Hello LM_NETTERS,=20
here's part 2:
> > --------
> > What did I do to survive? Focus on the collection. There was =
nothing =3D
> > for me to do until I had a viable library for the students. Since =
=3D
> > March, I've thrown out over 2,500 books. Can you believe it? I =
still
=3D
> > have biographies/collection biographies and fiction left to weed.
> > It was back breaking, tedious labor, but the best way to get to know =
my
=3D
> > collection. I'm way ahead in that. Unfortunately, I didn't get to do =
=3D
> > most of the work which I love, which is working with the kids... I =
have
=3D
> > lots of ideas for next year and I hope I can put them to work. I =
also =3D
> > hope I have a viable budget for next year!
> > --------Building relationships with the faculty and students needs =
to be
=3D
> > your first
> > priority. All the "thing-oriented" stuff is secondary. If you =
don't =3D
> > have
> > relationships with the people, all the great things that you have =
and =3D
> > that
> > you organize will never be used.
> > ----------
> > The first day - dress professionally, but make sure you have =
comfortable
> > shoes. Put up a colorful WELCOME banner... have some bookmarks =
ready =3D
> > with
> > pertinent info: Your name, hours the library is opened ( if =
different =3D
> > from
> > scheduled classes- for example I am open 1/2 hour before classes =
begin =3D
> > and
> > two hours after school and the library is closed the 1/2 hour I am =
at
> > lunch), and any other really important thing you want them to =
know... =3D
> > Smile
> > a lot - be ready to answer any questions about yourself...
> >
> > Have a notebook handy to jot down anything that you are told - or =
=3D
> > overhear-
> > about what goes on during the school year ( "I always look forward =
to =3D
> > the
> > book fair"," I always read Beverly Cleary to my class" )
> >
> > The first week, don't expect to get any of your own work done. Take =
the
> > time to really familiarize yourself with all the school routine and =
just
> > settle in. Don't promise anything - If asked if you can do =
something =3D
> > like a
> > project say "I'll check the schedule and see when we can get =
together to
> > work on it." so you don't accidentally schedule two different =
projects =3D
> > with
> > two different teachers at the same time.
> >
> > By the end of the first month you should be feeling confident enough =
to
> > start suggesting things you would like to do- but again, don't bite =
off
> > more than you can handle at a time.
> >
> > By the end of the year, if you have kept lots of notes, you should =
have
=3D
> > a
> > good feel for how the year went and what you will need to firm up on =
=3D
> > next
> > year.
> >
> > Remember, the kids don't always know you are completely new - so =
they
> > aren't judging you and those teachers who are there remember how
> > intimidating it could be to be the "New" person on staff.
> > ----
> > My first day was so long ago, I barely remember it! However, the
> > first day is similar to a first day in the school. This is what I =
have
> > learned over the years.
> > Get to school early, before it starts for the year. Go through =3D
> > everything:
> > files, policies, professional materials, lesson planes, curriculum, =
and
> > etc. Decide on your policies, how to operate, and etc, what to keep =
=3D
> > what to
> > change, type up for staff. don't make too many drastic changes in =
the
> > beginning. You don't want to allienate the staff! After the first =
year
> > you'll see where you want to make changes, explain to staff your =
reason
=3D
> > when
> > you do.
> > Plan your lessons for the first week. Generally, an introducation =
to =3D
> > you,
> > your polices and rules, routines, do something fun, and allow book =
=3D
> > choosing
> > time. How are classes going to be scheduled? Don't forget to allow
> > yourself lunch.
> > Set up your working area and files. Decorate the library and put up
> > bulletin boards. Be ready to help staff when they arrive.
> > The first year do not weed books, learn your collection. Watch what =
the
> > staff uses and relies on. Take a complete inventory noting items =
that
> > should be weeded and where the gaps are, note what is not moving. =
=3D
> > Compare
> > your collection to standards of the field; Elementary School Library
> > Collection, Wilson's Children Catalog, curriculum materails, and =
other
> > rcommended list or secondary standards. Note this information on =
the =3D
> > shelf
> > list or equivalent. Learn from my mistakes! The staff can get very
> > attached to certain materials. Sometmes you have to leave some =3D
> > materials on
> > your shelves until that staff member leaves.
> > Get to know your staff and how they work. Make friends with the =3D
> > secretary,
> > custodian, and cafeteria staff. Be welcoming and flexible.
I'm just starting a new school, and was in the public library before.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-----------------------
First, get the room ready. =20
work on your class rules and get them posted if that's what you do in =
your=20
school. (ask mentor). That will be your lesson for the first week, as =
well=20
as how to check out a book. Read your school handbook and whatever =
seems to=20
be important to the principal.
If you have any of Judy Freeman's books or pub. lib. has them, they're =
good=20
to read. Your story time experience, as well as your good knowledge of=20
children's lit. will be very helpful.
If you want to freshen the walls, you might think of doing a theme for =
the year....that way you can tie a lot of stuff in with it....or have =
the kids help you decorate with a project they do the first =
week.....something like "Good Book Banners"....One year I did a theme of =
"sports" and all around the library I hung those triangular banners that =
Colleges have....
on them they put their favorite title or series or author and then =
illustrated it with a simple symbol to represent that title etc.
I think kids' work is the best way to show things are happening in your =
library...
maybe have a bookmark contest...pick a winner from each grade level, =
print their bookmarks, and let students have them---could color them =
etc.
you could use the theme you choose as the bookmark contest...
------------------------------------------
Kim Monaco
Library Media Specialist
Bellerose Ave. School
East Northport, NY=20
www.northport.k12.ny.us
http://home.att.net/~kimberleym
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