In my school after school hours are an expecation.Classes end at 3:00;
we
are open till
4:-00 two days, till 5:00 two days and till 3:30 on Fridays. Kids have
lots of projecs to do that involve media/technology. The media center
secretary stays till 4:00 evrey day; I stay till 4:00 most days (I also
teach at the university) and we have parent volunteers two days. The
place is packed. How much the media center is used after school
varies depending on the types of projects going on. But, there is never
a
time without kids in there and we usually have to chase them out.
Equitable
access, especially for students who do not have computers and web access
at
home, are critical. Perhaps information Power also has a statement
about
that.
---
I believe it is one of the standards listed in Information Power, in
case
you hadn't used that already.
---
Often students stay after for various activities which don't begin
immediately at dismissal - this would provide a positive alternative
activity
Effective use of materials - students are there and needed materials are
there- all students don't have computers at home nor easy access to
other
libraries to complete assignments
Some students need more library time than that provided by scheduled
classes to do work
Help would be available by someone who knows the student and the
assignment
enrichment- pleasure reading -
---
At my previous school we had after school hours in the library. It
served as a safe place for students who finish athletic practice early
to wait for the final bus. It was also a haven for those waiting for a
ride home from working parents. Finally, it was a good place for some
to "hide out" to avoid gangs members!
---
For my school community, it is essential that the parents have access to
the library as well as the children. They use the computers for
internet searching after school and many parents check out books after
school. We have English classes and many parents want to check out
books to practice reading English to their children. Many do not have
public library cards and the libraries have a very limited number of
Spanish books, so they use our library. This is just one reason that we
need our library open after school. I enjoy being able to help them help
their children.
---
You didn't say if you were at a high school, but if you are,
one BIG reason is accreditation. To be accredited, HS
libraries must be available to students before and after
school and at lunch.
Second, since high school (or middle school) students do not
have regularly scheduled library time like some elementaries
do, they need to be able to access the library after school
to complete assignments.
---
The best teaching moments come when there is interest and a need for
further knowledge and time to
pursue that interest. School time is often so structured that there
isn't time for many individual questions to
be addressed. After school there is more time for individualized help
for both teachers and students.
Many students have limited access to libraries and reference sources. An
open library after school gives
more access to many students.
Besides, what better way to show how important libraries are, than to
provide funding for more hours to
allow better use of it.
---
I have had after school hours at my middle school for over 10 years and
it is very successful. My previous principal would not support
additional staff for me during the day but she was supportive of after
school staffing so we used it as a way to get an additional staff
person. It is enormously popular with parents. They are pleased their
kids have a place to do their homework while waiting for their sports
practice or waiting for either a ride home or a late bus. We are
especially busy during our winter sports season when we have staggered
practices throughout the late afternoons. Coaches also remind their
athletes that the library is available for them to get their homework
done and keep their grades up as we have an eligibility policy that
depends on grades. We have the kids sign in and out so we know who is
here and who has left. Our students need permission from parents to stay
after school if they are not involved in sports or other after school
activities. That cuts down on kids just staying after school to hang
around. Another plus is that we also have an
after school supervisor who monitors kids in the cafeteria waiting for
buses or rides. That leaves the library to be used for study and
reading, not a holding pen. That is the important piece! The library
should be used as a library after school,not as a place to hold kids
until they leave otherwise the library becomes just another room in the
school and it's unique purpose is lost. Our library is open until 5:00
daily. My assistant comes in at 1:00 so we have some time to work
together. Our after
school hours are so successful that one of the coaches asked me about
allowing some of his football players to come in before school to do
homework and he'd supervise them until I came in. That grew into before
school hours so that the library is open to students at 7:30 a.m. and I
cover it as my "duty" which relieves me from hall duty, lunch duty, etc.
Nice deal for me too! So, overall our library is open from 7:30 a.m.
until 5:00 p.m. daily and we love it.
---
I feel it is important for those students who don't have access to
computers and references at home and for those who never get to a public
library. We are a private school with students scattered all over and
some are either too far away or their parents don't take them to the
library so I'm glad we can fill that need for them.
I also get a lot of students who are waiting for practices to start or
waiting for older siblings who are at practice. The kids who come into
the library make good use of their time and I have never had to kick
anyone out for messing around. Many parents have expressed their thanks
that kids can use the library after school. So it's obviously a good PR
thing also.
I notice a huge increase in attendance whenever big projects are due and
I have helped a lot of students with reference and internet research
questions.
---
At my Middle School after school research time helps the "Have-Nots"
keep up with the "Haves" Some students have internet and printers at
home or have a ride to the public library but my after school hours
helps those who do not have these resources.
--
http://www.lakeshoreschools.k12.mi.us/high/media/homepg.htm
acameron@remc11.k12.mi.us
Alma Cameron
HS Library Media Specialist
Stevensville, MI 49127
(W) Phone: 616-428-1405
(F) 616-428-1570
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