First Year Teacher Librarian...Any survival tips? Advice? Help!

[Lindsay Shaw]

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!

[Cheryl Wolf]

Hello Cara, I have been thinking about designing a survey for teachers so that I can plan more effectively, in the absence of a school-wide curriculum map.  Would you be willing to share yours?  Thanks!  --Cheryl ([e-mail])

[cara delia]

Oh thats a great idea, in fact if you use google docs.  it is really easy.  I use this for several things and I make the 3-5 kids sign in everyday with it.  This allows me to survey the reasons the students are coming to the librry, and the students who may or may not be utilizing the library effectively.  It is also great for justifying spending in certain areas, because I cn present it for grants, or to the pricipal for budget.  with goodle docs you can send the link in an e-mail ad after all th eresults are in you simply log in and review them.  You can print this off and do one maybe at the beg. of the year and one at the end.  You'll have to forgie my typing...I have a 3 yr. old in my lap.  Good luck!

[Mary A. Powers]

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?

[Carol S.]

Cara are you on a flexible schedule?