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WOW!!  Many thanks to all of you who responded to my delimma.  I am always open to 
suggestions, so please if you have anything else to advise me on, just drop me a 
line! I will be getting back to some of you soon!
 
After reading your responses and then re-reading my original post, I realized that 
I did not add that I am a pull-out (or release time) for the teachers, they do not 
attend media classes with their children (and someone would put out a contract on 
me if I ask), we do not practice flex time scheduling (everything is fixed), we 
have a small semi-reliable volunteer base at both schools, and I have little or no 
input into my schedule.  The 2 1/2 day split is pretty much SACs mandated, since 
every school is supposed to have a part-time media coordinator, so a 3/2 week is 
not optional. Oh, and btw, I have a 4 year old at home :-)  #1 priority!!
 
The best advice that I have received  thus far is to learn how to say,"No" which I 
think is very good advice.  Until I made a list of all my duties, I did not realize 
how they had accumulated over the past three years.  I think it is time to reassign 
some of them (tactfully of course) so I am not so overwhelmed.
 
Some one asked if I would post the hits I received, so I have tried to compile them 
into one posting.  I hope this is the way to do it.....
-----------
 
Could you see the students once a week for 60 minutes (or 50) instead of
2 30's. There is less down time (Those minutes between classes that
don't amount to anything) Maybe that would help, especially at the
larger school. Also could you get a parent volunteer or another teacher
to help with the Box Tops, Labels or Tyson. I was at a 500 student
school and we had a different person incharge of each one. Also get
parents or a grade level teacher to help with Battle of the Books. We
had a parent head each team and the teacher was there for support. It
does take a lot off the teacher. I know it is hard to say no, but maybe
you need to. I personally also do all of the computer stuff, web stuff,
book fairs, etc. I use to do Campbell's, but since changing schools last
year I let the parent group do it. Also I use to do Reading Counts and
now I would only do it with help, there is no way I would do it again. I
think delegate is something you need to do too.

I think you need to talk to your administrators about all your assignments.
Librarians in SAISD that work two schools usually spend a week at one school
and the next week at the other school.  I don't think administration or
teachers really understand that you can't be two people.  Because we do our
jobs so well, they haven't a clue as to how much work it is.  I work in an
elementary that is down to 680 students.  There isn't enough time in a week
to schedule every class in the library. I do have a 1/2 time assistant.  The
other half of her duties is textbook so she is not available at all at the
beginning of the year or end of the year.  And the lower grades change their
reading textbook materials every 6-8 weeks.  I cover the desk while my
assistant has lunch duty, her breaks, and her lunch period so I lose 1 1/2
hours a day that I can not schedule myself for working with classes.  If I
include work time each day of 40 minutes, there is even less time available
for scheduling classes.  Then you add in all the restrictions that the
district has placed on where the classes maybe at certain times of the day,
it is a nightmare to plan...

I have not worked in the elementary setting for 9 years, but when I did I inherited 
a system that worked well for my situation.  I also traveled between two schools.  
In order to maximize a little time our schedule for K-3 (which was only once a 
week) was an overlap.  In order words, Class A would show up for their library time 
(read that as STORY TIME and checkout) at 9 a.m.  They would have 15 minutes to 
find a book and check it out -- of course, with my help and that of the classroom 
teacher.  At 9:15 they would go sit in the storytime area, and Class B would arrive 
for story time.  The story would be read to the combined classes.  One teacher 
stayed with me.  At 9:30 Class A would leave with their teacher.  Class B would 
look for their books and check out.
Now I realize that 15 minutes isn't much time to save.  But it did add up.  
Further, I was able to work the schedule so those 15 minutes all came in a larger 
chunk -- which gave me some flexibility to work with older classes on special 
projects. Now I had an aide to help with shelving, check out, and even with the 
storytime.  There were no lessons for these classes at this time.  The 3rd grade 
teachers arranged other times for lessons, based on their classroom needs -- as did 
the upper grades.  I also realize that it may not work at all for you.  IF you are 
a release time for teachers it will definitely not work.  However, with new 
administrators you might be able to set something up, or do the storytime sessions 
this way, and the full 1/2 hour per class the second time you see them for lessons. 
 Are there really enough hours in the school day for you do give each class a full 
1/2 hour twice a week?  When you add in your lunch and your plan times, plus your 
travel time is there enough time?  In many districts around here, if a teacher 
travels between schools you got extra time (I traveled every day, and got an extra 
prep time daily:  travel time).  Many techies also get an extra plan period to do 
those duties.  
When will you plan with teachers to coordinate your lessons with what's going on in 
the classroom -- or collaborate on a unit? BTW, after working 10-12 hour days, and 
many many weekends to work two schools when they really needed 2 or 1.5 librarians, 
I quit that job.  I told them it was too much for one person, and lo and behold the 
next librarian came and went with the teachers, and did not put in the extra hours 
I, and my predecessor had, and they hired someone else for one of the libraries.  I 
am confident you will get many excellent suggestions from LM_NET and from those in 
your situation, not someone reminiscing here.
 
I once had three schools so I can sympathize with your dilemma and then I had two 
schools and felt a lot better. However, all of those other jobs either did not 
exist or were not expected as I traveled from place to place back in the late 
1970's and early 1980's.   I now have one school and do not know how you can do all 
that and have 26 classes in 2.5 days plus the responsibility of classes at your 
second school. Can you give up most of your "extra" jobs in that one school and 
tell the principal that your main concern needs to be the library and classes? Do 
you have a supervisor to consult or contractual help via the teacher's association 
or union? Could you make the case that one 40 minute period would be more 
beneficial to teaching? (Do you give grades and need serious time with your 
students?) If your teachers are anything like mine, they don't show up on time so 
30 minutes would really be cutting things close. Another alternative would be to 
start looking for another job. If my job had not finally gone to one school, I 
would have had to rethink things and go elsewhere. This is my 31st year (hard to 
believe) and I don't think that I could have carried my bag from school to school 
all of those years.  I also do most of those jobs at my school these days and work 
about 50 hours a week to take care of the library, as well as do library classes, 
technology, gifted & talented, various committees and cafeteria/bus duties and two 
reading classes that I now teach as of last school year. I still have no aide and 
do about 75 hours a summer (unpaid) to clean up my library  (we do get inventory 
time) and building equipment as well as to sort those piles of things that get lost 
in the shuffle during the school year so that it will be less stressful when August 
arrives. I do agree with you that library work is never ending and one must be 
visible even though the classroom teachers will always think that classroom jobs 
are harder (no matter what!) But your district is really being unreasonable IMHO. 
 
I would head for the other nearby hills!  I would find another nearby school 
district since it is July 5 !!!!!  you have ENTIRELY TOOOOOOOOO  many duties. 
register with www.teachers-teachers.com  FREE they will send yu openings in your 
subject area.Having worked as an itinerant for about 10 years, I did not have a 2.5 
days at each due to distance.  SO...i had an alternating day in lieu of the 1/2 
day. On that alternating day I saw each class for 30 minutes for NON CHECK OUT 
function---instruction.   MY SUGGESTION :  on your 1/2 day could you see  prek-3  
then next week see 4-6 ? I have k-5 / 2 teachers per grade and will inherit preK.  
almost 300 kids maybe 270-80.  Yu being seeing the kids twice at the larger school 
twice is INSANE.  ask about the above suggestion since it is early July. Can you 
call Frances Bradburn or Gary Solomon at NCDPI? for suggestions?  I know they are 
the top media tech for school media  programs. There is a NC  listserv . are yu a 
member of it?  If so put your plea on that one. Please post a hit if yu dont mind.  
or keep us posted.  if i think of anything else i will write. i would care to know 
suggestions of others so do a hit. best to you.....( i would get out of dodge if yu 
can !!!)
 
How are the parents in your area?  Is there any chance of getting parent volunteers 
to run most of the stuff in your last paragraph?  Also,  if you have techi parents 
they can help manage the website, etc., as well.  
Good luck and God bless you for being open minded and extremely flexible.
 
Clearly you cannot do all this within a normal school
day -- no matter how early you arrive and how late you
stay. I think you need to document the amount of time
you spend on the various tasks and pass on several of
the nonlibrary duties to others.  Your first priority
is your classes and the running of the library.
Surely your administration doesn't want to see you
crash and burn due to the heavy burden you currently
carry. There are many people who could handle the
bookfair, collecting of boxtops and soup labels, but
NO ONE ELSE has your qualifications for  running the
library and teaching your classes.  Your efforts need
to be there firat and foremost.

 
Sadly, I'm facing a similar situation this fall. The computer teacher quit
to get married and moved. The school system has decided not to replace her.
And since "computer is media" I'm to assume her class schedule and
curriculum along with the regular library classes I instruct and manage the
library. No, they won't give me an assistant - I've asked. And no amount of
reasoning, including SACS standards, seems to be fazing the administration.
So, out of 35 instructional hours in a 5 day school week, I will be
instructing for 34 of them. I also, am involved in many other projects that would 
not be considered
"library related." Therefore, this is how I'm  handling it - not very well!
I'm filling out applications for new jobs. Short of finding one, I will be
relinquishes ALL of my other non-library related duties. When someone needs
the laminator changed, sorry, I don't have time. When someone needs the bulb
replaced in their overhead, sorry, I don't have time. When the classroom
printers don't work right, sorry, I don't have time. When someone is sick
and flowers need to be sent, sorry, I don't have time. It may not change
anything. But everybody is going to find out very quickly that the library
lady who they thought "didn't do anything" really does a whole lot. And I
will feel better.

Wish I had some advice for you. All I can offer is the knowledge that I'm
right there with you, Sister!

Since you asked first things first-
Write out your job schedule- classes, collection maintenence as if you
only have 40 hours for both schools. Figure out your class schedule- each class is 
coming twice a week?
perhaps once a week is enough. Write a list of extra - above and beyond the call of 
duty - step back.
Have a meeting with each principal to outline your curriculum and goals.
schedule all tasks including planning meetings with teachers. Let each
know that you will be stepping back from the other committments to focus
on your program. Ask for an assisitant. You may not get one this year
but maybe next.

Here are a couple of idea.  Create a volunteer program from parents, they can 
shelving, check in and out, maybe even man the library for a couple of days.  Here 
I have created a library explorer program and use Jr. Beta Workers 7th - 8th 
graders). They come in the afternoons and work on shelving, processing. It has been 
wonderful.
For the volunteers keep a record of name and hours worked.  They need to understand 
that you are counting on them and them must commit for the year.  Then at the end 
of the year have a party for them. Then provide information to administration on 
what happen.
 
Well, it seems to me that something's gotta give.
There are only so many hours in a day. I think you
should make a list of your priorities, including
amount of time needed, then make an appointment with
your admin. How large is your district? What kind of schedules and
responsibilities do other librarians have? Is there a
district supervisor?  It would seem to me that you could, at the very least,
get rid of the non-library jobs. At my school the
parent organization handles all the box top/coupons/labels.
 
I have never been in your situation and I can't imagine doing all that you
do. I hope you get some good advice from those who do have 2 schools. I
think seeing all classes 2 times a week is a lot. Could you cut to 1 time
per week with a 30 min lesson and 10 minutes for checkout and quiet reading?
That would allow for some "management" time.
Again, best wishes and good luck,

Renee C. Deweese, Media Coordinator 
Marble and Peachtree Elementary Schools 
renee.deweese@cherokee.k12.nc.us <mailto:renee.deweese@cherokee.k12.nc.us> 
 

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