboring
district where her children attended. I was not too thrilled about
spending
more money to attend classes and have the added stress of less
family time,
but I love my job. I get the know all the students in our school
where
before I only knew those few in my room and the children we saw
during
recess duty. I like being able to solve problems and help people
find
answers to their questions. I love to read aloud. In my job I can
read
many different levels of books in one day. I teach skills in a
practical
manner where the kids use it right away to find their books or look
up
answers to questions. I do not feel that I have enough time to do
my job
properly and have to leave things undone and pick up with them the
next day
and that is hard for me to do. I don't like feeling like I am always
behind. I like being the problem solver and having the chance to
interact
with all the staff. I do not think I would want to go back to the
classroom. I still have stress but it is a different stress than I
had in
the classroom. You do have to be VERY flexible and not get upset
easily
about teachers not adhering to standards of courtesy. They will
walk in
during the middle of your reading to another class and pretend that
they
don't even see you reading and proceed to talk the their students
about
whatever "research" they are doing while half of her class starts
carrying
on conversations. I just continue to read and ignore what is going
on
unless the students I am reading to cannot hear me. Then I politely
point
out to the offending students that I am reading to a younger group
while my
aide's blood pressure raises several points. (She has worked at
school for
30 years and remembers when she could have told that teacher to
leave.) I
think I have talked enough. Please feel free to have them email me
directly
if they would like to hear more.
________________________________________________________
I'm a relatively new media specialist with a background in early
childhood
(15 years in 1st and 2nd grade). There are many reasons why I love
being a
librarian...here are some:
I love being a librarian because I want to communicate to my
students my
love of reading and the endless possibilities of books. There's
nothing
more fun than reading to young children (I must confess that the
actress in
me comes out a lot during storytime).
It's also very important to be able to help others develop
information
literacy skills (both students and teachers). Technology changes at
an
amazing pace. The students and teachers in my school look to me for
leadership and guidance.
After so long as a classroom teacher I was ready for the challenge
of
additional responsibilities. The media specialist in any school
wears many
hats. Sometimes I am called upon to help with computer problems
(our tech.
specialist is only in the school two days a week). Other times it
may be
students working on a research project who need guidance. There
there's the
"reluctant reader" who blossoms when you help them find the book
they want
to read.
I know this was very scattered, but it gives you an idea of the
many, many
reasons I love what I do.
______________________________________________________________
Hi, after working in a local government agency for many years, I
find myself working in a
middle/high school library with about 600 students. The is the best
job ever. Kids are so
upbeat, energetic and fun to be with. Helping one with a project
and seeing that smile of
relief is terrific! Every day is something different. Librarians see
a different side of kids
than a classroom teacher---a lot of times the very best side of a
kid.
______________________________________________________________
I'm into my third year as a high school LMS and I'm
thoroughly enjoying it. I enjoy working with students
and have a great faculty also. My job is very
challenging and rewarding. Every day is different and
involves A LOT of troubleshooting and creative problem
solving (which I enjoy).
I definitely have my days when everything is broken
and everyone wants something at the same time. I also
struggle at times with feeling isolated since I'm the
only teacher in my department and most (o.k., probably
all) classroom teachers really don't understand what
my position is as a teacher. But then I work with a
class or individuals doing research or using
technology and I get rejuvenated. It's a fast-paced,
intellectually stimulating, cutting-edge kind of job
if you're game for it!
__________________________________________________________
hi...
these are some reasons....
* helping people to locate, analyze, interpret and present
information
* in touch with what's being published
* always on the go
* in touch with different kinds of people including teachers,
students,
parents and the general public
* learning is on the go as people ask different questions
* satisfaction is always there
* using technology
_____________________________________________________________
I was 24 years in elem. I loved reading stories to, and
discussing them and
their illustrations with, children. I loved being the person who
helped
them, in most cases, first learn to use the library. I loved
ordering
materials teachers requested and helping them find what they
needed. I
loved buying materials and I loved being busy. I did not love being
considered "break time" by some teachers and I did not love dealing
with the
increase in behavior problems such as inattention, physical bullying
and
disrespect I began to see more and more in younger and younger
children the
last several years.
This is my first year in middle school. I love having a totally
flex
schedule with 10 days built into 3 six-weeks to teach an exploratory
to 6th
graders. I love that every day is different and that people are in
and out
all day long with various needs. I love that, starting with my 6th
graders,
I can make this library a friendly and enjoyable place for them to
visit
during all their 3 years of middle school. I love (again) being
busy. The
only things I do not love about this new job so far have to do with
the
physical plant itself. I still love reading to my students and
buying
materials and helping teachers in every way possible. In this first
six
weeks I have learned new things about chemistry and biology just
from
helping students find information and I love that too!
_____________________________________________________________
Hi! I've worked with both levels. I'm currently working with
grades pre-K - 7th. I
absolutely love it! The joys of telling a story, and watching
those little faces eat it up,
is indescribable. Helping students discover wonderful authors is
another great part of the
job. A selectively mute kindergartener reached out to me the
other day by giving me an
acorn. Another kindergartener saw me in the hallway after school
and ran to hold my hand
while I walked to the office. She then ran to her mother's office
and came back with a
Hershey's kiss for me. Yesterday I walked through the cafeteria
and heard "Hey Mrs. Leonard"
about a million times. These are all the reasons I love being a
school librarian.
________________________________________
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=
All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law.
To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST, etc.) 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.
For LM_NET Help see: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
Archives: http://askeric.org/Virtual/Listserv_Archives/LM_NET.shtml
See also EL-Announce for announcements from library media vendors:
http://www.mindspring.com/~el-announce/
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=
LM_NET
Mailing List Home