LM_NET: Library Media Networking
LM_NET,
Here's the last installment. Thank you again for all your wonderful
responses and encouraging words.
Jean Tennant, Librarian
Kotzebue Middle/High School
Kotzebue, Alaska, 99752
jtennant@nwarctic.org
_______________________________________________________________
My favorite parts of this job are that I get to work with many
students and
adults, with technology and reading and books, that there is great
variety,
each day is different. My time (at least in 7th grade) is very
flexible. I
have a great co-worker (clerk/assistant) which helps. The
administration is
very supportive and appreciative of me. I have positive relationships
with a
great variety of teachers in many subject fields. I love the
challenge of
answering a question or finding just the right book or producing just
the
right item that is obscure but needed desperately right away. My job
is also
a great combination of teaching and administration. My colleagues in
the
district are wonderful. Each year I go to a state conference and
return
feeling revived and refreshed and raring to go.
_________________________________________________________
First of all, let me begin by saying that you should seriously
consider middle school! These
children are so special...often in that awkward, in-between age where
they feel gawky and
unloved. They're diamonds in the rough! :-)
It feels so good to bring them prizes (like I did this week) during
Teen Read Week. Or to
turn them on to the "perfect" book or "new favorite" author. Or to see
them get excited
during Book Fair. Or to take them to lunch when they read 15 of 20
Lone Star books.
It's kind of like high school because you will teach reference lessons
and database searching
and Internet strategies, etc., but it's also kind of like elementary
school because those
little 6th graders are pinging around off of each other (and doors,
walls, water
fountains...) and still wanting to give you hugs.
I eat at my desk, never stop running, work on weekends, read
professional journals in
bed...and am simply happier, professionally, than I've ever been. And
you may quote me on
that.
____________________________________________________________
I was just sharing about this topic today with another adult since I
had
(after 13 years in the library)worked in a classroom last year instead
(now
I'm back, at a different library). For me, it is the thrill of reading
aloud (and dramatically!)a book to a group of students, and the
response I
get from them when what I've read opens up a whole new world to them!
For example, this week I read a book aloud to my 3rd graders about a
dead
tree. Not too exciting, eh? That's just how I introduced it to the
kids -
how exciting could a book on a dead tree be? Well, let's find out! The
story took us through the life cycle of an oak tree in the forest from
growing tree, to maturity, to diseased and decaying, to crashing down
in a
storm, and gradually through the decomposition process (with help from
lots
of forest animals, fungi, and insects). We learned that during all
parts of
the process other animals (etc.) receive life (shelter, food) from the
tree. These kids were just in awe! Suddenly the whole life cycle
process
and how everything works together and depends on each other "clicked"
in
their minds. One of the boys even checked out a book about mushrooms!
(and
the other kids were envious!)
Another part is that I am always encouraging the kids to read better
and
more challenging literature. The kids here want to read books far
below
their level, and many are only interested in "R.L.Stein" stuff - I
keep
reminding them (in an encouraging way) that they need to challenge
themselves a bit; they'll do better on the (reading and vocabulary)
tests
at the end of the year, and they'll be preparing themselves for
college by
reading longer books. I ask them, "You are planning to go to college,
AREN'T YOU?!" Many of them come from homes where parents (recent
immigrants) don't encourage their kids to even consider college, much
less
aspire to it. I remind them that they need to begin preparing now,
learning
good study skills and most of all, reading, reading, reading! It's an
incredible feeling to see that light go on in their head that an adult
believes enough in them to think they could go to college!
___________________________________________________________
I am an elementary librarian. I love being a librarian for so many
reasons. I love the schedule-they come and they go but you also have
continuity with the kids because you get to keep them from K-5th
grade. The kids in our school love going to their "specials"-library,
music,
art, gym. We can have standards and structure but also run a more
relaxed "show" because we are not responsible for teaching them
reading and math. I love the parental contact that I have (45 regular
volunteers). I love having a budget and choosing the newest and best
books. It is great being able to read aloud to the younger grades and
sometimes the older. I also have the flexibility to plan my own lessons
totally, i.e. right now my 5th graders are researching 6 different
middle eastern countries using encyclopedias, almanacs and then
comparing
them. I designed this series of lessons totally on my own by fitting
in skills with a current topic. My least favorite part is fixing
equipment,
handing out cameras and film and dealing with teachers who are not too
innovative. Hope this helps-go for it-being a librarian is great!
__________________________________________________________
This is my second official year as a Media Specialist
in a K-5 school. It's a lot of work but I love it. Oh
there are parts I could do without - equipment
problems are the bane of my existence. There are so
many wonderful people to work with especially the
children that I look forward to doing this for years
and years. Did I say it was a lot of work? It's as
little or as much as you can and want to do - just
don't try to reinvent the wheel all at once. Get to
know your collection, your staff and what is really
expected of you before you try to do too much. Having
a mentor is an absolute must for yours is a unique
postion and there are times that you will need to
vent, to ask for help etc... and to get encouragement
that you are doing OK!
_______________________________________________________
other than the usual; I can go to the bathroom when I want, eat lunch
when I
want, don't have to grade papers or do report cards, don't have parent
conferences! haha I Love My Job!!
_________________________________________________________________
Having been a school librarian for over 25 years, I like the change.
The profession has changed and the chores you do every day change
continually.
_______________________________________________________________
I'm a middle school librarian and LOVE it. Why? I love being around
books
and knowing what new titles are out. I love hearing a child tell me
how
much he/she loved the book I recommended and ask me for another one.
I love
when a child recommends a book to me. I love helping teachers find
materials to make the learning experience for students more
meaningful.
_____________________________________________________________________
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the VARIETY. I work with K-4 students; I assist
teachers in many capacities; I work with aides and volunteers, authors,
administrators, technicians and book salesmen. I work with BOOKS,
machines
(I like this part least)and I get to solve mysteries (reference)!
______________________________________________________________
The school library is an environment like no other to
work in. I'm a new librarian and have worked in a few
other industries. The joy of working with children
can not be found elsewhere. I work in an elementary
school for grades K-6. It is a pleasure to spend your
work day with people who love you. That just doesn't
happen in the corporate world. Each week something
happens that lifts my spirits. The best thing that
happened last week occurred at the conclusion of Dr.
Seuss' Hooray for Diffendoofer Day. I had just
finished reading to a first grade class and asked if
they liked the story. During their applause and
enthusiasm for the story, the boy sitting next to me
kissed me on my knee. He suddenly realized that he
did something he should not have done and said, "Oops,
sorry." It made my day.
____________________________________________________________
Being an elementary school librarian is the hardest job because you have
to teach as well as
run your library...more than a full-time job. However, the best part is
doing story time for
the youngest students and reader's advisory for the older students. I
also love to share
some of the great picture books that the older students have missed in
recent years.
I love being a elementary school librarian because it is as close to
being a celebrity
without all the baggage (money, drugs, loss of privacy, etc.) The
little ones always wave at
you in the halls, grocery stores, etc. I just love sharing the joy of
reading and love the
older kids who tell me, "Hey Mrs. Atkins, can we get this book in the
library?"
____________________________________________________________
I love being a librarian for many reasons. I love
working with the kids in a learning environment, but
like the fact that I don't have to have lessons plans
every day. I do something different every day - work
is NEVER boring or repetitive. I like the fact that
my space - the library - is very nonthreatening to our
students. They know they can come here and relax
without anywone asking them for homework or giving
them a grade. I also love books, and what better
environment to work in? I love to read, and I just
love books, so the ordering, reviewing, etc. is the
best part of my job. I also like that I can do
programming and fun stuff to show kids that reading
doesn't always have to be work. Library reasearch
skills I teach are life long learning skills.
The library is the best place in the school to work -
and most of my teachers would agree with me!
____________________________________________
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