Thing 21: Taking the Lead: Connecting with your Stakeholders
I chose this "thing" to investigate because it is about a very relevant topic to all librarians - particularly school librarians. Unfortunately we seem to be the target for cuts in budgets when our profession is needed the most. We need to educate the community that we are so much more than the keeper of the books! Our local SLS office just hosted Hilda Weisburg to discuss the issue of advocacy with our local school librarians. It was very interesting and reassuring to hear what she had to say mirrored in the beginning video and the articles. We need to stand up for ourselves and shout to the world that we are needed (this is probably difficult for most of us in this profession - especially me).
The video had a lot of very good material about reaching out to the stakeholders through the mission statement, school improvement plans and surveys targeted at administrators, teachers and students. At our SLS conference Hilda suggested the same thing so part of our day was spent creating a mission statement which was very difficult. A lot of the librarians wanted to pull in their school's mission statements because many were very good - our is "As one we rise, together we soar." We realized that we need to really work on this in the near future. We also tried to brainstorm ways to reach stakeholders with most of us targeting Board members. Regardless of that I really liked the way Heidi broke it down for each group of stakeholders - even the students. The survey sounds like a positive step which I have thought of but haven't taken the steps to do.
The part I really related to was trying to reach the students, teachers and administrators. Over the past 4 years I have rearranged my library to pull out series with lots of space on the shelves to show where one series begins and ends. I have found that circulation has gone up because the kids could see what we had, what was next, etc. Teachers and former librarians had a more difficult time figuring out what I was doing but once they "got it" really liked it - it also makes it easier for subs to help shelve. One of my take aways from the video was the idea of repurposing shelve markers to show where popular titles/subjects are. Seeing that I am going to a K-5 building I think I will try this with the younger kids - I also liked the idea of having books covers facing out to draw the kids in.
Teachers and administrators may be a little difficult for me as I'm in a new building with only 2 teachers that I know. One thought which ties into the survey is to ask them in the beginning of the year what types of books, projects and other things they would like to see from the library. This way I don't appear too aggressive as the new person - I was given the advice from a mentor to start with those that are most open to collaboration and that once you show what can be done, more will join in. I have certainly found that to be true in my current library. This past year one of my 3rd grade colleagues and I signed up for a Research Ambassadors project through our SLS and today we shared the project at our PLC meeting. We shared the project with the group and said that despite being in two buildings next year we were going to continue to collaborate with each other - we brought the new librarian in and one of the teachers that is moving with me. Surprisingly we were asked by a colleague that I don't do many projects with to have them join in next year too!
I also watched the video School Libraries Matter and I agree that the library needs to be the focal point because so many good things happen there. I wish all of us had the support of those Principals and Admistrators that were interviewed. I do feel that we need to really open up the library and make it know that all are welcome even if we are teaching a class - I know this is a hard concept for many of us. The space needs to be welcoming and safe for all who enter.
The articles I read were 4 Ways to Advocate for School Libraries and 10 Things Classroom Teachers Need to Know About Modern School Librarians. Both were terrific articles that I found to be true in my school. Both address the issue of instructional partnerships or collaborative lessons which can be very challenging for a number of reasons. What I have discovered in my building is that many would like to do something together but either don't think they have the time to add more to their plate or they just don't think about it until after. I started out with only a few teachers willing to work together my first year and now I have added more - not all but it seems we are on the upswing! The feedback from those that I have helped has been very positive and they themselves have learned new things! Time to meet is always tough due to our schedules so we either meet before/after school or email a lot! It can be done if you are willing to be creative.
In the 10 things article I also loved the part that we don't know everything. I have had this discussion with family and students and the adults couldn't believe I admitted to not knowing something! The kids thought it was really cool that I was ok with saying that which opened a door for us to find things together. I noticed it put a lot of them at ease which helped me to establish great relationships with them. The other part of the article that talks about us reading all day has been brought up as well. I've had teachers say they tried for my position when there was an opening and they were surprised that you needed a MLS to read all day. I tried not to be offended and just told them all of the other things we do in addition to trying to get the kids to read. This is a stereotype that we will have to work for many years to change.
Overall I really liked this module because it offers attainable goals on ways to advocate for our jobs. Scary that it has come to that but we need to show the community that we are needed - we must not be in the shadows making others look good. In a recent conversation I had with my Prinicipal we were discussing this very issue and he strongly encouraged me to find ways to make it known that we matter and are needed! I feel like I am better prepared to start my next journey in my new library based on what I have learned here. There are a lot of other terrific resources listed that I will be revisiting over the summer.
The video had a lot of very good material about reaching out to the stakeholders through the mission statement, school improvement plans and surveys targeted at administrators, teachers and students. At our SLS conference Hilda suggested the same thing so part of our day was spent creating a mission statement which was very difficult. A lot of the librarians wanted to pull in their school's mission statements because many were very good - our is "As one we rise, together we soar." We realized that we need to really work on this in the near future. We also tried to brainstorm ways to reach stakeholders with most of us targeting Board members. Regardless of that I really liked the way Heidi broke it down for each group of stakeholders - even the students. The survey sounds like a positive step which I have thought of but haven't taken the steps to do.
The part I really related to was trying to reach the students, teachers and administrators. Over the past 4 years I have rearranged my library to pull out series with lots of space on the shelves to show where one series begins and ends. I have found that circulation has gone up because the kids could see what we had, what was next, etc. Teachers and former librarians had a more difficult time figuring out what I was doing but once they "got it" really liked it - it also makes it easier for subs to help shelve. One of my take aways from the video was the idea of repurposing shelve markers to show where popular titles/subjects are. Seeing that I am going to a K-5 building I think I will try this with the younger kids - I also liked the idea of having books covers facing out to draw the kids in.
Teachers and administrators may be a little difficult for me as I'm in a new building with only 2 teachers that I know. One thought which ties into the survey is to ask them in the beginning of the year what types of books, projects and other things they would like to see from the library. This way I don't appear too aggressive as the new person - I was given the advice from a mentor to start with those that are most open to collaboration and that once you show what can be done, more will join in. I have certainly found that to be true in my current library. This past year one of my 3rd grade colleagues and I signed up for a Research Ambassadors project through our SLS and today we shared the project at our PLC meeting. We shared the project with the group and said that despite being in two buildings next year we were going to continue to collaborate with each other - we brought the new librarian in and one of the teachers that is moving with me. Surprisingly we were asked by a colleague that I don't do many projects with to have them join in next year too!
I also watched the video School Libraries Matter and I agree that the library needs to be the focal point because so many good things happen there. I wish all of us had the support of those Principals and Admistrators that were interviewed. I do feel that we need to really open up the library and make it know that all are welcome even if we are teaching a class - I know this is a hard concept for many of us. The space needs to be welcoming and safe for all who enter.
The articles I read were 4 Ways to Advocate for School Libraries and 10 Things Classroom Teachers Need to Know About Modern School Librarians. Both were terrific articles that I found to be true in my school. Both address the issue of instructional partnerships or collaborative lessons which can be very challenging for a number of reasons. What I have discovered in my building is that many would like to do something together but either don't think they have the time to add more to their plate or they just don't think about it until after. I started out with only a few teachers willing to work together my first year and now I have added more - not all but it seems we are on the upswing! The feedback from those that I have helped has been very positive and they themselves have learned new things! Time to meet is always tough due to our schedules so we either meet before/after school or email a lot! It can be done if you are willing to be creative.
In the 10 things article I also loved the part that we don't know everything. I have had this discussion with family and students and the adults couldn't believe I admitted to not knowing something! The kids thought it was really cool that I was ok with saying that which opened a door for us to find things together. I noticed it put a lot of them at ease which helped me to establish great relationships with them. The other part of the article that talks about us reading all day has been brought up as well. I've had teachers say they tried for my position when there was an opening and they were surprised that you needed a MLS to read all day. I tried not to be offended and just told them all of the other things we do in addition to trying to get the kids to read. This is a stereotype that we will have to work for many years to change.
Overall I really liked this module because it offers attainable goals on ways to advocate for our jobs. Scary that it has come to that but we need to show the community that we are needed - we must not be in the shadows making others look good. In a recent conversation I had with my Prinicipal we were discussing this very issue and he strongly encouraged me to find ways to make it known that we matter and are needed! I feel like I am better prepared to start my next journey in my new library based on what I have learned here. There are a lot of other terrific resources listed that I will be revisiting over the summer.
Terrific post. Such important issues, sounds like you are ready to take on the new school. Love that one of the teachers asked to join in the group! The word is spreading. :) And "I don't know, let's find out" really is such an important phrase isn't it. I say it all the time!
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