LM_NET: Library Media Networking
Hi Barbara...Just wanted to say good luck on your upcoming interview!=A0 I
> recently had a committee interview with 9 staff members for an elementary
> library position--the principal later shared that although an experienced
> middle school librarian had also interviewed, the committee felt that I
> would be a much better "fit" for their school.=A0 (I'm new to the professi=
on
> after being a classroom teacher for 18 years).=A0 The reason she gave
for=20=
my
> success at acquiring the position was my enthusiasm and genuine concern
for
> the kids and teachers.=A0 She said that even when someone asked a question
> such as "What checkout procedures would you implement?" I always came back
> to how it would best serve the kids.=A0 Apparently the middle school
> librarian was very knowledgable in managing a library, but she didn't
> convey her warmth or enthusiasm for the job.=A0 But of course, every
> situation is different.=A0 But elementary principals usually want someone
who
> is both competent and compassionate.=A0 Just remember to talk about how yo=
u
> want to impact students' learning, encourage a love of literacy,
> incorporate technology into everyday learning, etc.=A0 Reading Information
> Power is a great start.=A0 Well, better get back to my research paper
> that's due any day now.=A0 Good Luck!
>
> ---------------
>
> I wouldn't want to hire a person who talked more about "stuff" than kids
> and teachers or a person who talked about a media job as it was 20 years
> ago.=A0 =A0 But, since you're reading Information Power I thinkyou're on t=
he
> right track!=A0 =A0 And, talk about technology and leadership which is wha=
t
> principals are looking for.
>
> Good luck!=A0 Media is a great job!
>
> ----------------
>
> Barbara, please suppress your middle school and high school tendencies for
> at least a week.=A0 Elementary students are not that far behind many of th=
e
> secondary students in intellectual abilities.=A0 They however do like thei=
r
> teachers.=A0 Technology know how is needed in elementary schools.=A0
Many=20=
of
> our elementary classrooms have five or six computers and are using
programs
> like reading counts or AR.
>
> One question they might ask is why you would want to leave a math teaching
> job to become a librarian?
>
> -----------
>
> I can sympathize with you regarding the interview, however, if you are a
> research tech kind of person you are going to be miserable in an
elementary
> setting, take it from one who knows...... I am sorry if I burst your
> bubble....also if your heart is really at a different place the folks that
> are going to interview you will know........
>
>
> Don't mention salary and emphasize collaboration, standards, curriculum
> driven collection and developing a good rapport with the teachers and
> administrators.
>
>
> Good luck and again I am sorry for my rather frank note!!!
>
> -------------
>
> Congratulations! I recently interviewed for (and got) a position as a
> Middle School Library Media Specialist, so the process is fresh in my
mind.
> I'll try to tell you what happened in my case, to put your mind at ease.
>
> Hint #1: Clear your calendar the day of the interview, or the day before
if
> your interview is first thing in the morning. I took a personal day so I
> could gather my materials (and my thoughts), look over the State of
> Connecticut Technology Framework and Standards, read through "Information
> Power", search the archives of LM_NET, iron my clothes, etc. Visit the Web
> site of
> the district and the school where you will be interviewing. You will learn
> a lot from this about the philosophy of the school, its pay scale
> (maybe--and you won't be tempted to ask about it in the interview, which
is
> a tacky thing to do, in my opinion). I see you've done much of this
> already. YOU ARE PREPARED.
>
> Things did not go well for me at first. I got lost on the way to the
> interview and was still wandering around 10 minutes after the appointment
> was to begin (I almost cancelled at that point because I was so
> embarrassed). But I used my cell phone to call the school, explain the
> situation, and they guided me to the right place. Everyone was very
> understanding. Hint #2: Do a dry run beforehand,even if you think you know
> where you're going. Find a place to park, notice the
> traffic patterns, figure out how long it takes to get there and add 20
> minutes--better that you should be sitting in the parking lot for a few
> minutes, clearing your head, than frantically trying to get in the right
> lane to make a turn at the last minute. Get a cell phone and have it
handy.
>
> I was interviewed by a panel that included the school principal, a
language
> arts teacher, and two technology guys (this is a high technology school).
> Oddly enough, the Library Media Specialist was not one of the panel
> members--which can work to one's advantage if you think about it. While I
> can't say what you'll be asked, I noticed that the questions were pretty
> much what one would expect: How do you see the Library Media Center
fitting
> in with the school curriculum?
> How would you use technology in your job? Do you have a problem using any
> kind of equipment? What do you do to encourage literacy? How do you choose
> materials for a school library? Most of these questions I could answer in
> my sleep, but one question made me hesitate.
> Remember those Framework Standard I had looked over earlier in the day? I
> couldn't remember them. So I asked for a minute to formulate my answer,
and
> I very calmly stated that I couldn't quote them chapter and verse, but
that
> I saw my role as one that would encourage students to learn how to find,
> evaluate, and use information (and I hoped that was the gist of the
> Framework--it was). Hint #3: Be honest and don't be afraid to ask for time
> to phrase an answer. It's ok not to know everything. It's REALLY ok to
show
> that you know what to do when you don't know everything.
>
> I went to the interview equipped with some questions of my own. Again,
> these should be pertinent to your situation. Think about what you want to
> know about this school and school system and formulate a question or two
> based on that--What is the challenged book policy? or, What opportunities
> are there to help teachers integrate their curriculum with the use of the
> Library Media Center. I found that the interview was over before I was
able
> to ask any of my questions, although I did ask for clarification on a few
> points along the way during the interview. I foolishly took this to mean
> that they were not interested in hiring me. I was wrong: they called the
> next day and offered me the job. I met with the Superintendent of Schools
> the next day and had plenty of time to ask any questions I may have had.
> Hint #4: Don't expect the interview to follow a precise formula. You may
or
> may not be encouraged to ask questions. You may or may not meet with a
> panel of people. You may or may not be given a salary schedule right away.
> All you can do is be prepared, and you are, you are!
>
> Good luck to you. I hope this helps. Remember, every time you interview
for
> a position you gain experience in the process. You learn about schools and
> school systems. You do the "woulda-coulda-shouldas", analyzing every word
> you said and trying to pick up the nuances of what everyone said. I think
> the bottom line is: if you are the right person for the job, most
> likely you will get it. If you have a good feeling about the interview,
> it's probably for a good reason.
>
> Good luck to you, and let us know how everything turns out.
>
> -------------------------
>
> Just yesterday my director and I interviewed someone who "volunteered"
> information that she had been "set up" at her first job, and it was a
> really bad year.=A0 So, if you have a really bad year from your past, don'=
t
> volunteer that information.
>
> ------------------------
>
> One thing that might come up is how you might handle a discipline problem
> or deal with a student who is disruptive. My experience is that candidates
> who have familiarized themselves with building policy or at least indicate
> that they would act according to building policy in their dealings will
> score highest.
>
> ------------------------
>
> I remember interviewing a woman who when asked how she would manage all
the
> paperwork, administration connected with the job replied that she would do
> this during her prep hour! Silly thing!
>
> ------------------------
>
> We interviewed this spring.=A0 Enthusiasm goes a long way!
>
> -------------------------
>
> I hope you see the elementary program as more than just reading good
> stories to classes.=A0 I would suggest considering the total program as
a=20=
3
> legged stool with one leg being the literacy/stories component but equally
> important are the other two legs of research skills and technology.=A0 Bei=
ng
> split between two schools adds a level of difficulty to integration of
> media center activities with ongoing class units of study, but it is the
> only way to have meaningful results.=A0 Isolated skills lessons do not
> transfer to application when needed.=A0 Given teh right structure and
> questions young students can grapple with major concepts.=A0 Don't sell th=
em
> short.
>
> -------------------
>
> The Career Center section of Monster.com is pretty good for this sort of
info.
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