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Hmmm, after reading Barbara's insightful comments, I thought of a good analogy that school boards and principals should be able to identify with: Hand them a hammer, and tell them this hammer has built the finest building in your city --- well, actually, the person using the hammer built the finest building in your city. And then challenge THEM to make that same building, using that same hammer. Should be easy, right? Oh, wait --- you mean it's the PERSON that builds it that matters, not just the tools??? Books and shelves and databases are only some of the tools we utilize. What good does any tool do in the hands of someone who doesn't know how to use it? Would you trust the same builder to use a scalpel on your skull? Remind them that it takes a builder to build, a doctor to perform surgery, and a librarian to run a library. Different jobs, all valuable when used correctly. Wow, I think I can preach this one! Do I hear an amen this Easter Sunday? Blessings, Liz Frame Librarian San Antonio, TX --- On Sat, 4/3/10, Barbara Braxton <barbara.288@BIGPOND.COM> wrote: From: Barbara Braxton <barbara.288@BIGPOND.COM> Subject: Re: [LM_NET] models for unstaffed libraries-rant To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU Date: Saturday, April 3, 2010, 3:49 PM Maybe I am one of those "Australian rednecks" that comedian Robin Williams spoke about on someone's late -night show last week, but I would refuse to provide any sort of model. I can't see that that is in any way your responsibility. Let those who made the decision figure out the solution, because that is the only way they are going to learn, understand and value the importance of qualified staffing. The library I used to work in is going the way of the one that Lisa described -brand new when the school was built in 1996, recognised as best practice till 2006 and steadily declining with only a clerical assistant there for 50% of the time. The irony is that when it was at its peak the school picked up a national $10 000 award for its literacy program; now the school is not making the national average in literacy in national tests for Years 3 and 5. What these short-sighted administrators need to understand is that libraries are not all about the collection that the building houses - they are about the services offered by the people who hold the keys to unlocking the collection.. A book or DVD or whatever is an inanimate object with very little value beyond the cost of its construction - it is only given value when someone with the skills to use it effectively and efficiently chooses to do so. Let your administrators work that out through having to solve the problem THEY have made for themselves by themselves. Barbara Barbara Braxton Teacher Librarian COOMA NSW 2630 E.barbara.288@bigpond.com Together, we learn from each other -------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------