[ISLMA-Share] "Quiet" in the Library?

[Email list for the Illinois School Library Media Association]

Hi Cate, 

Our library is small, & since before I've been here it has also been used as the testing center. No room even for the room dividers you'll be getting. I have always stressed respectful use of the room and awareness of what others are working on to the students. Since everyone clearly sees everyone else, that's not hard to miss. Sometimes it works better than others. I tell everyone that the library belongs to everyone and they'd want the same consideration if they were testing. It's not a silent room by any means & shooshing isn't something I do either. I just make sure groups are aware of someone who's testing and ask them with a smile to talk a bit more quietly. They know I'd do the same if they needed to concentrate on a test as well. 

Not the best situation to be in but it can work. It will take time to get everyone used to it I'm sure. And if it doesn't work, document it because it shows the need for a separate testing room. Let your teachers know about the changes so they can let students know as well.  I've been trying on that front! Good luck!

Pamela Huff
Learning Center Director 
Johnsburg High School
2002 W. Ringwood Road
Johnsburg IL 60051
815-385-9233

Sent from my iPhone 

> On Aug 6, 2016, at 12:46 AM, Email list for the Illinois School Library Media Association <islma at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:
> 
> I’m seeking some collective wisdom on the control and monitoring of noise levels in the elementary school library. I will start by stressing that I have always disliked the stereotype of the sternly “shushing” librarian, who demands absolute silence. I believe a library should be a place to learn and explore, and that students should enjoy sharing and collaborating in groups, allowing for a reasonable level of productive noise and movement. 
> 
> However, after two years of the library being closed for 8+ weeks throughout the year for testing, my principal has agreed to let us try implementing a combined Learning/Testing Center this year, where library classes will continue in the main part of the library while room dividers block off one end, which will have laptops set up to serve as a testing area. Her biggest concern is whether we will be able to keep the noise level low enough during testing. 
> 
> Unfortunately, the room dividers do not help much with sound dampening, so I am looking for ideas on how to train students to “Whisper” in the library without falling into the “shushing” librarian stereotype!  :-)  
> 
> Thanks for any tips/ideas you might be willing to share! 
> 
> Kate Tamms
> Cary, IL 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> ISLMA-Share mailing list
> islma at list.railslibraries.info
> For list archives and subscription options, visit:
> http://list.railslibraries.info/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/islma
> To unsubscribe, send a message to:
> islma-leave at list.railslibraries.info
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://list.railslibraries.info/pipermail/aisle/attachments/20160806/8fdc8691/attachment-0002.html>