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In my original Target post, I requested ideas for a new librarian at the high school level. I got some great responses and SEVERAL requests for a HIT. Here is the original request and below that is the compilation of responses. As always, thanks to all who responded for such wonderful ideas, insights, and timely responses. >>>> "Ronda Y. Foust" <rfoust150@COMCAST.NET> 07/18/07 8:59 AM >>> >>>> > I've prowled through the archives a little, but am curious as to > whether any of you have any ideas to share with a new librarian at > the high school level. I'll be meeting with my new principal this > week to talk about long-term goals and would love to be armed with > some great ideas for things you've tried (and that worked-or didn't > and why) for collection development, encouraging students and > teachers to make more and/or different use of the library, pitfalls > to avoid, etc. I loved the recent post about a genealogy lesson and > am looking into the feasibility of using wikis and blogs (my > understanding is that our filters don't allow them but that sometimes > you can get the powers that be to open access to certain sites). I'm > thinking that it'd be great to see if there's interest in a student > book club or teacher book club, student reviews of books, and things > of that nature and have been thinking about ideas for book displays-- > like the "Seen the Movie, REad the Book!" with a board/blog/wiki for > students to comment on what they think of the two. Of course, I > don't have a clue what will "fly" and what will flop, but I guess > that's part of the excitement and I'd love to hear about other ideas > from the collective wisdom. I'll be happy to post a hit. ______ Follett is the official distributor of playaways. You'd impress him with those. Also, podcasting is becoming hot right now. We're going to do some this year with students who have read books, and we'll put those on the library's website for free download. We host a club called Read-N- Feed, which is our student book discussion group. We all read the same book, then meet once a month to discuss that month's book while we eat lunch. We provide Oreos (a tradition) and drinks. Occasionally, we'll spring for pizza. The faculty has its own group, but it takes turn meeting at homes. We do a LOT of research in this library, so we provide lots of databases. We purchase award winning adult fiction as well as YA fiction along with some lower levels for the spec ed kids. With playaways, one of the neat things is that you can slow down the narration for the reading challenged. You can also hook them up to computer speakers and broadcast the novel to the entire class as they read along. These are proving popular with our students to help them get through the classics. _____________________________________ I'd definitely work on the bookclub idea---most high school students enjoy this. I've done it with a "Freshman Only" program and it was interesting to see how many upper classmen felt that they hadn't had the opportunity to have a "club" too. The next year, I opened only one other section (sophomores)....since we also had a "One Book, One School" program that the other students participated in each year. I worked on a Freshman Study Skills program that introduced students to ways to search online, how to cite information, etc. This was an "extra" program added to their schedule for a two month period at the beginning of the year. I believe it helped to get them started on the research projects that were immediately introduced following their Study Skills program---so you might want to consider working something into a schedule, if you can. If not, you might want to consider asking for time next year to add this component to a class. I offered students the opportunity to suggest books (and then be the first to check them out once they arrived). I did a "favorite book" blog...and used book covers with reviews written about the book as a screensaver (you have to import a PowerPoint into your screensaver settings to do this and run it as a kioske presentation.) Aside from wikis and blogs, you might want to consider introducing the new iSkills (formerly known as the ICT test) testing program that will become available soon. This will test students on their ability to use critical thinking skills as they also implement technology into solving problems. Right now the project is an "optional" test...but I think higher education / colleges are looking into making it a mandatory program because of the lack of skills that many freshmen have when they arrive at college. The iSkills test is available here: http://tinyurl.com/ekk46 Also, you might want to "pre-test" your students in regards to Information Literacy skills by using the TRAILS test available from Kent University. It may help you to determine what you need to teach throughout the year and what things the students already know. To access the site, go to: http://www.library.kent.edu/page/11387 __________________________________________ Last year I moved from an early childhood school to high school. It wasn't as huge a jump as I thought it would be. The main thing I did was work to get to know the students, the teachers, and the subjects being taught. You have to go through the year and see what kinds of major projects are being done and try to make sure you have the resources. I think if you just remember what you know is good librarian practice in collection development and service, you will see what the needs are. Long-term goals are a good idea, and it's great for the principal to help with this. But don't forget to give yourself credit for seeing a simple need and filling it, such as moving all the graphic novels to a display shelf up front. One thing I had to deal with, and I don't want to sound negative, but you have to set boundaries. I think the previous librarian in my position left because she was dumped on. Teachers were bringing in classes without a lesson plan, turning them loose in the computer lab, taking a seat as far away from the students as possible, putting up their feet and reading the paper. In other words, they considered the library a babysitting service that gave them a free period. They also saddled her with being in charge of the senior prom, chairing a school improvement committee, and several other jobs nobody else wanted. I kind of intuited all this and tried to say no firmly but tactfully. I actually did quite a bit of work on the school improvement stuff because I like to write, but I just kept smiling and saying, "you don't want me in charge of your prom, trust me" and co-sponsored a quieter organization, the Beta Club. I kept asking for lesson plans in advance so I could gather resources. If the teacher holed up in the corner or left the library, I would go get him/her and say a student needed them. Another "negative" is you have to keep students from doing inappropriate things on the computers. Sometimes it seemed like that's all I did! In the middle of the year they put "Vision" on my computer, and when I caught a few people on myspace (and one googling 'gay sex' ) it got better as the word spread. But it does take a lot of supervision. I discovered that keeping a "bookstore" was a valuable service that brought people into the library to meet me and see my displays. I sold pencils, paper, index cards, poster board, etc. Some librarians don't like to mess with this, because it means making school supply runs a couple of times a month. But many students didn't have transportation to Wal-Mart, and I think it's worth it. I'm thinking about selling some small flash drives next year. Another thing I didn't have the opportunity to do in elementary was play with databases. I signed up for several free trials, such as Grolier Online and Rosen Teen Wellness, then worked them in when I had classes in the lab. I will probably buy Teen Wellness this year. We used TEL a lot, and since nettrekker is free in Tennessee now, we used that too. Nettrekker is really good for special ed and diverse classes because you can get information on different levels. I began to use wikipedia with ESL students because it comes in Spanish and several other languages, although I tried to teach its limitations. I helped fill out a lot of FAFSAs, proofread English papers, and launched Resume Wizards, but I wouldn't allow online shopping or ANY downloads. Oh yes. You have to set rules for individual students coming to the library, or they will abuse the privilege. You want to discourage those who are lurking to get out of class and the "internet recess" which can get you, the student, and the hard drive into a lot of trouble. I made a reproducible library pass that had to state the student's assignment and the approximate time they were expected back. If it just said "computer" I sent them back. In short, just be open to needs, be friendly and flexible, and be ready to be a valuable part of the team, but don't be a doormat. High school is fun, with a little something for everyone. Best of luck. Ronda Y. Foust School Media Specialist Karns High School Knoxville, TN readingdragon@comcast.net http://thebookdragon.blogspot.com/ -------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 * LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------