Wow! So many people had great advice! I feel better and more overwhelmed at the
same time! What makes my situation a little more complicated is that I will be
starting a 6-week maternity leave just 2 weeks after school starts. (New job and
new baby--two wonderful adventures starting in the same month!) I will feel much
better if I can get a lot accomplished this summer. Looks like I've got my work
cut out for me, but I can't wait! Thanks to everyone who sent advice!
A few people asked me to post a HIT, so here you go. (WARNING: This is a very long
post!)
* I would become familiar with your collection and see if the physical set up
of the library suits your style.
* So, I take it you are on a fixed schedule? If that is the case, do you
have a predetermined curriculum or will you work to support learning
outcomes from the classroom curriculum. Either way, this summer, I would
work on understanding your curriculum. If you have flexibility in your
schedule, then my priority would be similar but with an emphasis on the
thought "how can I help the classroom teachers with their curriculum".
* I wish that I had known that I can't be all things to all people,
especially in the first year! I would also tread lightly on the elementary
aids unless you have a reason to doubt what they are doing. Subscribe to
the rule, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". They will appreciate you for
valuing their contribution.
* The other thing I would research is what books are "hot" in that
building with your patrons. Your assistant or predecessor may have this
information. You can also gather information about what is "hot" by forging
a bond with your public librarian counterpart.
* Remember to breathe and just take it all in.
* Learn your collection, on-line resources and the school's curriculum.
* Spend as much time as you can reading YA lit.
* Congratulate yourself for making a great career change!
* I would focus on becoming familiar with your automation system, learning
what it can and cannot do as well as how to check in and check out books to
patrons. The more you learn about it, the easier your first week will be. I
would also take a look at your collection and become somewhat familiar with
what you have and where each section is located. I would also try to set up
some displays of books (any new books if you have any) or just books to get
the students interested in reading when they come back to school. Try to
check out some books that have lesson ideas to read over the summer. If your
state has a teen award book list, read those books so that you can book talk
them to the students and get them excited about those books. Here in Iowa
we have award lists for elementary, middle school, and high school.
Students then vote on their favorite book from the list in the spring. This
should keep you busy enough. Just start small and try not to be overwhelmed.
By next summer, you will know what you want to change and what worked well
for you. I wish you all the best!!!
* As a veteran (I started working in libraries in 6th grade) of 30+ years, my
advice is get to know the collection, the teachers, the kids. Ask lots of
questions of the teachers and kids. What do they like about the media
center, what would they like to see changed. Same goes for the aides.
* Take care of yourself, you can work 24/7 and not get it all done. Set a
time to leave and keep to it.
* Once you have a good feel for the above, then set goals. Not more than 5 a
year.
* Between now and school starting - go through the mail. It piles up.
* Go through all the cupboards, drawers, closets, and file cabinets. You
will find both treasure and trash.
* Look at the collection. Get to know what is there, how it is arranged.
* Find out what your budget is. When is the last date for ordering. Book
orders should be submitted at least 3 months prior to the cut off date.
Don't spend the money early unless you think it will be taken back. You have
to determine needs first.
* READ! Yes, as a language arts teacher, you probably had some exposure to
the books found in your library, but now is the time to really get to know
the fiction section!
* Find your state awards lists, ALA lists and anything else you can and read
from those.
* Develop different displays and be ready in the fall with new and jazzed up
book displays, bulletin boards and ready to talk books.
* Will your library system generate a top ten list? Find out what the kids
were reading last year.
* Find out if there is a curriculum map that you can use for displays in the
non-fiction section of your library. Be ready by showcasing topics in the
classrooms the first month.
* Find out what databases and on-line resources you will need to be an expert
in and PRACTICE!
* Get a copy of curriculum
* Plan introductory lessons to familiarize them with the MC and your new
position
* Learn the layout of the MC
* Set up simple rules of conduct. discuss with classes and post them around
the MC
* Learn how to use circulation system (if there is one)
* Try to meet all the library aides beforehand
* Set up an attractive Back to School display
* Find out about the budget and whether anything has been spent yet
* Find out about databases and electronic subscription resources
(encyclopedias, etc.) the MC subscribes to
* Check to see if new magazines have been ordered
* This was my first year, and we also had a remodel of the school (the
library lost footage). In trying to get some shelf space for new books, we
'weeded' heavily. I didn't know what I 3was doing and I wish that my
assistant had not discarded so many books that were candidates for booktalks'
I didn't know anything about anything and I'm sure I could have 'sold' some
of those older books to students. So, before you weed an older book,
make sure you won't regret not trying to push it to a new generation. (The
books I'm referring to were Phyllis Whitney, Joan Aiken, Rebecca DeMuier,
etc.) Anyway, good luck to you and I hope all goes well.
* go to lm net archives.....type new librarian in seartch box...800+
messages.
* The first thing I did was spend a few days getting my hands on the
books. You can't know what to buy if you don't know what you already have
and you can't suggest materials if you don't know what you have to give! I
read a ton of our fiction collection, I looked at the indexes and tables of
contents of a lot of our reference collection and did my best to get to know
our non-fiction. Next, get to know the kinds of projects and topics that are
covered in as many subjects/classes as you can. This will help you "sell"
your lessons and materials to teachers as well as inform your collection
development. Finally, just get your face out there. Duck into meetings when
you can, chat people up in the teacher's lounge--just do whatever you can to
get people thinking that you are approachable and available!
* Since you'll be supervising the elementary library aides, I would start off
in August in having a meeting with them. You don't indicate if you have any
experience in the library field, but it's important that you meet with the
people you'll be supervising. I would try to set up monthly meetings after
that to stay on top on what's going on at the elementary level. Don't jump
in on their turf right away, unless you see big problems or situations that
need to be dealt with immediately. And even then, pick your battles. You
could make massive changes over time, but how you do it is going to be key in
how you're perceived by the ones under you.
* I know you'll get great advice on beginning of the year things you should
do at your site. More importantly, since you are moving into a different
position that will be perceived differently than your teaching position is, I
think another priority needs to be establishing that library contact with
your teaching staff. Even if you taught at the site where you'll be in charge
of the library, you need to make some sort of presentation, informal meeting,
etc, with these people to introduce yourself in your new position. I think
that presentation will also depend on what the previous person did and how
they were perceived. Good-maybe you don't need to make massive changes right
away then, just little ones. Bad-Here's what I can do for you. You have a
huge job ahead of you and no matter if you really liked the last person,
everyone does things differently. Take the good things from them so you
aren't reinventing the wheel, and work on weeding out the bad.
* I would know my collection. By this, I mean read the shelves--actually go
out and look at the books you have. What is dirty, nasty, gross, damaged? Get
rid of it. Make the shelves look appealing. No one wants to check out a gross
book.
* Also, pull the ones that look interesting. Read a few--you'll be able to
recommend them at the orientation.
* Decide on policies--overdues, how many items can be checked out, hours,
etc. Know your rules before the kids come.
* Build a magazine collection--my boys love comics, Mad, Low Rider, BMX, Hot
Rod, etc. If the school doesn't have money, purchase one magazine per title
yourself. I know it comes from your pocket, but you can deduct classroom
expenses on your income taxes, as teachers do.
* Make sure the library is teen friendly--not little kid-like. When I came to
my middle school, the books and décor was geared towards 10-year olds. It was
a turn off for teens.
* Make friends with English and reading teachers. Ask them to recommend
titles. Read School Library Journal and use their recommendations for buying
books.
* Build a manga/graphic novel collection. When I came to this library, we had
0--after three years, we have over 500 titles, and that section is where the
reluctant readers find things to read. There are always students crowded
around that section.
* Set up a "NEW" section where hot new titles are displayed--I have it the
entire length of the circ desk. Basically, the kids have to come up and then
I can meet them and get to know them.
* Get out from behind the desk--circulate among students.
* Put a couple of books that you have read and loved in front of your desk.
These are books you know kids will like--they will check out stuff that
you've read and can recommend.
* When new books come in, READ them first. You need to know what to recommend
and to which students. Also, there are some questionable titles--I bought The
Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian on School Library Journal's
recommendation, but upon reading it, decided it needed to be at the h.s.
level and sent it to one of our high schools. Most books I put out, but that
one mentioned masturbation almost every page!
* Students, Students, Students. . . concentrate on the students.
* I don't think you can do any better than to consult the following
resources:
New on the Job.. by Ruth Toor and frequent LM-Net Contributor Hilda
Weisburg
The School Library Media Manager 3rd Edition by Blanche Woolls
Collaborating to Meet Standards.... by Toni Buzzeo ( for the times
when you wear your elementary LMS hat and a great overview on the collaborative
process)
Curriculum Connections Through the Library by Barbara Stripling
Pathways to Knowledge and Inquiry Learning by Marjorie Pappas
any works by David Loertscher
blogs and nings by Judi Moreillion and Joyce Kasman Valenza
and I'm guessing that you already are familiar with AASL's Standards for
the 21st Century Learner.
* You will want to establish a close working relationship with your principal
as well as the other staff members (and , of course, your custodian!)
* This listserv will, as you say, provide a wealth of ideas and solutions!
* The best advice I can give you is to know your collection. If you recommend
a title and find you don't have it, it's very disappointing to both you and
your students. Have a favorite author or book you can recommend to a
struggling or avid non-reader.
* Smile and make the library a friendly, safe place to be. Many times
students have no other place they can go but here.
* Don't worry about being a "shh-shhh" librarian..encourage learning and
excitement. As long as they aren't swinging from the rafters, we don't
require whispers.
* Get comfortable with the use of equipment in your school.- close TV system,
laminator, etc.
* Check to see how your school is tracking room inventories and check for
accuracy. (That may or may not be your responsibility).
* Pull together a fun and interactive orientation for students.
* Write a media handbook with your policies and procedures for student and
staff use of the media center.
* If your principal gives you time during orientation for the staff, you may
want to prepare a brief talk on copyright and give out a guide on fair use.
* You also will want to look for staff member and students for your school
media committee.
* You may also want to work up some brochures to give students for important
online resources and tools found in the media center.
* One of the most beneficial things for me was joining AIME (Association of
Indiana Media Educators). There is even a workshop coming up on June 10
where you can meet many media specialists. Plus, David Warlick is one of THE
best for learning about web 2.0. I'll be there.
http://www.ilfonline.org/Upcoming_Conferences/2009_AIME_Survivor_Conference.htm
* I would spend the summer becoming familiar with your collections, and
organizing how you are going to keep track of book suggestions, lesson ideas,
and things like that. Also, what curriculum guides are available? How could
you best collaborate with teachers? Are there other media specialists in
your area who could be helpful? What about the high school media specialist?
What are the budgets for the various schools? Do any of the schools
have summer planning or meetings? Sometimes you have to invite yourself or
you get overlooked as an important leadership member.
* I would suggest you get to know the book collection. Don't be afraid even
to weed some titles/items that are long in tooth.
* Tied to this and perhaps more important is to read VOYA and School Library
Journal issues of the last year or so. These are two great professional
journals that will keep you centered and abreast of great ideas.
* Get to know the collection and develop a plan for upgrading. Get to know
the teachers and their needs and incorporate their plans in your lessons, and
stress that your are there to support them. Be open for students and
classes as much as possible.
* My major piece of advice is to become familiar with the collection. Read
as many fiction titles as possible because you cannot recommend a book unless
you know it!
* Browse the content areas, especially those that are NOT in your area of
specialization. If you want to bring teachers into the library for
lessons, it is crucial that you know what the collection has.
* Weeding will also help you define what you have and get an idea of what you
need to purchase.
* Every summer new librarians have the same question - OK, I've got the job,
now what do I do! The LM_NET archives are an excellent resource to give you
ideas on handling just about any library situation - and some outside the
library as well. The archives address is in the standard LMNET signature
block below this message.
* I gathered a number of posts together into a "New Librarians guide" which
is posted at http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/newbies.htm. It's a
little dated by now so I guess one of my tasks this summer will be to
update it. But it is still a good place to start.
* And don't forget about the LM_NET Wiki Annex where we share all sorts of
things that can't be posted to the list. Find it at
http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/ .
* since it is only 9 years since I was in your position -- one thing I
wished I had done was get into my library BEFORE school started to get a feel
of what I had on the shelves, the condition they were in and were they even
in order!!! believe it or not none of my fiction was in ABC order -- all As
were on a shelf etc --- I had no idea of what materials I had for the
teachers etc. I also realized that I had a lot of outdated stuff that I
started to get rid of --- if you can get your library set up before the
teachers arrive (or pretty much) you will feel so much better because the
teachers are usually pulling the
librarian in 80 different ways when they first get back.
* Local librarians - get to know them and look for opportunities to network
* Local libraries - introduce yourself and open up opportunities to work
together
* Contact your state library and ask about free resources
* Get help/ a mentor for the cataloging software
* Be REALLY nice to the counseling staff
* Figure out your budget and spending timeline right away
* Get a brief "library policies" sheet ready for staff on the first day.
* READ, READ, READ... get your hands on as much YA literature as you can, and
READ! Since you're working with MS most of the time, you won't need to
know elementary 'shortcuts' and such. When I was in the elementary school,
we had 1 media specialist in the system, and she worked at the high school
level. I worked there for seven years, I never saw her! So, make yourself
known to your elementary paras. Let them know you are there for them.
* I would read my eyeballs out so I can booktalk, booktalk, booktalk with the
kids. The sooner they realize you know the "good books" and come to you
often.
* When I started YEARS ago, the thing that made me cry was all the
subscription cancellations... Not knowing that they were renewed the previous
spring. So, I would get a copy of the periodical order and have it on hand.
* Take a look at previous purchase orders and see where your predecessor
ordered most of the library materials from. Get to know the rep.
* BREATHE. You will make mistakes, but taken with a dose of humility, grace
and laughter it is all OK. LMNet is wonderful.
* For me personally my first priority has been to make the library clean,
organized, decorated, fun and a place kids wanted to be. Of course I would
make self familiar with the collection and what was there so I would know
something when the kids came. To me first impressions on what the library
looked like on the first day of school was very important because that was a
first impression on you.
* Then I tackled the administrative jobs. I would list them in order of
importance first and then work my way down.
* Everything else does get done. As you get going you will know what you need
to do next and sometimes it will be overwhelming but it does come together in
the end.
* Meet your para-pro. Realize that she thinks you're playing in her sandbox.
Then realize that you probably ARE playing in her sandbox. Then--make sure
you establish solid sandbox rules and convince her that you've got some idea
what you're doing. (You don't.) Then ask her a lot of questions, and
whenever possible, make her think you're doing it her way. Include her in
every success, and whenever possible--never blame her for failures. She is
your most important asset.
* Look at how your predecessor arranged the library. Does it work for you? If
not--fix it. Rearrange materials so they fit YOUR style. People might
complain. (It's not how SHE did it!) Smile! Apologize! Blame your
"newbieness!" Then continue to do it your way.
* Have a coffee machine? Get one. Take coffee out of your budget for a while.
Don't request that people bring in cans or snacks. Buy cheap stuff at
Costco--out of your own pocket if you need to. Invite teachers in to your
space. Always have cookies, coffee or other snacks available. Don't get cute
and bring in a veggie plate. Oreos are good. Use coffee-visiting time to
socialize AND ask what's going on in classrooms. Also use this time to show
off new books and be eager to help. Teachers are cheap and omniverous. If you
want to find out what's going on in their classrooms, make them come to you.
Sooner or later, by the way, coffee cans and snacks will begin to show up
without you paying for them if you do it right.
* The minute you feel confident enough to weed, (Will you EVER feel confident
enough to weed? No. Smile and pretend.) WEED! We went from 20,000-10,000
volumes my first year. We're now at 7,800. People WILL complain. See
response to Rule #2. When circulations increase because your shelves are now
manageable--people will stop complaining.
* Learn your best customer's names. Let them keep books an extra day. Hide
new books behind the counter for them conspiratorially. High-five them when
they try something new. Pull out something else when they say they didn't
like it. Don't judge their choices. I hated TWILIGHT. I must've recommended
it to about 13 billion kids this year. (<--estimated.) It was checked out
about 11 billion times. (<--completely made-up number.)
* I'll save you time worrying about it. YOU'RE GOING TO SCREW UP! There!
don't you feel better now? It will happen somewhere. It's just a matter of
when. Worrying about it does no good. Smile. Apologize.
* Four really important words: "How can I help?" After you say them
often enough--people will begin to say them to you. A member of our Social
Studies department today made his students with overdue library materials get
a pass from the library before admittance to class. Niiiiiiiiiice.
* You're there to serve curriculum--not teachers. Order books for curriculum.
Ask for rubrics. Make sure your shelves reflect curriculum. Teachers leave.
Lessons stay. Make friends, and buy things for teachers, but always make
it clear that those are library materials and are available to everyone. Do
not offer to "limit checkouts" to any teacher or group of students.
* Remember to "Show the money!" I got so much more response from admin and
staff when I said "I've got $3000 worth of overdue library books!" instead
of "I've got 15 pages of overdues!" Money is magic. Say things like "I've got
some money to spend--does the English department have any focuses for me?"
(Heck! I bought math books this year!) Then spend that money wisely. (See
rule 8.)
* You've got the best job ever. Your co-workers will see you not bringing
home papers to grade. They're going to say "You've got such an EASY job!
What's it like to sit around and read all day?" There are several solutions
to this problem.
* Never leave school empty handed. Get a briefcase. It's okay if you only put
your lunch in it.
* Work like a dog. Let everyone see it.
* If, by some chance, you ARE sitting and reading (it is part of your job,
after all) don't let people think that you can't be interrupted.
* Get to know your collection. If you have an automated system, use the statistics
to find out what the hot items are. READ it. What grade level are you going to? How
does the collection fit with
the curriculum, or not?
* You probably already know this, but it bears repeating: BEFRIEND THE SECRETARIES
AND CUSTODIANS. They will save your butt more times than anyone else in the
building.
Megan Earley
Language Arts
Roosevelt Middle School
Monticello, IN
mearley@twinlakes.k12.in.us
--------------------------------------------------------------------
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, you send a message 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
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/join.html
* LM_NET Supporters: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/category/links/el-announce/
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home