Make yourself available to all of the teachers, especially the new ones
(they'll appreciate your helpfulness to this new environment).
Set your library schedule as early as possible and make it available to
everyone, including your administrators.
Don't be so hard on yourself. Be realistic about what you can get
done...and don't try to do everything perfectly.
Offer your teachers a library lesson guide so that they can write down the
topics that they plan to visit the library for class research and the dates
they might be visiting. This will allow you the opportunity to gather some
resources, collaborate with the teacher(s) on the assignments, and be
prepared to team-teach, if possible.
Stay in contact with your teachers (by email or a newsletter)throughout the
year. Let them know what's new, what's happening in the library, and when
you're available. If they see you're willing to be there to help them with
some of their projects, it makes approaching you much easier (some teachers
are still apprehensive about approaching the librarian with class
activities...you'll be making the first move toward them to offer your
help!)
Try to set your professional calendar before the school year begins (if
possible). Write in those local, state, and national conventions and ask
for those days off in advance, so your administrators will know what you're
planning (and if you do this before school begins, most administrators won't
be overwhelmed with other requests and may see no problem with you
attending---especially if you offer a substitute or have alternative Plans A
and B ready to offer.)
Know what your goals will be for the year. Write down some of the major and
minor things that you'd like to accomplish in the library. For example:
MAJOR-- create a library website this year; MINOR -- weed out the outdated
encyclopedia sets. This will give you some guidance during those times when
you aren't working on a specific classroom project---and it allows you to
offer your administrator some goals that you've set (which you'll be able to
show what you've accomplished at the end of the year---document, document,
document).
Be your best PR agent...let your teachers, administrators, students, and
parents know what you've done this summer and really advocate your library
programs. Tell them that you've weeded the collection, added new titles,
and adjusted shelves during the summer. Let them know that about the new
displays and how they relate to their curriculum.
Remember to take time off when it's available....we can all burn out by
trying to do everything. Try to engage in one activity that allows you to
burn off the excess energy, stress, anger, confusion, or other emotions that
build at the beginning (and throughout the year). Meditation, yoga,
kick-boxing, aerobics...Harley motorcycles....anything that gives you the
edge and revitalizes you will make you a better librarian, professional, and
person to be around!
Good luck! (I'm in the process of doing all of these right now...my
de-stressor right now is a 4-mile walk each day...and I'm building up to
running it! My goal is to get in shape to run a 5K next Spring for some
great cause (Komen breast cancer, special olympics, etc.)
~Shonda Brisco
Trinity Valley MS / US Librarian
Fort Worth, TX
sbrisco021@charter.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jean Whaley" <jean28508@YAHOO.COM>
To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
Sent: Monday, July 28, 2003 10:15 PM
Subject: To begin year
> What are the most important items to remember to successfully begin a year
in the media center?
>
> Jean Whaley
> Media Specialist
> Cape Fear Elementary
> jean28508@yahoo.com
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
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