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Thank you to all those that gave advice.
I had some people ask to post the responses :

I haven't made this jump, but this is my first year working full-time as a
librarian at a junior high school (grades 7-8). I made a brochure outlining
resources and services and included a bookmark with logins and passwords for
databases. I also addressed staff briefly at the first faculty meeting when
new teachers were introduced, and I was warm, friendly, and let them know
what kinds of research lessons I can design and/or teach. I always have
chocolate available on my desk. When teachers come in for chocolate, it's a
good time to get to know them one-on-one and make a good impression. Either
then or when they pass through the library to the copy room, I will
sometimes ask, "Sooo, when are you going to be bringing in your kids to do
some research." I always ask it with a smile, and I've actually had some
teachers plan with me and bring in their students from this personal invite.
:)

  Congratulations on entering the wonderful world in the middle! This is
my 32nd year in a middle school and I still love it. If it is a true
middle school with teachers working on teams, asking to be on the agenda
for a team meeting is worth considering. Ask them to consider what they
might want from you in the way of resources, instruction or support and
be ready to really listen. If they don't have requests in mind be
prepared to offer to work with them on projects which supports state or
national standards/state test areas. You may need to do most of the work
the first time, but when the word gets around that you are good to work
with it gets easier all the time. Teaming is great--planning a lesson
together can really build a strong partnership.
  One of the best ways to become acquainted is to have lunch with
people. I do a lot of listening and get to know their personal interests
as well as curriculum concerns and upcoming projects. Whenever a new
WWII book comes in I know which teacher wants it first. I try to rotate
between our four grade level lunches and on tough days spend time with
groups that are most congenial. People know they can vent to me and I
will listen sympathetically and it goes no further.
  Our staff has a tradition of Friday after school gatherings at a local
watering hole. We have planned a number of special projects for
students, done informal curriculum planning, and I pass along book ideas
regularly on those Fridays.
  Because middle school students are so intent on peer groups, the
positive feedback from students is not like an elementary building. In
our school the adults support one another and try to provide a
consistent, caring and positive atmosphere for the students. Being
positive, upbeat, responsive and flexible helps. I specialize in tech
support for technology-anxious teachers.
  Storytelling can also be alive and well. We do festivals tied to the
social studies curriculum in sixth and seventh grade and I am generally
a featured storyteller. I also do scary stories around Halloween,
folktales and myths as the curriculum requires and booktalks are a
steady request. 

I might not be the best person to give advice since a few of my LA teachers
refuse to come into the library, but  here goes.  What has worked for me in
the past are the following:
1.  Staff breakfast in library showcasing new books (I did this with my team
members so it wasn't too much $$ out of my pocket.)
2.  E-mails to subject area teachers with online resources to use in their
classes.  You can also do a library newsletter - Churchill Jr. HS in East
Brunswick (my Mom's school) does a "Media Mentionables" 8 times a year.  It
has new books listed, library news, trivia, a recipe (you can ask staff
members to contribute a favorite recipe), and other things.  It works at my
Mom's school, but I found that it wasn't that popular here.  I just keep in
touch with e-mails.
3.  Approach Language Arts teachers about doing booktalks and book
selections with their classes.  Ask them if they plan on having students
read a certain genre, study poetry, etc. and offer to pull books for them to
use with their classes.
4.  Speak at faculty meetings about your resources and how teachers can use
you and the library.
5.  Offer training classes using EBSCO, Grolier Online, or whatever
databases to which you subscribe.
6.  Ask social studies teachers what research projects they do, get copies,
and offer to help them with the research process, MLA citations, website
evaluation, etc.  I also teach an Internet research class but I used to
teach that type of stuff at the start of a social studies research project.
7.  Ask to attend department meetings, especially for LA & SS.
8.  Ask teachers (and sometimes students!) for book or subject
recommendations.  This is how I built up areas of my collection to support
the curricula.  
9.  Always look happy and enthusiastic even when you're not.



-- 
Mrs. Elizabeth Ullrich
Media Specialist
Cavallini Middle School
Upper Saddle River, NJ
eullrich@usrschoolsk8.com

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