I tend to think that it's not unreasonable to say no, but it's all in
how you say it. Saying "No, you didn't plan ahead & I'm not staying
late" will create a negative attitude. Saying, "You know, I usually
like to get these requests 2-3 days ahead of time (or whatever your
timeframe is), but I realize last minute things come up (haven't you
ever done anything last minute? I know I'm last minute Sally, and some
of those are my best lessons) Let me see what I can do for you- I'll get
something together."
Then you pull one or two books for each topic and put a note on there
(since you won't be there, otherwise you'd tell them yourself) that they
should go on a treasure hunt to find the rest of the books by using the
skills you've taught them to find the other books that are in the
library. If you tell them you left some of the best books on the shelf,
they may be more motivated to find them! That way you are appeasing the
teacher, but still enforcing the lessons you taught. And, as Barbara
said, you make a comment about how you look forward to planning ahead
with this teacher in the future to increase student learning. Even a
little email or note asking for upcoming projects periodically may be a
good idea.
It is always in the delivery and how you word and say something that
makes all the difference in how people perceive you. I'd rather not be
seen as the librarian that doesn't accommodate teachers- bad for
business and won't get you anywhere when it comes to collaborating with
teachers. AND, I feel better about myself and my job because I know I've
acted kindly even if someone else is rude.
Best of luck,
Aimee Allison
Teacher Librarian
Homecoming Coordinator
Lake Park High School- West Campus
Roselle, IL
630-295-5382
aallison@lphs.org
-----Original Message-----
From: School Library Media & Network Communications
[mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Barbara Jansen
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 9:49 AM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: [LM_NET] Vent w/ signature
If I don't pull those books for that teacher who didn't plan ahead of
time, she will most likely never consider using the library as a source
of
information again and may even spread the word to others. Staying a
little
longer or coming in a little earlier the next day to get the books will
go
a long way to nurturing a teacher who thinks of us the next time she and
her students have an information need.
When delivering the books, I would say to her that next time I'd love to
plan ahead with her to teach her students some skills and additional
electronic resources to help them with the next project and to make her
job teaching kids how to research easier.
You will create one more teacher advocate for your program.
Barb
Barbara A. Jansen
Librarian/Technology Coordinator
St. Andrew's Episcopal Upper School
5901 Southwest Parkway
Austin, TX 78735
512.299.9687
512.299.9660 (fax)
bjansen@sasaustin.org
http://library.sasaustin.org/
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