I have made the jump from classroom/prep teacher to teacher librarian. This is something I have always wanted to do and when the opportunity presented itself I couldn't pass it up. So here I am pleading for survival tips, advice and help that you wish someone had bestowed upon you in your first year.
I am working in a inner city school where attendance and enrollment are constantly fluctuating. However this school loves to read and is very involved in Accelerated Reading.
Thanks everybody!
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Cara are you on a flexible schedule?
There must be wave of new TL's, Last year was my first year and I came straight from the classroom. Becoming a TL was my ultimate goal, but th position sort of fell into my lap and I just began classes this summer. I can tell you def. get on the ball with establishing routines, and expectations from teachers/students. Because EVERYONE uses the library they are going to want to do it "the way it's always been done", which isn't alway a bad thing, but you are not..and never will be "The other librarian". I changed a lot of things in my first year as far as procedures and it was a difficult change for the teachers, but they learned eventually that I was not going to compromise on what I found to be essential to how the library was going to be run. A major change I made was only allowing 2 students from each class at a time in the library, and they HAD to have a pass, (no pass, back to class) Coming from 30 years of allowing as many kids as they wanted to pile into the library in a 45 min span in the morning the change was difficult, because the kids actually had to come in AND GET A BOOK AND THEN GO BACK TO CLASS!! Imagine that? The library no longer became the place to let dump off the kids that annoyed you in the morning. Luckily, I had my principal's support and the change was way overdue.
Also, get the kids involved into library activities not just classes. I am creating our schools first newspaper this year with the 5th graders and I can't wait. Last year I also organized a used book fair. It was a HUGE success. We did the Polar Express theme (we built a walktrough train and everything) and every child who wanted to attend the event had to donate 10 or more gently used books. For every 3 books they got one free, and all the others I sold for a 1.00. At the end everyone who donated got a ticket (I printed them on gold paper ad found a really cool template for the original polar express ticket) and we watched the movie on a huge white wall and they got hot chocolate and cookies. We raised over 400.00, and over 300+ children attended I actually had to do 2 shows. It makes the library a place they associate with ore than just books, and really gets the parents aware of great things going on in the library.
I know this post is soooo long, but I have so much more to share if your are interested.
Cara-
I just came across your post of Aug 13, 2011. I've been a 7-12 school librarian for 25 years; my colleague has been the K-6 librarian at our elementary school library for 17 years (we are in a K-12 building). Next year, they have cut her position and expect me to manage both libraries! The K-6 librarian has had a fixed schedule doing 15 45 minute classes/week and is the "prep relief". I am not willing to do this without a severely compromising my middle and high school services.
Now is the time to push for a flex schedule in the elementary school. I have NO experience with elementary students and information skills, either. What advice do you have for a flex schedule?
I love your ideas, please feel free to share!
Also know that you willl be o the flipside now...meaning it was and still is a weird not to be considered a "teacher" anymore. Get used to hearing "you need a master's degree for that?" and "since you're not doing anything will you watch my kids while I do individual assessments?" and because you aren't a classroom teacher you are expected todo it. It was a hard pill to swallow, I thought everyone valued my job as much as me...but some will and some won't. You can't please everyone so don't try. That was my biggest problem, I tried to service everyone at the same time and just couldn't, my principal was very supportive. On a good note, our school started on the 16th and I have designed a very simple and effective sheet that I gave to each grade level and asked them to fill it out as a grade level. All it is four square chart labeled with each nine weeks in it, I didn't break it down into months, but will meet with them at the begining of each nine weeks to get a better idea. The amamzing thing is, I had it ready for them at a staff meeting, (asked the principal first) and gave it to them AND THEY ACTUALLY FILLED IT OUT, AND TURNED IT BACK TO ME!!!! I was so delighted! It was simple, quick, and painless. Def. a great starting point for the next month or two. I am excited that this year will be so much better than last (not that I didn't hae a great year) but it can only get better each year with experience!
Hi Lindsay,
It sounds like we are in the same boat. I've been an adult services librarian in a public library for a number of years and have decided to take an elementary school position this year. I am also a new mom, kind of, I have a 5 month old and a 22 month old. So, this year is going to be challenging. My biggest concern is what do you do on the very first day and during the first month? This going to be huge a challenge!
Thanks,
Jamika
Hi Lindsay,
Sounds like we are in the same situation. I am brand new to being a teacher librarian this year as well, and I am very excited but also nervous about living up to our wonderful previous TL!
How old is your little one? I have a 20 month old son, Hunter.
I will be watching this thread for suggestions. Thanks Doug for the great blog post!
Morgan
I have 2 little boys, Rayce is 2 1/2 and Beckett is 1. I am hoping for some great advice to help me out!
Hi Lindsay,
You may find this column helpful. Let me know if I can be of any help.
http://dougjohnson.squarespace.com/dougwri/starting-off-on-the-righ...
Doug
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