When I am on a SACS visiting team, the first question to the librarian
is "what do you need?"
Too often the accreditation team is not familiar with how to evaluate library
media services. If everyone says the library is fine, then so it is.
If your collection is old, MARC records brief, missing, or incomplete, state
the facts. Getting a passing mark on the media services section just gives
the principal the room to say "Well, SACS says the library was fine, etc."
and you will hear this until the next timee (5-10 years).
So, be truthful, tell it like it is, get others to voice their concerns, make
it a point to meet with everyone on the visiting team and show them the
library, reports, etc.
Perhaps AASL should form a committee to put together a "how to evaluate a
school library media center" when there is not a certified slms on an
accrediting team.
My thoughts.
Terry
Librarian, WJ High School
New Orleans, LA
> Perhaps NOT having the things done that need to be done for the
> accreditation review will bring to light the fact that you are understaffed
> for the work that needs to be done. If you cannot do the job because of
> lack of support (physically or administratively), then don't knock yourself
> out trying to do three things at once-- your job, the paperwork, and having
> a life at home.
>
> If the accreditation committee reviews your paperwork, I would put an
> addendum to it stating that because you are understaffed, you cannot
> possibly perform administrative, clerical, instructional, and professional
> library duties in one 8-hour day. I would also state that one full-time
> staff member would help to alleviate the problem while the administrative
> support by allowing you additional time (or pay if you do it at home on your
> own time) would give the ample time to put together the type of program and
> reports necessary. Otherwise the program will continue to deteriorate.
>
> If you DO everything and appear to have the TIME to do it all, MORE will be
> given to you without additional help. Let something go--likely the
> instructional time to do the reports--but note to the administration and
> staff that if one thing is more important then another thing must "give."
>
> Just an opinion...
>
> ~Shonda Brisco
> Trinity Valley MS / US
> Librarian
> Fort Worth, TX
> sbrisco021@charter.net
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Librarian (by way of Librarian <library@marist.ac.jp>)"
> <library@MARIST.AC.JP>
> To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2003 9:40 PM
> Subject: Getting it all done
>
>
> > How do you deal with the fact that you can't get everything done in the
> time
> > you have? Do you take work home? We are preparing for our WASC
> > accredidation review and the number of reports that need to be written is
> > amazing! But I can't even start the reports until written policies,
> > procedures, collection development plans, etc. are in place. If I spent
> > enough time working on the paperwork that needs doing there would be no
> time
> > for my regular work like lessons or the planning of them (We are on a
> fixed
> > schedule for the elementary grades.), cataloging, purchasing, etc. (There
> > isn't even enough time for that without the WASC review!)
> >
> > I am loathe to take work home because that takes away from my time with my
> > family, and just as importantly, administration then will never learn that
> > there is more work to be done than one person can easily complete.
> >
> > I do have a part-time aide, but she is very often pulled for playground
> duty
> > or to cover for absent teachers. She spends most of her time shelving or
> > helping to process new books. I have no student volunteers and although
> > several parents have volunteered, I need to find the time to schedule
> them,
> > train them(Volunteer Handbook: another document to write),etc.
> >
> > Any words of wisdom appreciated.
> > Cathy Mori, librarian
> > Marist Brothers Int'l School
> > Kobe, Japan
> >
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