Reinventing Again

This blog is now becoming a place for my reflections from my fieldwork as a Teacher Librarian.

I've now been to campus twice, for a total of 10 hours.  The first visit was mainly administrative work.  Students were on campus but not yet visiting the library, and the teacher librarian was getting the library ready for students in the next week.

Things I should remember:

• Type out instructions for volunteers, including tasks to do when they run out of other things to do.  Checking books in/out, shelving items, basic book repair, and "reading" shelves can be done by well-trained volunteers.  I had my mentor send me copies of her documents to use as a starting point in the future.
• As I did when I was a classroom teacher, I need to prepare "guest teacher" plans. 
• When the TL teaches lessons, as is the case in this elementary school, it is helpful to see all of one grade level on a specific day (if possible).  I think I would prefer to see each class (or group) at the same designated time each week, but if teachers are not happy with that arrangement I can give them the available time slots and let them work out a schedule that makes sense for them.

The second time, I got to observe the TL with students.  She primarily did an introductory lesson, going over library rules, letting her students get to know her, and pointing out new sections of the library.

My take-aways:

• Students really liked having the series fiction pulled out and arranged by series.
• Small world language collections brought huge smiles to the faces of English Language Learner.  These can be obtained through donation or by checking public library "friends" sales.
• An "honor" library of books students can take and return at their leisure for those students who cannot check out books (either because they are new and not yet in the system or because they have overdue/missing books) is popular, practical, and takes very little effort on the part of the TL.
• Allowing holds or book suggestions is a good way to handle most student issues.
• Volunteers are key.  Get them early, train them well, invest time in visiting with them/getting to know them so that they are invested in YOU and in the library program and will be reliable helpers.
• Let students know when they can come to the library, the lending policy, etc.
• Put books cover out as much as possible.  Those are the ones students grab.  When finding titles to place cover out, check the bottom shelves--those are the most often neglected. (learned from a library volunteer!)
• Shelf place-holders:  find them, teach students to use them!

Seriously, this is the best job on the planet.