Response #5
Maybe you and your principal should consider each class coming every other
time per the schedule given. On the weeks that they would now forfeit, you
could possibly check out a variety of books to stay in the classroom. This way
the students could rotate the books they already had with the ones that were
now new to the classroom. That would give them say 50 books to choose from.
Response #6
You will probably have to decrease the amount of time you have used for
instruction and increase the amount of time for checkout. I have the kids
look for books and then, when finished, go back to their seats to read or
look at magazines while I help other students. Then the last five minutes
of class I check out their books at the computer. It is the last thing we
do before we leave. Good luck! I forgot check in... I've gotten really good
at checking books in at the computer while simultaneously preparing the kids
for our lesson or story
for the day. Or while I'm checking in the books, I let the kids tell me
about their news (grandma's birthday, etc.) Or sometimes they play quiet
mouse, which I hate, but it keeps them busy. You will have to change the
way you do things, no doubt about it. And you will not like many of the
results. The saddest thing to me is that, when it comes down to it, the
clerical stuff HAS to be done and will squeeze out the instruction time.
There are days when, horrible of me or not, I just have to use the VCR. I
told my superintendent once that I wanted to introduce him to my
assistants, Mr. Mitsubishi and Miss Panasonic. I always say that I can get
them to tell a story, but I can't get them to put the books away......
Response #7
I'll offer my little bit of help. I've never had an assistant, only
volunteers and they are fewer now than ever. Of course, volunteers are not always
dependable either. That said, let me add that I've always had a flex
schedule, too. However, I teach a lot and I've done independent check out for the
past 5 years, and NO they don't just steal the books.
I have a notebook with student bar codes by grade level and class. I teach
the students the procedure to check out a book, and 2nd - 6th grade never
have a problem. Most 1st grade students can do it by Nov or at least 2nd
semester. I am quite used to students coming in dropping their books, getting new
ones, and checking out the new books themselves. I set my circ system to
allow double the amount for check out. We check out 2 at a time, so I've set
it to 4. That means the 2 old ones haven't been checked in and they want 2
new. It's okay because the computer thinks they can have 4. Like I said it
works for me and they really don't cheat.
I also train students and they have set times to work during recess, before
school, etc but I tell them they are responsible for helping younger students
anytime they are in the library. I have some great students who get up
during a 6th grade lesson and check in all the books, or help a young 1st
grader. They are also good about helping when they are in the library for
independent check out too.
This isn't really like your school when it comes to the numbers you serve at
one time, but it is a method that has worked fairly well at my school. Just
an idea that might help a little bit.
Response #8
Heavens, for a moment there I thought I was reading a post from the
librarian who took over my former position! Here's some of what I did and
hopefully
you will glean something from it that will be helpful to you.
First on the days that you are seeing classes for the second time in the
weekly rotation don't kill yourself with trying to come up with a new lesson
plan. That is a nightmare - I did it. I never could remember who had what lesson
when! Especially when you start to throw programs and holidays into the mix.
I purchased a variety of book related games and puzzles from Demco and
checkers, chess and some puzzles from the dollar store. I got out past issues of
magazines and put them on the library tables. I also created a library web
site with links to lots of learning games, puzzles, and other sites of interest
to the kids. (A lot of magazines that we subscribed to have interactive web
sites that the kids love!) Students could sign up to use the computers - they
had timers set for 10 minute intervals and when the timer went off the next
student got a turn.
During these "enrichment" times I brought my work out to one of the tables
in the library and did lesson plans or made materials I would need for
upcoming lessons. I also had a host of students who loved to help me with these
preparations. Sometimes I had more "help" than I really needed. Use the
enrichment time as enrichment for yourself, too. Get small tasks done that you
generally wouldn't have time to do otherwise. Students who had checked out earlier
in the week did not checkout books on the enrichment days. That freed me up
to do some administrative work.
I also would recommend that all library books for students coming to the
library be turned in either late in the afternoon the day before or 1st thing in
the morning the day students visit the library. Then if your helper could be
in at that time to help check them in and/or help shelve that would be a
good thing. I use wagons and 1st thing in the morning student helpers take them
to the classes visiting the library that day and teachers have students
return them after students put their books in them. Since your classes are mixed
you could put a wagon (or book cart for that matter) in the hallways and you
could have students in the library retrieve them or perhaps teachers could
take turns being responsible for their class to return the loaded carts.
Classes were structured so that we had a 15 minute lesson then check out and
some kind of seat activity that went along with the lesson. While students
were doing their seat activity, I called one table at a time to check out
books. That way I could help those who needed it. When those kids were ready to
check out I went to the circ desk and began to check out to those students.
When most of the 1st check out was completed I called on another table to begin
check out. In my 4th & 5th grade classes I even had a few kids I could trust
to run check outs for me while I helped other students. Also, rather than 6
completely different lesson plans, I doubled up. Generally my kinder & 1st
grade students had the same basic lesson, 2nd & 3rd the same, and 4th & 5th the
same. Occasionally I could do the same lesson for K,1 & 2 and another for 3,
4 & 5. Obviously I made small changes to accommodate the ability levels of
the age groups, but the basic lesson was the same. This was probably the best
thing I did for myself. It saved me huge amounts of time!
When I was in charge of morning news casts my news cast members made a
commitment to be a school early and we recorded our newscast for playback after
the bell rang. I also made a commitment to be there early, but my principal
considered this to be my "duty" and I wasn't included in any of the other duty
schedules. We recorded the newscast in the library so the library was
"closed" only during the 5 minutes or so it took us to actually record. We would
put signs on the doors saying we were recording - that kept most people out for
that short length of time. Also, eventually I got an aide to help with the
newscast so I could still assist teachers and students in the mornings and
sometimes she would take over the newscast as well and I could get a few minutes
to get pressing business done.
I understand the stresses of the situation you are in - it is VERY
difficult. But don't expect too much of yourself. Your school (or district) has
made
the decision to reduce your aide's time in the library and they will have to
live with the repercussions of that decision. You will NOT be able to do all
you were able to do in the past since you are now trying to do the work
previously done by 2. Do what you can and leave the rest - it will always be there
for another day. Reduce the amount of YOUR stress and students will still
have a pleasant library experience. Take care and let me know how you're doing.
I really do understand. (That's why I took a new position last year! - which
is also another option if the situation is really unbearable.)
Response #9
I know where you are coming from. I too, do not have an assistant. I am a
high school librarian.
I am working on a web site for the school, and the county has decided that
we need to create a way to keep up with what the children are doing online.
That means that I have to set up a folder and create a password for three
hundred and fifty plus children. All of this need to be done before school
starts.
When school starts, we are on a flex schedule. That means students can come
with a pass to the library at any time during the day. I try not to think
about it, because I do love my job but the stress is high.
I do not have a set free period. I do the best I can. Most days I find time
to get out for a few minutes, but some days are so hectic that I don't even
find time to eat lunch. Bathroom breaks are the most difficult to workout.
That being said, here are some things I find that help relieve the
pressure:
I train at least one or two students in every class to check books in and
out. Sure they make mistakes, but this allows me to help the students who
need help. Plus by allowing students to help out, they gain a feeling of ownersh
ip and pride in their library.
I encourage students to be part of the library. I train anyone who wants
to learn how to check out books and put books back on the shelves.
Sure they mis-shelve sometimes, but we are talking about survival here. I
also have a display table of often read books. Books that are checkout a lot
are placed on this table. This saves you time shelving, and students will
not mess up the shelves as bad looking for that "good book." When a teacher,
ask me to help find books a particular subject, I make a display of those as
well. I have found that teachers share ideas, and often that subject will be
used again within a few weeks. Another, project that takes a little time but
seems to help students find books is to label books but content. For
instance, Mystery sticker on mysteries, romance stickers on romance, fantasy
sticker on fantasy, and biography stickers on biographies. It helps student find
what they are looking for with less help from me. Cataloging is a whole
different can of worms. Get everything you can processed. Even if you use your
own barcodes, order the data disk. It will save you time.
Good Luck and don't let it overwhelm you. Remember, what doesn't get done,
doesn't get done. They need you more than ever before. So take care of
yourself
Response # 10
I have to say, your schedule does sound absolutely crazy !!! Do you even
get a daily prep and lunch??? There are a lot of classes in your school. I
hope you have a supportive principal who can help you resolve the time issue,
allowing you and your students to make good and efficient use of your
library. I hope you have received some good ideas so far. I hope you are feeling
a
bit better since writing. Okay, is the aide going to be replaced? If not
you must gather volunteers, parents, middle and high school students. You can
also utilize 5th graders who are allowed to be released or who can come early
to school. Use the 5th graders to help you with check out since they
have to be supervised--they can help students find books too. It may take a
while to train them but it is always worth it. I had no clerk for most of a
year when I was in elementary. I survived because of wonderful parents and
retired grandparents. In some cases the teacher of the class that was
visiting would help with check out. One day the AP helped. You could also
try to make the system easier on you as far as when and how books are
returned and checked out. I'm not sure if I can help with the schedule you
explain because frankly I don't even understand what you are describing--if
you want to try again with that I'll be happy to reply. As far as the
overflow--meaning you saw the kids-taught them-they got books and here they
are again--how about setting up centers that can stay in place all
month--activities that tie in with the season-what they are
learning-holidays-celebrations etc. I've don't that very successfully in
the past.
If in fact it is just you in the media center and you have to teach/read and
then check out a suggestion would be Do what you need first and then have
the students line up to check out and then line up to read what they checked
out or magazines that you keep nearby.
You are doing many preps--can yo reduce the number by offering the same
lesson to k&1, 2&3 4&5, then the next year you have to come up with
something else but the year after you won't--now I've never actually done
the exact same thing year to year since there is so much to offer-
You have to leave time for library administration somewhere so just for know
change how you deal with the am announcements--have less kids , do it your
self, have someone else broadcast it--doing it on the pa system. Something
has to give
Ruie Chehak, Library Media Specialist
Sallie Jones Elementary School
1230 Narranja Street
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Ruie_Chehak@ccps.k12.fl.us
941-575-5440
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