[LM_NET] HIT>moving from full time to split job

[Jane Gottfried <jtgottfrd@COMCAST.NET>]

Thank you to everyone who responded.  I received some good advice.

You really need to remember that it is physically impossible for you to do
everything you did when you were full time. I think you need to make sure
everyone knows that too. If you try to do everything you've always done you
are going to suffer and, on top of that, the administration won't see any
reason to reinstate you to full time when the economy gets better. So my
advice is for you to quit worrying and just figure out the most important
thing(s) you need to do and concentrate on that. It will all fall into place
once you get going on the job.
 
I never did find a schedule that worked well for myself or working with
classes and students.  I tried 1/2 day at each building (mine are across the
street from each other).  I tried the full day schedule w/a 1/2 day at each
on Friday.  This was beneficial for me until I hit book fair time and then I
had to be at one building all day for a couple of weeks.  It also became a
problem when I had to cover a specific library because my library assistant
was gone for the day (they don't want me to get a sub if I can avoid it).  I
also ran into trouble because one of my assistants had to leave as soon as
school was out (it was an hours issue) and students needed someone there so
they could use the library.  I pushed for both of my assistants to be on an
8 hour day for next year and this will resolve that problem.  The other
problem I had with my schedule was seminar or homeroom became too much for
one person to handle, so I would have to be at each school daily for their
seminar/homeroom times.  I am working on finding a new solution for this
problem next year.  I can say that going through all these scheduling
options, the full day at a building is the best.  I don't know what I will
do about the book fairs, but I have some time to figure that out.  Problem
solving is key as well as deciding which things really are important to
solve and which ones aren't a priority.

Over the course of the year, I've found Google Docs, calendar & chat to be
helpful.  With these tools, I could share information with my library
assistants.  Examples include: username/passwords lists, project
instructions, to do lists, schedule of upcoming library events and dates I
would be gone (my assistants posted their dates too).  Chat was helpful in
keeping contact open between myself and the library assistants.  We also
used the calendar for scheduling classes and equipment; however, we are
going to change to Google Docs for this type of scheduling next year.  I saw
a sample from another librarian that I liked--here's the site
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AuavMhIRK-K2dDQ5VVBVZEZVOFZERXVSNWs
1UnhJd3c&hl=en#gid=48
<https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AuavMhIRK-K2dDQ5VVBVZEZVOFZERXVSNW
s1UnhJd3c&amp;hl=en#gid=48>

I also found that having a central location with the library
policies/procedures and tips on handling discipline would be helpful.  So, I
am going to create a wiki page for this information.  I am also going to
include tutorials about using the automation program and any other programs
my assistants need to know.  I use Jing & Screencast for creating these
tutorials.  I am spending some of my summer planning out bulletin boards (I
don't have an assistant that is good at this) and programs for the year.

If you have library assistants, hand over some of the tasks to them.  I have
one who loves cataloging & cleaning up the catalog as well as interlibrary
loan, so I give her those jobs.  As for collaborating and meeting each week
with students at story time, you will have to make some hard decisions.  You
may have to cut back in some areas because you can't be everywhere at the
same time.  You will really need to prioritize to the best of your ability
and then learn to let some things go.  Your teachers won't be happy, but
make sure you emphasize with them that this is not your choice either.
Encourage them to address their concerns and facts on how your limited time
is affecting the students to the adminstrators and school board.  I
struggled this year with not beating myself up for all the things I couldn't
do.  I had to continually remind myself that I can only do what I can do.  I
also got sick a lot this year because I stressed too much and didn't take
care of myself like I should have, so make sure you put yourself and your
health first.

This just came to me, but you might see if there is anyway to use Skype or
someother program where you could see 2 groups of students at different
schools at the same time.  Talk to your techs about this and see what they
suggest.
 
However, you are going to need to create a schedule for teachers to follow.
Flexible scheduling will be impossible or you will not be able to cover any
class instruction. Make certain that you stay on a clear schedule each week.
Stay Monday- .5 Wednesdays in one school and the other time in the other
school. This will provide consistency for you and the staff.  Don't
alternate the days or you and the teachers will be in chaos!
You could train the teachers who don't already know how, to oversee the book
returns/checkouts.
In my opinion, these grades need you more for the information literacy
(location/access) and technology skills you teach them. I would encourage
better distance communication since you won't physically be in the building
to set up class times/answer questions.  Instant messaging would be great!
(We use macbooks and have ichat.)  You still can't teach every class in the
school in 2.5 days but perhaps you could do it every other week using a
fixed schedule?  Then leave time for flexible/working on project times?
 
 
Some things that come to mind quickly are to combine classes for story time
(2 or 3 classes at a time), offer story time to classes on alternating weeks
(K - wk1, 1st - wk2, 2nd - wk3) Research projects will be harder to
coordinate but you could split the research in such a way that you provide
instruction and guidance on the days you are at that school and the teachers
can allow students to work individually on the days you are not there.
Student helpers can help shelve materials and other tasks. Not sure how your
circulation works now and if there will be a clerk/para/or such full time in
each center but teachers can check out books to have in the classroom for
students to rotate during a period of time to limit individual trips to the
center. Hope neither school is too large! Good Luck!

Jane Gottfried
Library Media Specialist
Central Park Elementary School
EDW Elementary School
Roseville, MN


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