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I have enjoyed reading this and will hold onto it. One thing I would suggest however: after reading this list, I'm reminded that most of us do our jobs with ease without writing down most of the answers to those questions. It would be SO HELPFUL if we all put together a packet with compiled questions and our answers and left it in our desk/file. What an enormous load we would be lifting off the principal/ & interview committee and librarian applicants who come after us to have something like this in writing. It would also ensure that all the work we have done to establish good things, would continue forward. Additionally, if people know the history as to when/how something originated, they will have more appreciation for it. Amy Watkins Central Middle School Lawton, OK "Gray, Patricia" <pgray@FCPS1.ORG> wrote: WOW! Thank you all so much for the wonderful questions - tons I had not even thought of. I truly appreciate each one of you taking the time to respond! Due to the number of replies I am going to cut and paste the responses. Many repeat - especially about the budget, fixed or flex schedule, and several other questions. I am sorry for the repeats but am afraid that I might leave some questions out otherwise. BTW - I work at a wonderful school and would never consider leaving but personal circumstances may dictate a move. HIT: flexible or fixed schedule; no. of classes per week teachers' attitude toward library, toward collaboration budget amount for books, AV, professional; will it be the same every year addtl. money from PTA etc.? book fairs other responsibilities include grant writing, who takes care of computer problems, no. of computer stations in library, printers ***************** You'll need to rephrase these so they don't offend :~) These are just a few things I'd like to know before I started somewhere. Good luck! Is the principal supportive of the library? What classes use the library and what do they use it for? Do I have input into the schedule? Do I get pulled for subbing/bus duty/lunch duty? How often is the library used/closed for testing/meetings? How much autonomy do I have for ordering books, AV materials, new formats, etc.? Am I the tech guru (fixing overheads, LCD's, computers)? If so, do I do it on my time or theirs (do I have a replacement overhead I can trade out, or do I have to drop everything and fix it then and there?) Who is responsible for policing, upgrading, and repairing library computers? What's the timetable if a computer goes down, typically? How many of your X computers are working well right now? Do I handle ID's? What's the discipline policy - do you get support from the administration for problem students? Do you get to decide how the library is used (a free-for all, a study place, classes only, mix) or do you take whoever walks through the door for whatever reason? Could I implement nontraditional events (gaming, weird book clubs, board games, chess tournaments, poetry slams)? Have you ever had a book challenge and if so how was it handled? If not, why not? (nonchallengable books, appropriate materials selection, good relations with community, etc., luck). Am I responsible for choosing and/or implementing new technologies throughout the school? Am I the coffee maker, the laminating queen, the photographer, the tape duplicator, or do I get to use my MLIS degree? Am I asked to break copyright laws by teachers/parents/principals/PTA head honchos? Am I the copyright police or a source of information about copyright? Do you like working here? *********************** Is there a library aid and if so, how many hours are they permitted? If there is an aid, are there hours shared with other teachers/classes at the school? What is the total school population? Average class size? Is the library time fixed or flex? How long are students allotted for library time? Does the school use Accelerated REAder (or other reading incentive program)? If so, what is the level of involvement of library staff in running this program? Does the school currently host book fairs and if so, are they typically hosted/run by the librarian or the PTO/PTA? Is there a complaint policy in place, and if so, what is the policy? If no policy is in place, how would complaints about books be handled? Is there a technology coordinator in-house or available within the school system? What is the budget for book purchases/supplies? Must it be spent by a certain time or is their flexibility? How are purchases handled, i.e., are they all filtered through an in-house bookkeeper or is there a central office that handles them? How is weeding handled? ******************* Be sure to ask about budget, that can be a killer you don't find out about until after you take the job. ******************* I would probably focus on actual expectations of the job itself. Maybe ask about the student population/class sizes, test scores (they always want to focus on test performance, how you can help tie the library into the curriculum, etc. Maybe ask about technology, databases, budget and purchasing responsibilities. Maybe find out what the typical teaching/instructional responsibilities are... ********************** 1. Do as much research as possible ahead of time on the town/school district/administration (google their names), etc. Frame some questions that show you've done your research, so they'll be impressed, e.g., "I see that X plant has shut down in the past year, causing the loss of X number of jobs. What effect is this having on the school district, and what plans are in place to encourage growth in the area?" 2. Research the local public library and, if possible, stop in ahead of time and have a visit with the director and/or head staff, to find out the lay of the land. Ask in a positive fashion, but try and get details about the town, past collaboration between the public and school libraries, what the former school librarian was like, etc. Promise them that if hired you'll work WITH them! 3. Ask to see what WRITTEN library policies are already in place. Ideally there will be complete and updated job descriptions for the librarian and any staff, collection development, technology plan, etc. Oftentimes I have found there to be NOTHING, which can be a horror the first day of work when you get there and don't even know how to log on the system. What I try to glean is how organized the former librarian was, so I will know how much catchup I have to do. 4. Ask what technology support is available in the building/district. Will you be expected to be a technician? Trouble shoot until the technician can be onsite? Teach staff/students how to use the technology? What kind of funds are available for the furtherment of your education in these areas if it is expected of you, and what kind of time/support will be given to you? 5. Try to arrive early and ask for a tour of the library or to just be allowed to wander around it yourself. Get a feel for the atmosphere of it, and what was important/neglected by the former librarian. In the interview, play up the strengths of what is already there, and frame in a positive fashion improvements you would like to make. 6. Remember that most likely everyone interviewing you has absolutely very little idea of what it is that a library media specialist actually does. They will know (maybe) what the last one did, and may have a vague notion of what they'd like to see in the future. They're mostly going to want to hear how you're going to be a strong member of the staff, and how you're going to make the library a more active element of the school. ******************** Depending upon whether it is an elementary school or secondary school...Is the library expected to have a "fixed" or "flexible" schedule during the day? And, ask for their definition of either. (that will surely give you an idea of "other expectations" to some degree). Also, what types of curriculum committees or curriculum support has the library been involved in in the past? What "vision" does the principal have for the library for the next 2-4 years? Has the library been involved in reading initiatives? Which ones? What community partners, i.e. PTA, local bookstores, local businesses, has the library had in the past to help assist with community-wide activities and the promotion of the library and reading? **************** Is there support for collaborative planning and teaching? Is the library program integral to the classroom curriculum, or is it an add-on used for teacher planning time? **************** I would ask if you have a budget and if you get to determine how it is spent. All purchases must be approved, but is the principle or secretary determining what purchases are "worthy"? ***************** If you ask, "How receptive is your faculty to collaborating with the librarian on lessons?" you are letting him or her know that you are ready and willing to work with the teachers as a partner in educating the students at the school. Another good question would be, "What types of reading incentive programs did your previous librarian put in place that you would want to keep?" followed by "Are there other programs that you are interested in trying?" You would need to have a couple of ideas (Family Reading Night, lunchtime book clubs, etc.) to offer in case he or she asks you what programs you would want to try. **************** I would want to know if they have fixed or flex scheduling and what the expectations are for teaching. **************** Ask size of collection, budget, etc. Ask to see a selection policy or ask if there is one in place. Ask student population. Ask if it's primarily research (hs level) or other aspects. You need to know how much control you have over your program. I never ask their expectations of me because the admin. isn't the one in control of the program. You are. Make sure there is a challenge policy in place, etc. **************** Why the vacancy? Flex or fixed schedule? What changes do you want me to make? What do you want me to keep the same? **************** Is there a Library Media Curriculum in place? Does the technology component of the curriculum take place within the library media curriculum? [Hopefully it is all integrated] Are there other Masters prepared librarians on staff? Who makes decisions for library purchases? Is there a person who must authorize expenditures to support curriculum? Is there a library web page? If so, does the librarian have the authority to update and alter web page information? Does the library participate in an interlibrary system or a statewide loan program (for example MeL Cat in Michigan)? Who handles that and what budget does it come from? *************** How much is the library budget? Is it flexible or fix schedule? *************** What is the budget? Line item or just a general amount? Available throughout the year as needed? Are there grant monies as well? Do I write the grant apps or is the money made available for me? Will I be expected to coach or sponsor a club or activity, like yearbook or drama? Will there be a sub for me if I am absent? What databases does the library subscribe to? *************** How are the essential elements of a library media program supported by you the principal and your staff? How is the reading program supported? Technology? Is there collaboration? Is Information literacy a part of your culture? Is the staff willing to embrace new technologies such as web 2.0 or are they running away from that and shutting it down? ************** Look at a detailed copy of the library budget!! Selection policy in place? Weeding policy? Book challenge procedures? ************** What is your library's mission? philosophy? What is your philosophy service? Is the librarian regarded as a teacher? What is your favorite reading? What exciting programs did the current librarian do? What changes, if any, would you like to see in the library? ************** What is the schedule, flexible or fixed? Do teachers collaborate with the librarian? (THese two are MOST important. Do you want to babysit or do you want to be an integral part of the school and the curriculum?) *************** Fixed or flex schedule, annual budget If they don't offer ask for a tour of the library. I took my current job without seeing the library and when I finally saw it realized I'd have years of weeding ahead of me. ************ I would ask what the level of collaboration is like between teachers and the librarian now and what they would want to be different, if anything. Also, how important is research in the building/what is their view of the library? ***************** In what ways does the administration support the library and its staff? Is there a selection policy in place that has been approved by the school board? **************** I would be interested in AR - does the school have it and who manages it and also how big is it at the school. AR was not managed in the library at miller when we started it - it is now though. Type of schedule - fixed or flexed - if you're in Fauquier - you wouldn't need this question but other counties have flex and also how they feel about moving to flex if they have a fixed. Resource rotation - planning periods? Some schools have a built in for resource - some do not. Teacher collaboration - how was this done previously - how did it work out. ************ How open is the teaching staff to collaboration with the teacher-librarian? What kind of units have been co-taught in the past? *************** How will you promote reading? What sort of programs will you do to bring in families and the community? How will you collaborate with the staff? How would you handle an irate student? parent? faculty member? How do you plan to raise additional funds to purchase books? ************** Be sure you ask about the schedule. Is it fixed or flexible? Ask about class size, if it is a fixed schedule. If the class size is over 25 (especially k-2) find out if you will have an aide. If you will have an aide, is the aide full time in the media center. (Full time never means full time, it means most of the time.) Most aides have lunch duty, or office duty or other things that keep them away from the library. Ask about technology. What do they have? What will you be responsible for? Are you going to be the go to tech person? Will there be time allotted for administrative duties (collection maintenance, etc.) Ask about other duties that you may have. *************** It's important to sound interested in the students and the school. Ask about the reading program - ask about curriculum integration - ask about team work - district goals - differentiated learning styles used. What outreach programs have been successful. Go in with ideas about making the library a dynamic center of the school. You can find out about automation and an aide ahead of time - you should go in to the interview knowing those two answers, and know how you would deal with them. Bone up on their automation system ahead of time. Your questions sound like you are interviewing for a job at Walmart - not a professional dynamic one where you will need to be a leader to make the library a vital part of the school. ********** How many years experience does the school district credit new teachers with on the salary schedule? *********** How about the responsibility for extended library hours, i.e., before school, after school, summer.... Is there a paid week for the media specialist before or after school ends? If you write the questions out, add an e to spell it "aide." Our district has dropped the word, aide, and now uses instructional assistants, although our libraries do not have same! How about a question about committees that one might serve on. ************ I'd definitely want to know: - what the library budget is - how the budget process works (do you submit a proposal or do they tell you what you can spend?) - how supportive is the administration/district - depending on the grade: are teachers expected to stay with their classes during library class? - is there a sense of collaboration among the staff? -what sort of person was the previous librarian? ( proactive? A collaborator? a policeman?) -depending on the grade: is there a book fair and who runs it and how much has the profit been over the past few years -are there special programs such as book clubs that you would need to monitor -library hours? -currency of the collection -is there a virtual library web page? Subscription databases? ************ I'd definitely ask whether the library is used as a holding tank (either as a place when there is not a sub available, or for detention). Ask also whether there is a budget for the library. ************** If it is an elementary school I would ask about scheduling, fixed or flex and I would also ask about opportunities for collaboration with classroom teachers. ************* Flexible schedule or fixed? If it's a fixed schedule, how many classes per week? How long are the periods? Am I covering teacher prep time? How much was last year's budget? How many kids am I servicing? Are there alternate routes for funding, ie: can I run a book fair or other such fund raiser? What AV equipment am I responsible for? Do I take care of the classroom equipment? Who is my direct supervisor? Is there opportunity to meet with the teacher in level meetings to discuss curriculum needs? AR? Are there computers in the library? Who uses them? How many books are in the collection? What is the average age of the collection? And perhaps the biggest question of all, Why is there an opening?? ************* I would ask what type of scheduling they use--fixed or flex? I would also ask if they use a reading program such as AR or Reading Counts. Patricia H. Gray pgray@fcps1.org Librarian, Ritchie Elementary New Baltimore, VA -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book. To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation. * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/ * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html -------------------------------------------------------------------- Amy --------------------------------- No need to miss a message. Get email on-the-go with Yahoo! Mail for Mobile. Get started. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book. 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