Wow what a great discussion we had about reading "on the job". I had a few
requests for a hit, so it is below. I mostly included just the responses
sent directly to me. There were too many to include the ones on the list as
well.
I think the responses were about split down the middle (although that is not
a scientifically drawn conclusion) to those who did read during the workday
and those that did not.
Those who did not gave three reasons:
1. Lack of time
2. Perception of others that you do not have enough to do and comments
from others (a few even had principals tell them specifically NOT to read)
3. A few said they get too engrossed in books and were worried they
would ignore patrons
** This was a good reminder to me that I always need to look up and smile
anytime someone approaches my desk, no matter what I am doing. (something I
forget, especially when I am typing on my computer.)
Those who do read said:
1. It was important to set a good example to others
2. It is part of our job and should not be ignored.
Thanks for a great discussion and many views on the subject to ponder.
Original Post -
Just curious - how many of you actually READ, during the day, in the
library?
This is my first year in the library and I never have time to read while =
at school. I TRY to read a book every evening. Well, last night I started =
Sid Fleischman's The Entertainer and the Dybbuk but didn't finish it. I was
dying to now how it ended. It was a quiet period so I decided to finish = it
up before I processed it. (we're talking 20 pages here.)
Well you would have thought, I was lying down taking a nap. Everybody = that
walked by my door (my desk is right by the door ) made a comment. "I'm =
going to give you a job." "If you've got time to read, I've got something
for = you to do." Etc. Next time, I'm going to go hide behind the stacks to
read!
I just find it interesting that people are surprised to see a librarian
reading. I guess it just goes along with the fact that many people = really
just have no idea what it is that we do all day.
_____
Each year, I think,"This will be the year that I read during times that =
are free." BUT....the "free time" never materializes!
I would love to read during the morning before school when there are so =
many kids reading quietly. I think it would be great for them to see me =
reading along side of them.=20 Someday..............
_____
I almost never read in the library. If I do, it's book reviews, and I make
sure to read w/a pen and highlighter in hand so people can tell that I'm
"working."
_____
As much as I would love to read at work, I think the reaction you got is
very typical, and I don't want to send the message that I don't have
anything else to do, which is how it's usually interpreted. I've heard it
too many times, "I wish I had a job where I could read all day!" =20
My main concern is that faculty, administration and students will come to
feel that I'm dispensable if I read all day - why would they pay me to sit
and read? (I can think of reasons, but I'm not sure they'd buy
them.) I read at home - I say that's my "homework" - other teachers grade
papers; I read.=20
_____
Yes, my assistant and I have both been caught reading (gasp). We are also =
frequently caught reading during our lunch time...yes, i know its shocking =
behavior. But in all seriousness, we answer those questions with the =
reply, "We are reviewing these books before shelving them so that we can =
assist students in book selection"
_____
I made it a point to always be busy, to be seen to be doing something. (It
was NEVER of case of having to find something to do, it was a case of which
job was most pressing.) I did this because its the kind of person I am, but
also because of the extremely negative comments I heard about a predecessor
of mine who was often seen reading the newspaper, or a book, "on the job".
Sadly, the general public or faculty will never understand that keeping up
with current events, what's new and valuable in literature, non-fiction,
professional journals, etc. is part of the job... their view will always be
'I never have time to take a breath.. how come he can sit and read all day?'
or 'We didn't get a raise this year, and were short a math teacher... and we
pay him to sit and read?' Now, imagine those thoughts in an administrator's
head.
You might be able to get away with "I'm modeling good literacy habits", but
that would probably only fly during something like SSR periods.
I did make a point to mention to kids and staff about things I was reading
at home. I usually worked in a comment that there wasn't time to read here,
but that I had several books at home I was just finishing and had really
enjoyed, etc. Any discussion about hobbies or recreation was a chance to
mention that reading was always a big part of my life.
_____
Maybe we should all switch to ebooks...then you can be reading while you are
looking "busy" at the computer. :-}
_____
I guess I am the oddball here (what a surprise). I don't give a hoot what
people think of me or what I am doing. When I have received a remark about
"wouldn't it be nice if....?" I have responded. "Yes it is very nice." If I
am feeling a little nasty or don't like the tone of the remark, I have
responded "I would be more than happy to get you some information about a
library school if=C2=A0 you are interested."It has been years since I have
heard such a remark. Usually, I hear - "what are you reading?" Then I can
share that book with the person.I am a being - not a doing. Whatever I work
on during the day, I am being
- I am being a teacher, a librarian, a student, a seeker, etc. I can not
worry about someone's perception of the job I am doing. I am a superb
librarian and that is my approach to life.
_____
I read for at least a half hour each day during the school day. It took me
many, many years to feel comfortable enough to even try it. I would
guiltily read the journals for book reviews, making sure that people would
know that they were work related magazines. I decided that reading during
the day when students might walk in on me was a great example of modeling.
The teachers in my building wholeheartedly support my habit as it makes me
much better informed, which ends up benefitting them. Yes, I still read at
home, listen to books in the car, but also at work. Once when I was caught
reading by the curriculum director, I felt I needed to explain myself. She
looked at me as if I was crazy and replied that it was part of my job. I
guess I feel fortunate that I have such support.
There will always be something else I could be doing, but I will continue
to read, as my pleasure is also my work.
_____
Hi folks,
I believe Anita has hit on a vital element to any reading (off- or on-line)
we do in the library.
> I make sure to read w/a pen and highlighter in hand so people can tell
> that I'm "working."
My rules about on the job reading have always been to:
1. Read at my desk (no slouching in the bean bag chairs) 2. Read with a pen
and paper my hand 3. Read materials related to my job 4. Never, never, never
be seen leaving my building without a bag o' work (just like the other
teachers) 5. Always be aware that perceptions are as important as reality
Many of us have one of the few positions in our buildings with discretionar=
y resources - time, budgets, and duties, and therefore need to be
extra-transparent about how we "spend" those resources.
_____
This is really fascinating. My first response was that of course I read in =
the library. What do I read? Almost every new picture book as it comes in. =
Mail time is usually after 3:30. When I am prepping a class, I may reread =
a picture book to see if I still want to read it aloud. When classes have =
a quiet reading I may pick up what I was reading. When I weed, I read. I =
read bits and pieces of new non-fiction and sort for what teacher may want =
it for curriculum after processing or if need right away before processing.=
I read through School Library Journal and Library Sparks and The Horn = book
and Knowledge Quest while I am waiting for classes to come in and = settle.
If I get to school early and have only a few pages or chapter to = go, I
open the library, put on a pot of hot water for tea and finish the = book so
I don't have to carry it home and can pass it on. Big fiction and =
non-fiction have to wait for the commute, fortunately, unfortunately, I =
have an hour subway ride each way. I know this will probably get me in =
trouble but I have been known to come in on a Saturday to catch up on my =
picture book reading. I say hi to whoever is around, say I'm not here and =
hide in my office with the piles. I try not to drag piles of picture =
books home. Too heavy.
And yes our reading is may be misunderstood and I often get "it must be =
nice..." from those who don't understand what I do and I often invite =
interested parties to shadow me for a day. They get over their envy pretty =
quickly and leave with an armload of books for their own reading. Of =
course I do think I have the best job in the school and don't blame them =
if they think so too. I do offer information on how to achieve their own =
MLIS.
_____
As a middle school librarian, I try to read a book a day. I usually start
it during the day and finish it in the evening. I think it serves as a good
model for students. Your are right, teachers assume you are doing nothing
if you are reading. Even faculty members who send for the newspaper to read
during class think I'm goofing off if they catch me reading. I just smile
and say, "That's what /I like about my job."
_____
I read during schoolwide SSR. I also try to take time (this has fallen by
the wayside recently as I've gotten busy with other things) to read a book
from the collection that I'm not familiar with, so I can know better how to
help students find books. This is my first year as a librarian, and this
library is completely new to me, so I want to become familiar with the books
I've never heard of before. I haven't gotten any comments, but I don't know
that anyone has actually come into the library while I was reading, as my
library is a ways away from the major traffic flow of the school. Obviously,
if reading is the primary focus, then the rest of our job isn't getting
done, but I don't see any problem with taking some time to familiariaze
yourself with the collection. If that's not part of the job description, it
should be!
_____
I have a sign--SSR--8:31-8:54--that I slap on my door window every morning
and nothing short of a bomb threat, stops me from reading then. If
colleagues see me reading and think I'm not professionally engaged, that's
their problem. If it becomes a critical element in my evaluation where an
admin type's gonna give me the axe, I'll just retire again. If I don't read
some every day, I become physiologically bent out of shape
_____
try to read 1-2 hrs a day in the library... I begin with the Bible about 7
AM -- then switch to whatever YA book I am reading for YALSA/PPYA later..
then of course the newspaper also. I can't encourage reading if I am never
seen reading.
The rest of the work can just wait. Reading is my first priority and what
isn't done just isn't done. So be it.
_____
Tere, I forgot to say the most important thing about my job. Our students
depend on me to tell them about books that they just shouldn't miss. Our
teachers think I'm some sort of gifted book genius and they all tell their
students that all they have to do is tell me their hobbies, subjects of
interest, blah blah, and that I can find them a novel that they'll like.
Some times I feel highly overrated but indeed I love it! I do most of my
reading at home, but I think to read at school during the day is allowable
so I can continue receiving those accolades! :-)
_____
I just had to reply to you for 2 reasons. First I just wanted to let you
know that you are not the only one this happens to. I NEVER read in the
library for just that reason. You're right it is ridiculous that we can't
do it without some comment about having nothing to do. Reading books IS
part of our job.
_____
I was recently told by my principal that reading is something I should do
during my free time (as in, not at school.) I'm of two minds about that. I
do think it's a legitimate use of time for someone whose job description
emphasizes reviewing and recommending books to students.
Honestly, how else am I supposed to know about them? On the other hand,
there's not much time for just sitting and reading (even with a highlighter
in hand, or whatever) and besides, it's not worth the comments and remarks
I'd get from colleagues. I'd get sick of defending myself all the time, and
I probably wouldn't convince anybody that I was using my time well anyway.
Most of them spend evenings grading papers, so I figure it's fair that I'm
expected to spend my evenings reading kids' novels.
_____
I'm actually going through my picture book collection right now, trying to
read each one to get a better grasp on what's available for readalouds,
curriculum ties, recommendations, etc. It's cumbersome to drag home stacks
of picture books every night, so I do that project at school when I have a
few minutes. But, like another member said, I'm careful to make it obvious
I'm taking notes, making lists, etc. as I read. In other words, I try not
to look like I'm having too much fun.
:)
_____
Each year, I think,"This will be the year that I read during times that are
free." BUT....the "free time" never materializes!
I would love to read during the morning before school when there are so many
kids reading quietly. I think it would be great for them to see me reading
along side of them.
Someday..............
_____
I read almost everyday!!! Many times on the sofa in the middle of the
library. I do this for a few reasons:
1) Some books in the process of selection need to be read to make sure they
are appropriate for my school's population.
2) What a great example it shows the students!
3) I never present a book during a lesson that I have not read first.
4) I read new books that don't seem to have much movement so that I can
honestly recommend them to students and teachers.
5) I just plain like reading!!!!
If someone asks, I just say it goes with the job and I am working myself
into the ground!
Happy Reading!
_____
Iread YA lit on my lunch hour. I never read a book during the school day. I
will occasionally read professional journals when I am at the front desk
monitoring study hall students.
Teachers in my school make snarky comments if they see you reading. I don't
need to hear those.
_____
I very rarely read in the library on my own--even my lunch gets interrupted
often enough to keep me on the same page the whole time! I do feel the need
to be sneaky because I'm afraid somebody will come in and think of something
else I need to do. (Like teaching every class every week, the quarterly
newsletter, the spelling bee, the yearbook, and the teacher's association
building rep isn't enough!. . oh yeah, and all the normal library stuff!)
But, every once in a while, instead of a skills lesson with my classes, I'll
just do a read aloud and then have the kids check out books and read
silently. I do sit down and just read my own with them then.
_____
I can get "caught" by a book and read a bit of it in the library during the
day. I used to read during my lunch hour, but now that I'm in an independent
school, lunch is in the dining hall with the other teachers and the
students. So I mostly read at home. I consider it my homework. But I don't
think you need to apologize for reading during work. You would be a pretty
shoddy school librarian if you didn't know the collection!!
_____
I read with my students when I have scheduled quiet reading time. (I am on
a fixed schedule and have students every day, all day.) That is when I
really don't have a "library lesson". I think that it is very important to
demonstrate the joy of reading as an adult role model. I read all different
levels (K - 5) and take AR tests and post my results for the students to
see.
If someone made a comment to me like they did to you, I would tell them that
I am very lucky because knowing my books is a part of my job and that just
meant sometimes I have to read after all...that is what I am here to
promote. Depending on who it was-and how many times they harassed me, I may
hand them a brochure on how to get their degree so they can become a
librarian, too.
Read On! tee hee!
_____
When we have school-wide SSR, I always read. Otherwise, it really IS hard to
find the time. Still, the kids expect that we've read every novel and can
recommend to their interests, and the teachers think we've read all the NF
and can pull materials for their units without thinking. Sometimes, it's
impossible to catalog an item without reading some of it.
I absolutely agree with you that reading is part of our official job.
Can you imagine a good librarian who didn't read?
--
_____
I would LOVE to have the time to read during the day- but I don't! I am
keeping up with equipment circulation, class visits, planning for next
week's classes, processing and ordering books, helping students find books
and keeping up with e-mail I barely have time to eat lunch on some days!
Genevieve
_____
I never have time to read on the job.
The most reading I get in is to read the back cover of a book in order to
recommend it to a kid.
But it's very true as well - no one has any friggin' idea what we do all
day!
_____
I do, occasionally, but usually don't have time. I think we should read
though. I say "I don't have time to take all of these books home, and I want
to make sure they're appropriate for my student patrons. Reading is my job!"
_____
I found it a bit strange that we want to make an excuse for reading in the
library. We should not even consider it. If you want to read, it is part
of your professional duty as a librarian to read the books, whether it is
for enjoyment of to help students finding a good book later. We are
surrounded by our resources, and if we do not make a time to read the books
or the newspaper or what ever, then I do not know why we are librarians in
the first place.
Do any of the other teachers question the track and field coach if he stands
on the track with a whistle in his mouth? No, because he is doing his work.
No one will ever question an English or Civics teacher reading the
newspaper! No, because they are looking at current event articles. So....
For the rest of us that does not feel guilty in our positions- Happy
Reading!!
_____
My message to Tere got a weird reply so I'll reply to the whole group.
I don't really have the time to read during the school day. I do read the
newspaper at lunch if I'm by myself (which doesn't happen often--I eat in
the library's back room). It's not so much about feeling guilty but just
other priorities.
I do have one memory, however, from childhood which provides a caution to
reading. When I was a kid I found it very intimidating to go up to the
public librarian and interrupt her if she was reading. I take the attitude
that the patron is almost always my priority and try to stay alert if
someone approaches me. I know most of us probably do that as well but I'm
particularly sensitive to it because of my earlier experience.
_____
One of my biggest booktalks was done when I was reading in the library.
The network was down - I had a group of students reading in the library, so
I thought I would finish an Alex Rider book -- the one about the clones.
Usually a book starts typing up loose ends by the last chapter, but I read
the very last sentence and couldn't tell if the good or bad guy survived.
My instinctive response was to yell "NO!", and I threw the book across the
room!! Heads popped up, and then hands raised -- can I have that book next?
Can I?
However, I usually do not have time to get engrossed in a book like that --
will do some "spot" reading -- scanning. I take my books home to read and
generally fall asleep with one on my face! Interesting thread!
_____
After students are all checked out (in those classes without perpetual
stragglers) I sometimes take a book and join the students in the soft
seating area, or on the story steps. I think it is good to model for them.
While they are reading, I am reading.
_____
When I was in my last school, I rarely read in the library because I just
didn't have time, and I find that I need to curl up without distraction to
really enjoy something anyway. But I read voraciously at home and for 10
years did not read an adult's book. Consequently, when I was asked, "What
do you have ...." staff and students were quite amazed at the variety of
titles (fiction and non fiction) that I could suggest. (I also did all the
data entry of new titles so knew their content but that's another story ...)
Anyway, the point is that I am no longer in that school (or any school) and
I was not replaced when I left. (The library is not high on the principal's
agenda). Everything is done by my para who was/is excellent at what she
does (admin and circulation) but she often tells me that staff and students
are really frustrated now because she cannot direct them to resources in the
way I could and their leisure and curriculum support needs are not being
met.. She even makes a point of saying, "Barbara would have known but she
wasn't replaced," in the hope that it will engender a groundswell that will
have a qualified t/l employed. (Fat chance!)
If you have the time and opportunity to read, never apologise or hide it.
If someone makes that stupid remark of "It must be nice ..." say , "Well,
tell me what your interests are and I'll find something for you."
Knowing the collection is a fundamental part of our role.
_____
I try to read everyday on my job. How can I do my job if I haven't read an=
y of the books? I have 4 study halls on Tuesday and Thursday that I have t=
o babysit, so I get a lot done on those two days. I don't consider my read=
ing at school any different than a teacher grading papers at school. And, =
yes, I read a lot at home, too. What do I read? I'm a PreK-12 librarian, =
so I read all of the new picture books that come in. I read all 20 of the =
state reading program books each year. I try to read at least one of every=
series that I am adding to the library so I can better direct students to =
it. I think reading is one of my biggest responsibilities and I don't feel =
the slightest bit sorry about doing it at school. I've even told my aide t=
o read. She is also supposed to be helping kids find books, she needs to k=
now what's in them.
_____
the only reading I get to do, if i do at all, is reading some reviews but
most of that is done at home.
_____
I would bet that most librarians read a bit at some point during their day
or week, particularly when a box of new books arrive. I have read, on
occasion, for twenty minutes or so before getting back to work. Actually,
being aware of the literature is part of the job, so it is work.
I try to read a book a day as well, but I read on the underground on the way
to work and on the way home. It's a 45 minute journey each way and I get
quite a lot read in that time period.
Keep up the good work!
_____
This is probably a little late in the conversation, but, if you had been
standing by a shelf of fiction books, people would have maybe thought you
were looking for some book in particular. I know it's a ruse, but, oh well.
People who are not librarians just don't understand that reading is our JOB.
The pen in hand suggestion, with paper, or at least an index card for making
a bibliography is good, too. My mentor used to make an index card with an
annotation for every one of the thousands of books she read. You could have
a few for teachers to read on a table in the lounge. They'd start to figure
out what you are doing. . .working (reading) for their benefit. The next
time there is a faculty meeting, preview a couple of new books with 1-minute
summaries to reinforce to the community that your are reading to make sure
you can meet curriculum needs.
Actually, they're probably jealous, because their reading is boring. . .like
a hundred bad book reports, bird project, or some other atrocious assignment
they have given ;)
The same kind of thing happens during the one minute that there are no kids
in the library. You'll get comments about that, too. Circulation
statistics reported once in a while--like "Hey! Our students checked out
xxx books yesterday, last month, etc. Congratulations to all the Bulldog
readers! You are reading to succeed!" Do this on the announcements once in
a while--but not every day. It helps give the picture that you are really
busy in the library. . which I'm sure, you really are.
Cheers! and Happy Reading (in the library)
_____
I read in the library from time to time, generally as I was
unpacking/cataloging new books but usually it was just the picture books or
something very short or if I had a few minutes between classes but since
you're secondary you're dealing with longer works which would make it
harder. As you are finding out there's just too much to do during the day.
Sometimes I just couldn't resist something a little longer, at least
starting it. Inevitably, someone would walk in and make the same comment
you heard. Just laugh it off. Reading IS part of your job. How else are
you going to find out what's in those books so you can make recommendations?
Have fun with your job. It's a great profession.
_____
No matter what I was doing in the library, reading, working on the computer,
shelving, laughing, visiting with teachers, our patrons perceived that we
weren't really working! But they sure loved coming in the library for the
candy and book recommendations, and help with everything, from listening to
personal problems to working on their lesson plans, etc., etc., etc.
Perception is always a tricky part of your position in a school.
Just keep making time to read and do EVERYTHING else and maintain that
excellent and helpful rapport you have with the faculty and staff at your
school and you will be FINer than frog's hair! LOL!
_____
Why wouldn't a librarian be reading in the library? What better way to set
the example for her patrons.
Tere Hager
Secondary Librarian
Brentwood Christian School
11908 N. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, Tx 78753
512-835-5983 X 27
thager@brentwoodchristian.org
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