Following are the responses that I received to my TARGET regarding the =
problem of winning library staff over when operating an open access =
library while still maintaining a fixed schedule. I greatly appreciate =
the input of all that responded. It helps to know that others have faced =
similar challenges.
Karen L. Stafford, Library Media Specialist
C. C. Wells Elementary, Chesterfield, VA
karen_stafford@ccpsnet.net
Last year I implemented the same kind of changes you described in the =
library where I am again this year. In addition, I also increased the =
number of books that students were allowed to check out! The reaction =
from my aide was quite similar.=20
I'm not really sure what exactly got her on board, except I went out of =
my way to acknowledge that the changes were something new for everyone =
and that if it didn't work out we would try something else. I tried very =
hard to ask for her input when I was making the changes and I made =
certain that I expressed my appreciation for her hard work in making our =
library effective for the students and the teachers. I also publicly =
acknowledged her contributions to the library (and the school, as well). =
All along the way I stressed how important it is for students to have =
access to the library when it is needed, not only to her, but to =
teachers as well.=20
As I said, I'm not really sure what happened but after a pretty intense =
(and rather unpleasant) few months at the beginning of the year, she =
eventually came around. In fact, she seems to take more pride in her =
work and more ownership in the library. (She just sort of worked here =
earlier, if you know what I mean.)
Perhaps, like most of us, she just resists change because it is =
different. When she sees positive results from the changes and the =
people express gratitude, she will probably come around. If she doesn't, =
maybe she should be gently encouraged to seek a position in which she =
will be happier.
Rachel Hinds, Librarian, Burton Elem., Fresno, TX
What are her objections to it? Could you restate her opinion or concerns =
in a way that she feels you understand her concerns? Does it make her =
job harder? Is her role less defined? Does she need more training to =
feel less threatened? Sometimes, it's a difference in vision, sometimes, =
it's a knee-jerk reation to change. Sometimes it's an "I'm being =
rejected/invalidated" or "I'm no longer necessary" reaction. Was she =
involved in the decision or just told of it after the fact? Sometimes, =
just having someone listen is enough to get you less reactive to a hard =
situation. Keep listening to her, as well as praising her for the good =
she does. Give her opportunities to interact with the kids one on one.
Sue Adams, Library Aid, Saddle Mountain Intermediate, Mattawa, WA
Have her tell you what her favorite things to do in the library are and =
if you can give her free rein to do them. Frequently ask her opinion on =
decisions that need to be made (not always) and regard her not as a =
clerical worker but a team player in the library. I have found that this =
sort of teamwork goes over better than boss/secretary mentality. Good =
luck.
Lisa Radmer, Librarian, North Bend Elem., North Bend, WA
I understand her problem. If you are working on a fixed schedule, but =
others are coming in throughout the day to do research, use computers, =
etc., who is watching these students? If it is you, then you are doing =
double duty, which should be against your contract. If it is she who is =
watching them, how is she getting her clerical duties accomplished? Your =
administration needs to get you off of the fixed schedule if he/she =
wants open access.
Sharon McLarney
I had a very uncomfortable time of it when I, too, was a first year =
librarian working with a clerk who had been in the library for some =
time. There were definitely "ownership" issues. I tried very hard to =
balance my professional authority with my clerk's preferences, but in =
the end, we were both happy when she got a higher-paying position =
elsewhere three months into the school year.
Perhaps you can keep reiterating to your clerk that these changes are =
occuring for the benefit of the students. Always be diplomatic and show =
your appreciation of what your clerk does for you (and ultimately the =
students), but the upshot is that you are the one with the degree, and =
she is there to support you, for better or worse!
Kathaleen Bartlett, Librarian, El Paso, TX
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