I will finish my library degree this summer and would like to work in a school library. I’ve interviewed with three principals. I asked about the school district’s selection policy, and none knew of one. This makes me very nervous. How should I approach this?
Good for you for asking the question. It is troubling that the principals aren’t aware of a selection policy, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t one. Board policy manuals should be available in the administrative office and the library of every school. Ask to see it, and take the time to read the policy. Your question and request may help these principals focus on more than filling a position.
I’m an elementary librarian in a private Christian school. A first grade teacher asked students to bring their favorite book to share. One brought in a “Captain Underpants” title. A parent lodged a complaint because she doesn’t think the school should be endorsing the book. The teacher’s contract wasn’t renewed. How do I help calm a faculty that’s nervous about the outcome of this complaint?
Asking children to share favorite books isn’t an endorsement of a particular title. It is a good way to get students engaged in reading, but if the school is so concerned about what is shared, then there is another way to approach the assignment. Teachers could ask students to select their favorite book from the school library and share it. I’m assuming that the library collection reflects the Christian principles of the school. That said, I think there’s more to this case. My bet is there were other issues, and the administration used this complaint as the final straw needed to terminate the teacher.
Let the administration know that the faculty is nervous and needs reassurance. This should be addressed in a faculty meeting at the beginning of the school year.
An eighth grade social studies teacher requires her students to read and write an analysis of current events. She told them they couldn’t use Internet news articles. We do provide the local newspaper, but we don’t have the budget for magazine subscriptions. I asked the teacher to alter her assignment, and she blamed the library for not subscribing to the resources she needs.
There are many ways that school libraries can provide the necessary resources for students to complete assignments. Databases at most public libraries may be remotely accessed with a public library card. Ask a public librarian to come to the school and take student applications for cards. Then show them how to access articles they need.
Suggest to the teacher that she bring her students to the library for training in how to identify reliable and balanced Internet news articles. This is good training that will serve them well now and for future assignments.
Many schools allow faculty to post material and supply needs on the school website. Appeal to parents to donate news magazines, or ask a civic organization to chip in and help. By no means get into an argument about fault. It’s always best to offer a solution to a problem. Otherwise, the real losers are the students.
I’m a librarian in a public library near a university. Many of our patrons are faculty and their families. The parents tend to think their children are “gifted” and complain that storytime isn’t challenging for preschoolers. I recently read Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems. A parent filed a complaint, saying that it was too simple. Now this parent follows me around while I suggest books for children to borrow.
This is a common problem. Let all parents know that pre-school children, regardless of how “gifted” they are, have short attention spans in a group situation. They may sit for a much longer period when a parent reads to them. You should tell them that your goal is to introduce children to age-appropriate books that are “too good to miss,” ones that children respond to with great delight.
Lead parents to classic picture books such as Make Way for Ducklings that have more text. Suggest that they choose a book to read together, and one, or several, that the child chooses. This way, everyone wins.