The following is part of a message from Amanda:
There is a real lack of understanding about my job, what libraries are
for, etc. My goal is to eventually have at least the lower classes come
in once a week for class checkout time, and I wanted to give every
grade at least an orientation session. But I always envisioned doing this
once the books had all been cataloged, and the opac set up. You might
remember that my director/principal is not too supportive, having made
comments like, "Well, it's been nine weeks--why isn't the library ready
yet?" This is a new library with about 3,000 books to be cataloged, and
I am just part-time. Part of me says I should bring them in and find
something to show or tell the classes, so that they can see what has been
done, what needs to be done, etc. I am also tempted to do this, just to
get people off my back, and so that I don't feel so "small" all the
time. But the other side of me thinks they are lucky to even have the
library open, given all the work there is to do (lots of schools close
until the library is ready). I should mention that, right now, kids do come in on
their own,
individually to check out books. So, should I schedule each of the classes for
just one session now, and maybe just give an overview of fiction vs.
non-fiction, or should I wait until I can have them come in on a weekly
basis to check out books, once it's all been cataloged?
My response: I believe that only another media specialist can truly understand
what goes on in a school library during the course of a day. Of course we can try
to convince others, like administrators and teachers, that we really are extremely
busy. Occasionally some "lay" person may understand and see the light. Many will
not. That being said, I do not think you should wait to open your library until
you are completely ready. I know it will make your job harder and things won't get
accomplished as quickly, but PR and perspective are both important parts of our
jobs as school librarians. My library was a disaster area when I started in
September. It actually wasn't safe for students to be in the room, due to panels
of wood and sheets of glass leaning against bookshelves. My first priority was to
make it possible for everyone to safely walk into the library. Once that was
accomplished I started to make a list of projects that needed to be done. It was
an absolutely HUGE
list !!! Panic set it, then calm and logic followed (thank God !). By the end of
September, I was teaching all of our 6th grade Language Arts students one period,
every other week. I also developed a sign-in chart for teachers and passed out a
memo asking for a minimum of 1 week's notice before they brought in their classes.
I explained to them that I needed that time to pull materials and make trips to
local public libraries to supplement our out-dated and minimal book collection. I
will be the first to admit, it is not always easy finding a happy medium, but I
believe that I have made 99% of the staff happy with my choices. The bottom line
is, it is going to take me MUCH longer to do what I need to do in this room, but as
long as most people are happy, I think that's the way to go. You probably are
going to have to be creative and make modifications when the students come in, if
your OPAC isn't working and your books aren't all cataloged. I spent a full year
without a
shelf list or card catalog and the OPAC was down and not going to be fixed. I
typed a 30 page table in Microsoft Word and typed every child's name into it. Then
when they checked out their books, I typed the title next to their name. I deleted
it when the book was returned. I did not have an assistant, but I did work
full-time. Was this horribly time-consuming and annoying for me ? Of course it
was, but the bottom line is, we need to provide our services to our children. If
you keep the library closed till you're done weeding, processing books, etc. you
may be closed so long that you've perpetuated the myth of the librarian having
"nothing to do".
I hope you find some of my suggestions useful. I wish you good luck in your
endeavors.
Diane
Diane Lungaro, librarian
dianelu@yahoo.com
Sussex Middle School
Sussex-Wantage Regional Schools District
Sussex, NJ 07461
---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-
All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
LM_NET Help & Information: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
Archive: http://askeric.org/Virtual/Listserv_Archives/LM_NET.shtml
LM_NET Select/EL-Announce: http://www.cuenet.com/archive/el-announce/
LM_NET Supporters: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/ven.html
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-
LM_NET
Mailing List Home