[LM_NET] Elem: Basic Library Management

[Holly Peele <Holly7335@AOL.COM>]

Hi all, brand-new librarian here. I have just begun working in a school  
library, working once a week in the mornings from 8-11. There are 5 classes that  
come for 1/2 hour each, K-4, starting at 8:30 and ending at 11. I am expected 
to  help these children check out books and to provide them with "library  
time".
 
Let me set the scene. The library is the multipurpose room, used for  
everything from meetings to nap times, to after school care. There is no other  
librarian. Books get moved around during these times. Many of the books are  
labeled, but not uniformly. The library includes books in four different  
languages. 
There was a cataloging system, using cards in the back of the book,  but new 
books do not have them. I don't think there is a library budget, books  come 
in as they are donated. Today I let each child take one book and used the  
old-fashioned list of names and the book they took out.
 
I need to provide the most basic service possible, with the most basic  
systems. Is there any advice/books I can read to help? I have a half hour or an  
hour once a week when there aren't any students in the library. This is the only 
 time available to re-shelve.
 
And also, most importantly, I am alone in the library with these classes. I  
have never taught or worked in a school before. Any advice/books on classroom  
management or BASIC information I should make myself aware of? As you can  
imagine, the kids were lively and I certainly don't want to lose control of the  
situation. 
 
Holly Peele
Librarian?
RC International School
_Holly7335@aol.com_ (mailto:Holly7335@aol.com) 
 

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