Today I am subbing for my 10th grade biology teacher; which is weird all on its own since I haven't walked these halls in 6 years and now I am a substitute teacher running into all of my previous teachers... So after the initial shock... I decided to go speak with the librarian here who was hired the year after I graduated and seems awesome at relating to the students judging by the high school library website. I was very pleased with my experience.
This librarian (whom I will not name due to confidentiality reasons) was very down to earth and quite blunt but I loved it. She had a lengthy discussion with me about her career and how she does things in the library and why. I even got a full tour. She let me know first thing that the pretty picture they paint for you in library school is not what the real world is like, her job has been on the chopping block every year but this one, when she first arrived at this high school she was seen as a more of a study hall monitor than a librarian (sometimes it still seems that way), and no one was interested in collaborating with her.
She started by rearranging the library; moving a row of computers out of an area that was blocking access to the fiction section which was her next task. No one was taking out the books on the shelves; so she started doing her research, asking the students what they like to read, and filling the shelves with that. Now the library has a very nice fiction section. Some of it is color coded, new releases and displays are sprinkled throughout, and books are coming off the shelves again. We looked at the nonfiction section which is gaining greater curricular importance thanks to the Common Core standards which New York state has begun adapting. However, the only nonfiction books taken out are generally biographies about mobsters, athletes, and other famous people. There was a 2 volume set about French Canadian History that looked like it hadn't been touched in years.
The reference section was located against the wall on the far wall behind the computers. There was a question in the librarian's mind as to whether the reference books were even worth keeping with missing volumes and students flocking to online databases.
She is working with a high school earth science teacher on developing and co-teaching a bioethics course in the fall which I found very exciting.
Even though the life of this particular school librarian isn't all rainbows and butterflies, she stressed that she loved her job which made me happy to hear admist her struggles. I found this to be a very beneficial experience.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Friday, March 23, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
new wave of school librarians
Today I substitute taught in a local elementary school. I decided to saunter down to the school library because I had recently virtually introduced myself and promised to stop in the next time I was in the building. The meeting, although pleasant, gave me mixed feelings.
This librarian seemed almost defeated and I felt disappointed. (Any discussion from here on out is paraphrased.) She told me that the "pretty picture" they paint for us in library school isn't the real world. School librarians have to fight to be noticed, she never sees or speaks with her administration, teachers are difficult to collaborate with because of state testing constraints, etc. Some teachers don't even understand what a librarian's role entails. In one district, this librarian was basically a study hall monitor and her library skills were severely under utilized. It all comes down to the district, she stated.
Now, I understand that this is no "pretty picture" because school libraries would be mandatory if their importance was recognized, schools would not be cutting librarians to staff the libraries, and libraries would be seen as a hub of not only the school community but society. I know it's not like that. Yet.
That's part of what new librarianship is all about. We have to change things. She mentioned something about teachers needing a class in college to understand the librarian's position in a school and it's true. We were told nothing about how to use the school library or collaborate with the school librarian as educational partners in my undergraduate program. So let's change it. I refuse to believe that I can't make a difference in whichever library I end up in. I decree I will make myself known to teachers and seek out collaborative opportunities, my administrators will know who I am and recognize the hard work students put into learning twenty-first learning skills in my library. I want to make a difference in the lives of my future students and my community; and no one shall stand in my way! (Stepping off the soap box now... it was just really disappointing to hear and this librarian loves her job but to think she feels this way is sad.)
This librarian seemed almost defeated and I felt disappointed. (Any discussion from here on out is paraphrased.) She told me that the "pretty picture" they paint for us in library school isn't the real world. School librarians have to fight to be noticed, she never sees or speaks with her administration, teachers are difficult to collaborate with because of state testing constraints, etc. Some teachers don't even understand what a librarian's role entails. In one district, this librarian was basically a study hall monitor and her library skills were severely under utilized. It all comes down to the district, she stated.
Now, I understand that this is no "pretty picture" because school libraries would be mandatory if their importance was recognized, schools would not be cutting librarians to staff the libraries, and libraries would be seen as a hub of not only the school community but society. I know it's not like that. Yet.
That's part of what new librarianship is all about. We have to change things. She mentioned something about teachers needing a class in college to understand the librarian's position in a school and it's true. We were told nothing about how to use the school library or collaborate with the school librarian as educational partners in my undergraduate program. So let's change it. I refuse to believe that I can't make a difference in whichever library I end up in. I decree I will make myself known to teachers and seek out collaborative opportunities, my administrators will know who I am and recognize the hard work students put into learning twenty-first learning skills in my library. I want to make a difference in the lives of my future students and my community; and no one shall stand in my way! (Stepping off the soap box now... it was just really disappointing to hear and this librarian loves her job but to think she feels this way is sad.)
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Call me crazy... ALA Annual 2012
Call me crazy but I decided to take a leap of faith and made the decision to attend ALA Annual in Anaheim this June. The only things barring me from this experience have been financial difficulties and fear of the unknown. However, thanks to tax refunds and thoughtful savings I already have enough money for registration and my air fare; though I am waiting to see if prices will drop before I buy.
I have never traveled across the country before and I am most likely embarking on this journey on my own although I know there will be familiar faces in Anaheim and some new ones I would like to become acquainted with. I can't imagine what it would be like to meet Library Greats like Buffy Hamilton or Kristin Fontichiaro or many of the other Library Land bloggers I keep tabs with. I am excited to read about the different sessions that will be offered. I am planning on attending a variety of offerings since I am not 100% sure of what I want my focus to be. I'm excited to meet with fellow library students from across the country and hope that there will be some SU students as well.
I'm really excited for this adventure. I would love to hear any tips from past conference goers!
On a totally different note, on the verge of a Teacher Recruitment Fair later this month, I am in debate on how my resume should look. I feel as if it's getting a bit long but I am afraid to cut out work information because I don't want it to look like there have been gaps in my employment history. Does anyone have any good resume advice?
I have never traveled across the country before and I am most likely embarking on this journey on my own although I know there will be familiar faces in Anaheim and some new ones I would like to become acquainted with. I can't imagine what it would be like to meet Library Greats like Buffy Hamilton or Kristin Fontichiaro or many of the other Library Land bloggers I keep tabs with. I am excited to read about the different sessions that will be offered. I am planning on attending a variety of offerings since I am not 100% sure of what I want my focus to be. I'm excited to meet with fellow library students from across the country and hope that there will be some SU students as well.
I'm really excited for this adventure. I would love to hear any tips from past conference goers!
On a totally different note, on the verge of a Teacher Recruitment Fair later this month, I am in debate on how my resume should look. I feel as if it's getting a bit long but I am afraid to cut out work information because I don't want it to look like there have been gaps in my employment history. Does anyone have any good resume advice?
Thursday, March 1, 2012
March Madness
This month has to be one of the busiest months of the semester for me. My calendar is full of assignment deadlines, a weekend residency, concerts, miscellaneous social engagements, and professional events. I'm excited for all this month has to offer!
I've gotten a lot of email lately promoting various local and regional conferences. (Some I wish that I had been informed about much sooner...) I am hoping my knowledge of these conferences will inspire me to keep such conferences in mind for next year. I truly enjoyed my NYLA Conference experience and I was sad to see an obligation conflict with the School Librarians Conference in May. I enjoy all of the networking and professional development that arises from attending conferences.
In other news, I am considering continuing on for my doctorate. I have always been fond of education and learning as a lifelong process. I would want to stay at SU and pursue an information science and technology focus with a concentration in information and education. I am not sure about what I would want to my research focus to be quite yet; I just know that I am intrigued by the overall topic. Perhaps something I can consider while completing my masters studies. I could see myself becoming a college professor or working in an academic library. My only fear with getting a Ph.D. is being "overqualified" if I wished to teach in the K-12 school system or other library jobs. My pursuit of knowledge is quite fantastical though.
I've gotten a lot of email lately promoting various local and regional conferences. (Some I wish that I had been informed about much sooner...) I am hoping my knowledge of these conferences will inspire me to keep such conferences in mind for next year. I truly enjoyed my NYLA Conference experience and I was sad to see an obligation conflict with the School Librarians Conference in May. I enjoy all of the networking and professional development that arises from attending conferences.
In other news, I am considering continuing on for my doctorate. I have always been fond of education and learning as a lifelong process. I would want to stay at SU and pursue an information science and technology focus with a concentration in information and education. I am not sure about what I would want to my research focus to be quite yet; I just know that I am intrigued by the overall topic. Perhaps something I can consider while completing my masters studies. I could see myself becoming a college professor or working in an academic library. My only fear with getting a Ph.D. is being "overqualified" if I wished to teach in the K-12 school system or other library jobs. My pursuit of knowledge is quite fantastical though.
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