LM_NET: Library Media Networking
> Here are the first responses that I received from my query about interview
> questions for a principal.=A0 There are 12 responses here.=A0 1-11 are
numbered,
> with Gary Hartzell's very detailed response posted separately at the
> bottom(his questions are numbered, so I thought that would be less
> confusing.=A0 Thanks to all who responded.=A0 Many sent their good
wishes=20=
as
> well, which I really appreciate. I will try to send out my second hit
> tomorrow (Tuesday), along with the questions that I actually plan to ask.
> This is my original query:
>
> I am completing my practicum to be a SLMS this semester.=A0 One of the
> requirements is that I interview the school principal.=A0 I'm doing my
> practicum in my own district, including the high school where I currently
> teach, so I will be interviewing my own principal.
>
> In addition, I will have to interview the elementary principal. The
> elementary librarian plans to retire at the end of the 2001-2002 school
> year, and I am hoping to get the job when it comes open.
>
> Do you have any suggestions as to questions that I might ask the
principals?
> I plan to ask about their philosophy about the library, how do they think
it
> should be used, etc., but are there specific questions that you think
would
> be useful?=A0 I especially want to make a good impression on the grade
school
> principal, since I am interested in that position.
>
> Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.=A0 I will post a hit if
> anyone is interested.
>
>=20
****************************************************************************
> ****************
>
> 1. There was a posting on LM_NET on a "Library Site"=A0 that has sample
> interview
> questions.=A0 It might be just what you need.=A0 I beblieve it was on
the=20=
10th
> and was under the heading Library Careers, Advice, Statistics.=A0 Here is
the
> address.=A0 http://www.lisjobs.com/advice.htm=A0=A0 Good luck.=A0 I sent i=
t to my
> daughter who also would like to be in an elementary library.
>
> 2. I would be interested to know about the level of financial support
given
> the library, and, put delicately of course, how much autonomy I would have
> in the position.=A0 I would also want to know what the program is like,
> skills that are taught, level of technology available, automation program,
> etc.
>
> 3.=A0 I'm in the same boat as you right now, except that our rural school
> librarian is retiring this year and I was fortunate to already land the
job!
> Before my interview I searched the LMnet and found several resources
> including one piece that details some questions to ask the principal/or
> interviewer.
> I just checked the archives by entering "interview" and found several
things
> including a piece about "principal questions."
>
> 4. Since I had a principal that was supporting and then one who wasn't, I
> would give you the following as cautionary questions!
>
> What is your philosophy about grading for student assistants? (i.e. if a
> student doesn't show up for work, or shows up and just sits, will he/she
> support your giving a less than wonderful grade?)
>
> What is your philosophy about changing teacher-assigned grades?
>
> What do you think the librarian does all day?
>
> 5.=A0 I didn't ask my principal this when I interviewed but I asked the
human
> resources director.=A0=A0 I wanted to know if in times of financial strain=
,
> if there had ever been any talk of replacing MLIS degreed librarians
> with para-pros or with library techs (especially at the elementary
> level).=A0 I am middle school and when I hired in last year we were $6
> million in the red so it was a big concern of mine before I jumped
> school districts.=A0 But, our district uses techs in the elementary
> schools.=A0 Our middle schools are not accredited so they can put another
> tech in the media center and pay him/her much, much less.
>
> Also, ask him what he remembers about his elementary library and what he
> liked and disliked about it and why?=A0 What is his favorite book and why?
>
> 6.=A0 I would ask about how they would deal with challenged books?
> How would they support you in any changes you initiate in
> the program? How would they encourage classroom teachers to
> collaborate with you? What is the budget? Is there a
> separate budget for technology? What do they think is the
> most important part of the LMC directors job?
>
> These are questions I asked today i the interview I had.
>
> 7.=A0 Jennifer, Be sure to ask about scheduling!!!! Is the library used to
> facilitate
> student learning or is it for giving the teacher a break?????? My pet
peeve
> (I'm
> a break provider!)
>
> 8.=A0 How much does that principal want the library media program to fly?
> How
> much does that principal actually know about the potential of that
> program?
> How much does that principal know about Information Power and that this is
> the standards for literacy (just like standards for math,science, language
> arts, etc.)?
> Does that principal support flexible scheduling?
> Does that principal evaluate classroom teachers on hoow much they
> collaborate with the LMS and on how much they integrate the library media
> program into their classroom activities?
>
> Unless all of these are very, very positive the program will flop.
>
> Now, on the other hand, you will not be able to do anything you are not
> allowed to do by the principal as you have absolutely no authority.
> Neither the prncipal nor the LMS can do the program alone, but without the
> insistance of the principal very few teachers will do the program well.
> Too many prefer their 40 min. of free time daily or weekly, or whatever.
> The thing that makes it worth their while is how they themselves are being
> evaluated.
>
> This may sound negative, but it is the real world.=A0=A0 It is also why yo=
u
> need to be careful who you sign on to work for and with.=A0 And also why y=
ou
> need to cherish a top notch principal because they are what makes it
> possible for you to succeed for the kids.
>
> 9.=A0 You might want to ask what "nonlibrary" duties come with the job.
> Curriculum committee? Lunch duty?
>
> 10.=A0 I too went from a high school to an elementary school, and boy are
they
> different. I would definitely ask about how the budget is allocated, that
is
> a big plus. Showing that you know how to teach is a big thing, but showing
> that you know how to spend is just as big in my opinion. I would also ask
> about staffing the library - how is it staffed, if it's not staffed with a
> full time aide, are there plans to do so. I don't know what grade levels
you
> will be working with, but suggesting a student volunteer program will
always
> make them perk up (and will help you in the long run, although it is a lot
> of work - I plan on starting one too). Ask the prinicipal who their
favorite
> authors/illustrators are - I guarantee they will ask you the same when
they
> interview you. Ask them where they see the library in 5 years (in terms of
> technology, patron use, etc.) - this too will be asked of you. Anything
you
> think might be asked of you on an interview should be asked of THEM. It
will
> help you with your own answers when it's your turn.
>
> The best of luck to you - and congratulations on your graduation. It is
the
> BEST feeling in the world!
>
> 11.=A0 What are the expectations they have for the librarian?=A0 What are
their
> goals
> for the library program?=A0 How does the library/library=A0 curriculum ben=
efit
> the student/school?=A0 These are just a few out off the top of my head.
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