School librarians: HELP, Please!

[Glynis]

I need some serious help! I recently returned to school to get my certification as a school librarian. I have been out of school since 1991, worked for 5 years as a high school teacher, and have now spent the last 9 years raising my family. My youngest will be starting school in a couple of years, and I decided to get certification as a librarian since I don't want to be a teacher anymore.

My problem? I'm taking my classes online, and am in a class where the professor has flat out told me that I'm in over my head with his graduate level class (even though I've done every assignment he's given and received 100% on each assignment). He just gave us a research assignment, and when I asked for some help and direction, he reconfirmed that I'm not where I should be. So, I'm done asking my professor for help.

The assignment is to find a topic of interest regarding school library management; a program that would really help a school library meet its objectives better. The idea needs to meet an actual core curriculum goal. Can any librarians tell me about any programs you use in your libraries that might fit this bill. I have no idea what to research, because I have never worked in a library before. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Ugh! Can't offer any help, just some sympathy! I am a children's librarian at a public library, so no school experience. Alot of my schoolmates at grad school were just like you - they were teachers who wanted out of the classroom, but to stay in the school in a new role.

I can relate to your class though - I hate how grad school makes everything so "high-level" and filled with theories and concepts that have no relation to the real world at all. Have you read any of those scholarly articles on "Information Seeking Behavior" yet??? Honestly, as a librarian, I spend most of my time putting books back on the shelves! Some help those classes were!

Sorry that professor sounds so full of himself! Hopefully you will think of something! Good luck!

 

[Glynis]

Bumping for the evening crew.

I'd love any help.

 

[momof1princess]

i'm so sorry your professor is such a bonehead, glynis-i wanted to be a librarian myself, but not in a school. then i found out i'd have to go back to college to become a teacher, teach 2-3 years, then apply to graduate school to be a librarian, so that dream is GONE. i personally have NO desire to be a teacher but God Bless those of you who are, you make this world a better place. i hope this post bumps your message up so that someone who can help you sees it. best of luck with your studies

 

[SeattleRedBear]

Glynis -- I've never been a school librarian (university library cataloger here) and (unfortunately) don't know any school librarians I can refer you to, but found a couple citations that you might find of interest. Sorry I can't answer your question directly but hope this helps. In general, how is that working with the distance ed program? Is there any reason you wouldn't consider interviewing the media specialists at your former school or ones in your school district?
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Title: Overwhelming Evidence
Personal Author: Oatman, Eric
Source: School Library Journal v. 52 no. 1 (January 2006) p. 56-9
ISSN: 0362-8930
Abstract: Juniors at Gill St. Bernard's School in Gladstone, New Jersey, are required to take a six-week lesson in information handling. They select a course-related topic that interests them, analyze recent studies about it, and produce a paper that summarizes their research and conclusions. The program is a true teacher-librarian collaboration and is founded upon evidence-based practice, in which the process of searching for information can be as important as the product.
Subject(s): School libraries/New Jersey; School libraries/Relations with teachers and curriculum; Bibliographic instruction/Elementary and high school students; Research and the library; Gill St. Bernard's School (Gladstone, N.J.)

Title: New Teachers Techless
Personal Author: Barack, Lauren
Source: School Library Journal v. 51 no. 12 (December 2005) p. 18
ISSN: 0362-8930
Abstract: A recent National School Boards Association tech survey has revealed that new teachers are ill prepared to integrate technology into the classroom and that school librarians are in a perfect position to help them. In addition, 46 percent of participants believe that integrating technology is the biggest challenge facing school districts today.
Subject(s): Online searching/Teaching; School libraries/Relations with teachers and curriculum; National School Boards Association

Title: Reaching 21st-Century Learners
Personal Author: St. Lifer, Evan
Source: School Library Journal v. 51 no. 5 (May 2005) p. 11
ISSN: 0362-8930
Abstract: The acceptance and increasing legitimacy of 21st-century learning skills require school library media specialists to strengthen their role as legitimate and indispensible purveyors, instructors, and evaluators of a technology-infused curriculum. The results of a survey of the role played by librarians in infusing technology into the curriculum and in technology training for students and teachers are considered, and the creation of the North Carolina Center for 21st Century Skills is discussed.
Subject(s): School libraries/Relations with teachers and curriculum; Duties of librarians; School librarians

Title: When Bad Libraries Go Good
Personal Author: Stevenson, Sara
Source: School Library Journal v. 51 no. 5 (May 2005) p. 46-8
ISSN: 0362-8930
Abstract: Some of the strategies used to reinvigorate a middle school library are described. The strategies included making adolescents feel welcome, increasing opening hours, being friendly and emphasizing personal service, learning about what adolescents liked to read and serving those needs, launching a public relations campaign, holding fund-raisers, implementing a schoolwide reading program, and organizing book clubs.
Subject(s): School libraries/Administration; School libraries/Texas; Young adults' reading/Texas; Reading incentive programs

Title: Getting in the Principal's Face
Personal Author: St. Lifer, Evan
Source: School Library Journal v. 50 no. 10 (October 2004) p. 11
ISSN: 0362-8930
Abstract: Few principals understand the link between school library programs and student achievement. The 2004 School Library Journal/Greenwood Publishing Group Administrator of the Year Award recognizes those who have identified and are leveraging the link, but these represent an enlightened minority. To rectify the situation, library media specialists need to help principals to establish student performance and school improvement goals that utilize the library to meet those goals.
Subject(s): School libraries/Relations with principals and superintendents; Administration/Awards; School library journal

 

[Glynis]

Glynis -- I've never been a school librarian (university library cataloger here) and (unfortunately) don't know any school librarians I can refer you to, but found a couple citations that you might find of interest. Sorry I can't answer your question directly but hope this helps. In general, how is that working with the distance ed program? Is there any reason you wouldn't consider interviewing the media specialists at your former school or ones in your school district?
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Thank you for these articles. I'll read them tonight. The distance ed program has been wonderful up until this professor. I actually have an appointment to visit with the media specialist in our district tomorrow. I have just gotten such support from the DIS before, I thought I'd see what everyone has to say.

I can't wait to talk to the media person tomorrow, but I know that she will not be able to give me much time. She is the only certified librarian in our district, and she has to oversee all the schools in the district. Yikes for her!

 

[SeattleRedBear]

Thank you for these articles. I'll read them tonight. The distance ed program has been wonderful up until this professor. I actually have an appointment to visit with the media specialist in our district tomorrow. I have just gotten such support from the DIS before, I thought I'd see what everyone has to say.

I can't wait to talk to the media person tomorrow, but I know that she will not be able to give me much time. She is the only certified librarian in our district, and she has to oversee all the schools in the district. Yikes for her!

Glad you were able to set that up with your local librarian. Wow, they only have one certified librarian for the entire district?! I can understand using non-librarians for elementary schools and maybe middle schools, but with high school curriculums, etc. having a librarian can really make all the difference between having good information literacy and not. Good luck with the assignment and let me know if there's anything else I can help with.

 

[jedi_librarian]

Hi, there.

I'm a public librarian, but I'm thinking your local library would have some databases that will help you! Go to the public library by you, too and tell them you're in library school and need to do research. They should have some resources, too, because in general, library-related databases will have stuff for all types of libraries. My library, for example, subscribes to School Library Journal, even though we're a public library. The Reference staff should be able to help you, but more so even the Children's librarians. They use the same resources school librarians do.

Good luck! By the way, do you have an advisor at your school? I would let them know about this professor. What a meanie (well, I have a stronger word, but will refrain!)

 

[SeattleRedBear]

Good luck! By the way, do you have an advisor at your school? I would let them know about this professor. What a meanie (well, I have a stronger word, but will refrain!)

That's a good point. At least with the program here in Seattle (and I assume this is true for school media certification programs in general), the instructors are not tenured faculty and tend to be hired one year at a time. I would give very clear feedback (after you've gotten your grade) both in any evaluation done and specifically to your advisor or program administrator. No one should have to put up with the attitude you've been given ESPECIALLY since you've been getting good grades so far.

 

[Glynis]

That's a good point. At least with the program here in Seattle (and I assume this is true for school media certification programs in general), the instructors are not tenured faculty and tend to be hired one year at a time. I would give very clear feedback (after you've gotten your grade) both in any evaluation done and specifically to your advisor or program administrator. No one should have to put up with the attitude you've been given ESPECIALLY since you've been getting good grades so far.

That's what my DH said, too. My plan (now that I'm over being upset) is to totally WOW him with the rest of my assignments, and then once the semester is over, talk with the dept. chair (also my advisor) and show him the emails I've gotten as well as all the assignments (with comments from the prof.).

I told my husband that the first thing they teach you when you start learning to be a teacher is to never make a student feel stupid when asking for help. This guy must have missed that day.