Re: [LM_NET] TAR: Librarians hired before degree complete?

[Lisa Hunt <lisa3moon@YAHOO.COM>]

I have held back to answer, but a couple of things really steam me about hiring the 
LMS w/o certification or degree.  While my good friend/colleague Shonda B 
eloquently described the good things for a practicing librarian I would like to 
point out a few BIG disadvantages.

We have a few LMS in our district who came to the job while finishing their media 
degrees, and I have noticed that several aspects of the job come with difficulty.  
The LMS who is practicing while still earning the degree isn't aware of many 
aspects of cataloging and collection development, proactive behaviors to develop 
true collaboration with teachers, the need for administrative behavior in the LMS 
position, and the confidence to make the decisions necessary to develop an 
integrated program.

Yes, I know many just out of school need time to learn skills, to.  We all need 
that seasoning time, but I've talked with LMS who really struggle and deal with big 
issues AFTER the fact because they were not fully prepared.  I am angry when I hear 
this from a librarian, "My assistant does all of our cataloging, because I really 
don't know how to do it."  

We already fight an uphill battle about our image and "what we do" besides check 
out books.  It doesn't help when our colleagues aren't fully prepared.

I'm not disagreeing with the previous postings, but so far I read all praise for 
the situations.  I just don't think it's a good thing, but we have a Catch-22 
here.  There is no really effective Plan B because librarians are in short supply.  
I guess I would feel better if education administrators understood the difficulties 
that can arise when an LMS is practicing w/o the degree and certification.  

Thanks for letting me post my two cents here.  Those who know me know that I'm not 
negative, but I'm not ready to praise this situation just yet.
 
Lisa Hunt, NBCT 2005
School Library Media Specialist
Apple Creek Elementary
Moore, OK
lisa3moon@yahoo.com 




________________________________
From: Barbara Braxton <barbara.288@BIGPOND.COM>
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Sent: Thursday, May 7, 2009 5:18:53 PM
Subject: Re: TAR: Librarians hired before degree complete?

I am another who was invited to take on the teacher librarian position with plenty 
of 'teacher'
experience but no 'librarian'.  I did not have a mentor but I did have a fabulous 
clerical who
taught me about the day-to-day management while I did my masters. 

Because I now mark some units of that same course I am able to reflect on that 
experience and, to he
honest, I think that, at the time, I was too busy with the daily detail to 'get' 
the big picture.
But I did have some great aha! moments (still do even though I've retired) and, 
after the first
semester, it started to make sense and my expertise became more balanced between 
skills and
understanding. With the papers I mark it is hard to determine whether the candidate 
is 'in the job'
by their responses.  Because of another program, I do know the situation of many 
but I can't say
that they give better responses than those who are not.  I think there are many 
other variables
including the role models the candidate has had,  their personal passion for 
learning and whether
the philosophies they are introduced to actually fit with those they hold, their 
willingness to be
challenged and changed, all those sorts of 'un-measurables'.  I might also add that 
the number of
HDs or Distinctions you get is not an indicator of the job you will do.  Like 
everything, it boils
down to the relationships you build.

The issue that many have with non-qualified personnel is that it gives the 
impression that anyone
can do the job, so if a teacher is appointed I believe that there should be a 
significant commitment
by that person to undertake formal qualifications.  If they are already in a 
course, and are the
best candidate for the job it shouldn't be an issue.  

But if Alissa is in a position to offer this person help with her decision then why 
do you ask her
why she has a problem.  That way your advice would be targeted at that issue,
Barbara

Barbara Braxton
Teacher Librarian
COOMA NSW 2630
AUSTRALIA

E. barbara.288@bigpond.com
Together we learn from each other 

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