Library Ties

Today while it is gloomy and rainy here in Indiana, I’ve been thinking about school administrators. Principals hold a lot of the cards that can make or break a library media program. Helping administrators to see what the library media program can do to impact student achievement is critical to a successful program. I’ve work for a variety of principals over the last 10 years and each has been a positive experience. I’m lucky because I know that doesn’t happen for everyone. But, how can we ensure that more library media specialists and library media programs have that kind of support that allows a successful and indispensable program to grow and thrive. If you had the opportunity to interview a principal who was supportive of library media programs, what kind of questions would you ask? What kind of answers would help us figure out how to educate administrators on the library media programs impact can have on students? Over the next few months, I’m going to get some time to explore this further, so I would love to hear some of your ideas.

Tags:   administrators · principals · school library media programsNo Comments.

I’m home a little later than normal because of our monthly PTO meeting. It was the typical end of the year meeting with announcing officers for next year, thank those who had served this year, a state of the school presentation by the principal. I try to go to the PTO meeting each month. Why?

• I’m part of the PTO Finance Committee that determines the budget and funding for special projects. (which contributes several line items to the library programming!)
• The PTO support with volunteers for planning and running the book fairs which the profits are used to support the library media program.
• Our PTO is very supportive of the library media program and the opportunity to share with them through the teacher report what is happening in the library is a great way to build library advocates.
• Sometimes I get questions about what their child are reading or what resources are available in our parent collection. These are opportunities that might have been missed if not at an evening event.
• The visible presence of being in attendance shows the library media program thinks the work our PTO does is important and is there to help where it can!

Sure going home early would have been maybe a bit more appealing, but these parents are a key success factor in our library media program, so attending the PTO meetings is just another way to communicate with parents.

Tags:   advocacy · parents · PTONo Comments.

Friday was very exciting as I received word I’ve been elected to the Board of Directors of the American Association of School Librarians. I begin a two year term as Member at Large at the end of ALA Annual in Anaheim, California.  Thank you to everyone who voted for me.  I look forward to continuing to be an active part of our national professional organization.

Tags:   AASL · Carl HarveyNo Comments.

Today is almost like Christmas!  I came home to find my author copies of the book No School Library Left Behind.  I am most grateful and appreciative of the great folks of Linworth Publishing who helped guide an idea into a finished book.  It is so rewarding to see the hard work you put into a project come to completion.

Connecting our school library media programs to the school improvement process is a critical opportunity for ensuring that school libraries are seen as essential.  My hope is that the book will help provide ideas and strategies that other library media specialist can use to connect their programs to the school improvement process.

Tags:   Linworth · No Schoo Library Left BehindNo Comments.

This week I’ve been out of my library for a variety of difference reasons.  I attended Peggy Sharp’s BER workshop.  This is a perennial favorite event on my calendar and a great time to share and talk about new books.  It also provides an opportunity to catch-up with some of my library media friends — which makes the day even more special.  This year I represented our school district at the  annual Board Meeting for our state library cooperative - INCOLSA. Attending this event for the first time, I enjoyed the opportunity to talk and share and think about ways we can take even more advantages of the services INCOLSA provides its members.  Other “outings” included: spending time with our 4th grade teachers developing book orders for titles they want to use with leveled reading, attending our monthly library media specialist meeting, and visiting a neighboring district to talk about collaboration.  Sometimes when I go to a conference or a meeting I wonder if that really is a good use of my time, but as I sit here reflecting I think it is.   Those opportunities to be out of our buildings give us a chance to see and hear what others do, to find new resources and opportunities to expand our program, and networking with others library media specialists.  All of the time I spent this week will help us continue to develop and improve our library media program for our students and staff, so it was time well spent.

Tags:   collaboration · INCOLSA · Peggy Sharp · professional developmentNo Comments.

One question I sometimes get is “How do you do all that you do?” I never know how to answer. Deadlines loom and stress grows for me just like everyone else. Occasionally I have moments of “what was I thinking” popping into my head. I also have responsibilities for family and interests beyond the school library realm. At the same time, I think when I take a few minutes to ponder why I write, why I present, why I work hard to collaborate with teachers, why I am involved in state and national professional organizations is because at the end of the day it all makes me a better library media specialist for my students and staff. Everything I’m involved in pushes me to learn, to try new things, and to stretch beyond my comfort zone. I tell new library media specialist to start small, find the pieces and parts you are passionate about, and use those to spark your involvement in the profession. I think that’s what I’ve tried to do. So, for me it isn’t “How do you do all you do?”, but rather “How can I not?”

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April is National School Library Media Month. AASL has some great tools and resources available on their website. I just got in the mail from AASL a great poster advertising school library media month and the new American Girl movie – Kit Kittredge. There are some activities to go along with the book on the back by the AASL School Library Media Month Task Force. So, check on the AASL resources and celebrate our programs and profession!

Tags:   School Library Media Month 2008No Comments.

If you are in Indiana (or close by), consider registering for the AIME Survivor Workshop on June 10, 2008 in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Sponsored by the Association for Indiana Media Educators, the workshop brochure is posted here.  The main program will be Annette Lamb and Larry Johnson giving a practical workshop on using Web 2.0 in schools.  Having seen these two present a similar session at AASL in Reno, I can hardly wait to be able to spend more time absorbing all of their ideas!  It should be a fantastic day!

Tags:   AIME · Annette Lamb · Larry Johnson · Survivor 2008No Comments.

This week we’re on spring break — an entire week of sleeping in, staying up late, and not having any type of schedule.  This year a vacation destination was not in the cards, so I’m home doing whatever the mood strikes me.  I told someone that I was doing “nothing” over break and the described some of what I was doing.  Their response was that their definition of “nothing” wasn’t anything like my definition.  I admit it that I tend to work a lot, but I think part of that is because what other deem as work, I see as play so to speak.  I enjoy reading and writing.  I enjoy getting stuff organized for a project or class.  I like putting together presentations.  All of these things were on my agenda for this week.  The good thing is I can work at them in small doses and mix that in with some pleasure reading and spending some time with my nephew.  All in all –  a great way to spend a week!

Tags:   spring breakNo Comments.

Ok, I admit it. I probably had it coming to me. As I was at ALA Midwinter in January the staff at my school decided to play their own version of the Biggest Loser. The game would be played between January and Spring Break (which starts at the end of the day on Thursday!). Since I wasn’t there, they signed me up because “they were sure I wouldn’t want to be left out.” Now, for the most part that last statement is true. I don’t like to be left out.

• Did I need to start eating a little healthier? Yeah, probably.
• Did I need to start exercising a little bit? Yeah, probably.
• Did I need to loose a little bit of weigh? Yeah, probably.

But, were any of those reasons why I did it? No, not really. What I love so much about the school I work at is that the staff really is a big family. We enjoy having a good time together and making work a fun place to be. This game was just another opportunity for us to have some fun and attempt to get a little healthier.

It has been a lot of fun, a lot of work, and certainly has paid off since we’ve lost over 400+ pounds as a staff. So, yes, I’ve been seen eating a salad at lunch and haven’t visited McDonalds in months. I’ve been exercising and so far have done pretty well.

Whether it is fun and games or curriculum and committees, I like to be involved in what is happening at our school. I think it helps cement the idea that our library media program is a part of everything. Now, do I think everyone needs to join a “get healthier” game to make their library media program an integral part, the answer is no. But, library media specialist should be an active part of the school – both for curriculum and committees, but also for fun and games!

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