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Barbara,

Very eloquently put.  I share your sentiments.  The current trend on our
list serve reminds me that we all share the same goal -- to be great at
our jobs and help our patrons in the best way possible.  We just have
different avenues we must use to get there.

Kelly  :-)

Kelly Smith, Librarian
School Technology Specialist
J. W. Wiseman Elementary
922 South Broadway
Portland, TN  37148
(615) 325-8580




On Sun, July 10, 2005 3:51 pm, Barbara Paciotti said:
> Friends,
> It's always interesting to see how one listserv discussion diverges to
> another, how a remark stimulates controversy.  For example, the recent
> thread about placement of series books generated a clash about teaching
> library skills (still going on) and has now thrust its way into rigid vs
> flexible library access.
>
> [I appreciate flexible scheduling of the library, but I'm always a
> little envious of librarians whose students have "library class" once a
> week.  I'm sure I echo the thoughts of other flex-schedule librarians
> who would love to see every student in the school even once a month!
> Ah, imagine what I could teach, how I could build knowledge, if I knew I
> would see students on a regular recurring basis... anyway...]
>
> My only elementary library experience was as a parent volunteer two
> decades ago, and I was privileged to work with a librarian who has
> become a respected, published professional in our state.  I still
> remember how she used scheduled library time to reinforce what was
> happening in the classroom, introducing relevant books to read and
> teaching library skills when needed.  I remember her difficulties
> finding time to speak with teachers, but I also remember her command of
> curriculum, how she knew who to talk to, when, about what skills needed
> to be introduced or reinforced when a particular class came to the
> library.  Memories of her inspired me while helping my own children
> progress through school, while teaching students when I re-entered
> teaching, and while studying and becoming a librarian.  About two years
> ago, I attended a workshop with this librarian, now in a high school
> library, and she continues to impress me with her ability to accomplish
> much in whatever circumstances.
>
> While I know this librarian is exceptional, I don't think she is
> unique--this listserv alone has introduced me to many such librarians.
> What I also know is that student interaction with school (and public)
> librarians varies widely across ages, locations, and circumstances.
> That is why I'm distressed when one or more of us assumes that the
> reason students don't know something is because some other librarian
> deliberately refrained from teaching it, whether through laziness or
> ignorance.  If we chastise other librarians for incidents about which we
> have no background information, we imitate those outside education who
> arbitrarily blame our community for so many problems.
>
> I implicitly _trust_ that, with whatever circumstances librarians have,
> we teach as much as possible, always striving to increase and improve
> each student's learning opportunities.  I plead that all of us adopt
> this trust.  We can air frustration without blame (causing us to defend
> ourselves against each other) and request ideas for solving a problem
> (and this, in fairness, is what usually happens here).  Before posting,
> please ask yourself if a problem is really someone else's? if a comment
> is worthy of rebuttal or vindication? if you would want to hear your own
> commentary directed at you?
>
> This turbulent time for all of education is not a time for divisiveness,
> but is a time for us to work together on behalf of students everywhere.
>
> Barbara Paciotti, SLMIS
> Barbara Bush MS, Irving TX
> barupa@swbell.net
>
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