LM_NET: Library Media Networking
LM-NET,
Here's the second installment of my compilation. Thank you,
everyone, for your interesting and uplifting contributions.
Jean Tennant, Librarian
Kotzebue Middle/High School
Kotzebue, Alaska 99752
jtennant@nwarctic.org
_________________________________________________________
I'm only in my second year as a
certified librarian, but worked 3 years
previous as a classified one. These are in no particular order.
I love learning new things and have an insatiable curiosity. What
better
place to learn new technologies, read new books, meet interesting
people, and
find out more about life and our world every day than in a library.
I love being organized. It's fun to get all my "ducks in a row", and
have
things where students, staff, and I can find them quickly when we need
them.
I balance that love of organization with a realization that everything
that I
organize is there to be used, and using things makes them un-organized
again.
But it's worth it because our purpose is to help students and staff
access
the resources that we have.
I enjoy helping kids succeed, and staff members too. It's very
rewarding to
be part of a child's growth and increasing self-esteem as they work
hard to
learn and do a good job on a project. I'm service-oriented, and love
collaborating with staff on a curriculum unit.
I love knowing everyone in the whole school, and especially being able
to be
a part of the students' lives for seven years (if they stay put!).
Watching
them grow and develop is a beautiful thing. I'm one of the
"constants" in
their ever-changing lives. Librarians must truly enjoy people, and
especially
children. They also must be diplomatic, helpful and professional with
staff.
A good sense of humor helps!
I like being busy and don't mind interruptions and little
"emergencies". I
guess it's that adrenaline rush. I'm never isolated or bored in this
job.
And I have lots to tell my husband over dinner!
I love good books, all kinds, and appreciate artistic talent. There
are
many, many terrific books written for elementary, middle and high
school
students. I'll never run out of good kids' books I want to read.
I love the excitement of new technology, learning how it works, and
sharing
it with staff. And there's always something new.
I love influencing children's moral development. We have many
opportunities
just by the very nature of our job to help instill honesty,
responsibility,
caring, and teamwork with the kids in our school. We play a definite
part in
producing good citizens. Children's self-esteem rises when we assist
them in
learning to read, to become proficient in technology, and to be
responsible.
I find that holding each one in high regard and expecting the best
from them
will most times result in the child living up to my expectations.
I don't mind working late. As the hilarious job description here on
LM_NET
testified to, we do everything (and then some). As my predecessor put
it so
well, "It's the job that cannot be done". We are asked to teach,
manage the
library facilities and resources, assist every staff member in the
building,
be the tech person, plan special events throughout the year for the
whole
school, and grade 600 papers on the weekend. Plus give academic and
behavior
grades to every kid every quarter. Some librarians run more than one
library,
doubling the usual duties. Some staff members close their doors and
go home
promptly at quitting time, but I'm not one of them.
__________________________________________________________
I am a librarian in a K-5 school of 1000 students. I honestly feel
as though
I have the best job in the world - I get paid for doing something
that I
love! I have the opportunity to know all the children and teachers
in the
school. I order wonderful, beautiful books (and other fun stuff)
with
someone else's money (It's always like Christmas when the new books
arrive!)
Our library is truly an extension of the classroom. I collaborate
with the
teachers and work to integrate library resources and skills into the
curriculum. My principal is a good friend of mine and of the
library. I am
able to truly make a difference in children's lives by sharing my
love of
reading. I highly recommend the profession!
_______________________________________________________________
I hate shelving, dislike ordering, detest cataloging, ...I could
go on and on. BUT what I can't believe is that people actually pay
me to
sit around and read to their kids. It's the kids that make it a
GREAT job.
I love it.
___________________________________________________________
Reasons I enjoy my job as a high school (9-12) library media
specialist:
1. Every day is different. I never know what is going to be needed
when I
arrive at school in the morning(AV equipment, a teacher scheduling
class
visits for research, etc.). Or what questions will be asked. I do
such a
variety of things.
2. One-on-one with students and teachers.
3. Books!!! I love books! I love getting new books! Opening the
boxes is
like Christmas!
4. Finding the answers to questions. A treasure hunt for
information!
5. I enjoy "organizing".
Oops! Out of time! Always busy!!
_____________________________________________________________
I have done both and loved both at different times in my life. I
was a high
school English teacher in my other life. Stayed home with children
for 10
years and got my MLS while home. I have never regretted it for a
day.
I worked in an elementary library in a Title I school for
12 years
and love most of it. Never having the same kids day in and day out
- but
getting to watch them go from 5 year olds to 11. Quite a change.
Getting
to get in on the ground floor encouraging them to read and love it.
Helping
them begin research skills. Helping classroom teachers find things
they
never knew they needed, but make a huge difference in their lessons.
Staying on the cutting edge - encouraging growth in students and
faculty.
Being one of the people on campus with the "big picture". Having
professional friends across the grade levels (teachers) and
throughout the
district (librarians). Reading and getting paid for it! Getting to
buy
books and that golden moment when you have the perfect book for the
right
kid. It is great! Work very hard at educating your principal.
That is
key. If they support your program and see its (and your) value, you
can do
some significant things for children and teachers.
I have been in a high school for the last two years. Back
to the
big kids that I loved in the first place. I love it! They are
funny and
"get" lots of humor that went over the heads of elementary kids.
They don't
read as much as I would like, but I am working on that. Lots of
research.
Lots of getting them ready for the "real world". Again, not having
the same
students day in and out, but getting to watch them go from geeky
puny ninth
grade 15 year olds to mature, beautiful seniors. Some amazing
changes.
Some are harder to love than others, but isn't that life? I love
scavenger
hunts, so research is wonderful. I get to stay up-to date and share
with
teachers things that we have and sites that I find that would be
useful to
them. Some are terribly appreciative, some hit the delete key
pretty
quickly. I don't get as much of a personal relationship with the
faculty
that I did on the elementary level because of the size of our school
- 2000
students and over 100 on faculty. But I am working on it. It is
just going
to take a little longer. Yesterday, I worked on a book order from
Follette.
They didn't have everything I needed, so I spent the afternoon at
Barnes and
Noble shopping for the rest. I came back the library and announce,
"I love
my job!" A lot of the perks are the same in HS as ELEM. Friends,
the
golden moments, helping kids and teachers, reading, keeping up
professionally, etc.
Being a librarian is the best!
__________________________________________________________
Being a school librarian is a great occupation and I have enjoyed
it. You get to work with
both teachers and students to build a library program that
integrates with the curriculum.
It's usually enjoyable because in many schools you aren't
responsible for evaluation or
assessment of student work. You get to pick new books and materials
for the collections. If
you love books, reading, and sharing books with others you will like
this job.
_____________________________________________________________
I am an elementary librarian with secondary teaching experience. I
LOVE the
elementary school. I love it because I get hugs and praise. I get
to see
shear rapture in the eyes of little ones when reading stories plus
those
verbal outbursts of "ahhh," "oh no!" and "yea!" I am able to
research for
teachers as well as knowing what is available for the students prior
to them
coming into the library. I am becoming a techie to some extent and
do love
computers - have owned one for years at home. I do some bookkeeping
and, of
course, collection development. I teach students how to use the
library and
hopefully to love books. I do, I love, I am, I teach. My job is
never
boring - very hectic - and I LOVE IT! It is also sometimes
frustrating with
too little time and too many deadlines; however, I would not have it
any
other way.
___________________________________________________________
SEC:
I love how each day is completely different(especially after
teaching the
same stuff for 19 years--junior English). I love giving kids books
they
enjoy and, thus, adding new readers to our world of books; I love
showing
kids how to search effectively for information and how to syntesize
what
they find into meaningful info; I love making the libary a
comfortable and
joyful place to enter; I love being able to send "brattty" kids back
to
class.
________________________________________________________
Because showing them how to access information opens a whole a new
world for
them, and that is an exciting feeling that I want to be associated
with.
__________________________________________________________
Secondary - I like the challenge of something new every day. I like
the
idea that when students come to the library they are all on the same
level.
- They are looking for information and enjoyment. I like fulfilling
their
requests. I enjoy the interaction I have with students and adults. I
love
books and the net. I have the perfect job for my personality.
________________________________________________________
I really love what I do. I like the variety of my job and working
with many different teachers and students on a daily basis. Every day I
learn right along with
whoever I am trying to help find information for. It's a great joy
for me to help everyone find the information they need. I also have a
great love for reading and
I hope that is conveyed to students and staff when I share book
suggestions with them. I love getting new materials in the library. It
is just about like Christmas
Day for me when I get a box with new materials in it. I had worked
in elementary for 12 years and switched to the middle school ten years
ago. I work with
grades 5-8. It is definately a challenge to work with this age
group. They are going through so many changes themselves. I do laugh
when I have had
several come from the high school and later work for me. They are
appalled at how middle school kids act and sometimes apologize for their
middle school
behavior. The library is such an awesome and powerful place
because of all the wonderful resources we have and have access to.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm one of 2 librarians in a 9-12 high school of 1700+ students. I
love
being a librarian primarily because I love books. Also, it's never
boring -- I can be an administrator, teacher, purchaser,
collaborator,
laborer, intellectual, dreamer, planner ..... so many hats to wear!
___________________________________________________________
I'm a librarian in a high school in rural Wisconsin. I'd have to say
I like being a school librarian because it gives me the chance to
get to know kids differently than classroom interactions did. I can
provide a safe place for many of the disenfranchised students
and in the meantime, get the opportunity to get to know them and
enjoy them. Plus, they go home at 3:09 so I don't have those
difficult real parenting duties. :) Although sometimes I wonder...
Anyway, that's why I like my job. It's so much more than books, and
I'm fortunate to love that part too.
______________________________________________________________
Great job - have been doing it for 30 years. It is the variety that
appeals
to me. Being "in the middle" is the place to be - love middle
school.
____________________________________________________________
I put both levels in the subject line because I have done all
levels. I
loved being an elem. librarian because of the warm fuzzies I always
get
from the little ones (talking PreK and JrK here). They love for me
to sit
and read or tell stories (which I still do occasionally even though
officially I'm in SEC now.) I love it when they see me and tell me
that
they want me to come and tell certain stories again. The librarian
doesn't
have to be a "heavy" in most cases and gets to enjoy the little ones
for
short periods of time. (I couldn't handle it for 7 hours straight!)
With high schoolers, I enjoy being, not the one who makes them learn
things, but the one who helps them find info that makes their
learning
easier. I do an orientation that shows them how much easier I can
make
their projects and research if they just come and ask. I love the
look of
incredulous shock when I can put my hands on a piece of information
for
them and show them a wonderful set of reference books at the same
time,
knowing that they will now come back and know exactly where to go
for the
info they need.
I taught in the classroom for one year and have been a librarian for
20
years (gosh, where do the years go?) and can say that I am sooo
lucky to
have found the perfect profession for me. I adore my job!
_____________________________________________________________
My day is always different. The job is never boring
If you like chaos you will love this job.
_______________________________________________
I worked for five years in elementary and am on my second year in
high
school.
Why do I love being a librarian?
I know what is going in the school. I see all grade levels and all
teachers.
Because I am aware of other projects, I can make other teachers
aware
of resources they would have never known about or thought of. For
example,
an English teacher had her students do a webquest on Brave New
World.
She had a couple of examples of "alternate" societies. I
remembered
that one of the social studies teachers had her students do research
on societies (like hippies, Shakers, etc) and mentioned those to
her.
The English teacher loved the idea. Since I had already notated
the
resources on the social studies teacher's research sheet, I could
copy/paste
for her students.
The job forces you to be more organized.
You get to smell new books!
Kids (high schoolers included) think it is really cool when you can
give
them pen, paper, glue, scissors and fifteen resources on their topic
(the day the paper is due, of course).
I love that I am working with ALL teachers - not just a grade level
or
a subject area.
I like knowing a little bit about everything.
The job is NEVER boring, and you have jobs that NEVER end (like
weeding).
Yes, I like this!
I like the thrill of the hunt ... finding or stumbling on
information
I know will help my teachers.
Finally, I love knowing that I AM the library goddess. See
http://www.librarianavengers.com/library.html
on why librarians are cool.
___________________________________________________________
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