Having been both--an elementary librarian for 6 years, and now a high school
librarian for 6 years--I can say the biggest difference is in the literature. What
do you want to spend your time promoting and reading? As an elementary librarian
you kept up with all the latest and best age-appropriate materials for your
teachers and students. When, or if, you move to high school, you'll have to keep
up with all the latest and best young adult and adult literature.
Elementary students choose books with less effort from the librarian, in my
experience. Color and the sounds of words draw most elementary students
instinctively. High school students instincts are often to avoid being drawn to
books. The effective high school librarian, on the other hand, has the goal of
making every student a reader and scholar. You'll only succeed if you immerse
yourself in the best literature for your students and teachers.
The rest of the job stays pretty much the same. You have teachers to help,
administrators to please, and materials to get onto the shelves. So, as you think
about changing arenas, consider the literature you'll be promoting. I couldn't
wait to leave 'Brown Bear, Brown Bear' behind and move to 'Monster' by Myers.
Bye-bye Caldecott and hello Alex award books. I wouldn't trade my 6 years in
elementary, but I'm "home" now in the high school.
---
Donna Cook, Nacogdoches, Texas :
Teacher Librarian Central High;
District Library Coordinator, Central ISD;
donnacook@lycos.com
936-853-9345 (work)
936-569-2426 (home)
"Books are the holes in the fences of life"--Peg Kehret
--------- Original Message ---------
DATE: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 13:21:32
From: Jacque Burkhalter <jburkhalter@STANWOOD.WEDNET.EDU>
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Cc:
>The high school librarian in my district is leaving this year, and I'm
>tempted to try a switch upward from elementary, where I'm used to a
>release-time schedule. I'd like an idea of just how HS librarians spend
>their day....i.e., % of time in various activities. This library has two
>computer labs and is in charge of the textbooks as well. Also, what's the
>good/bad of HS level? In other words, am I nuts to consider this?!?
>
>Jacque Burkhalter
>Twin City Elementary
>Stanwood, WA
>jburkhalter@stanwood.wednet.edu
>
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