[ISLMA-Share] Possible position change advice needed

[Email list for the Illinois School Library Media Association]

I was thinking along the same lines as Marcia.  Why not hire another
full-time librarian with a strong tech background, like yourself, and keep
one FT librarian/tech person at each building?  Then you are not splitting
the schedules of TWO licensed professionals, and making them be
half-effective at each building. Both teachers and kids like to know who
they can count on for support.  Of course, the description of the "tech
person" will have to be written carefully, and you do not want to lose the
requirement of hiring someone with an LIS endorsement.  And don't give up
on the aides at each building, too!  If you have to compromise, maybe they
could be .5 at each building.

Good luck, Rikki!  If the superintendent is asking for your input, you have
already made an impression with your professionalism.  You have his/her ear
and that is HUGE.

Georgeann
gburch at illinois.edu

On Thu, Mar 24, 2016 at 3:57 PM, Email list for the Illinois School Library
Media Association <islma at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:

> This is exactly what I needed to hear! Thank you for putting it perfectly.
> I'll be working on something to explain this idea over the weekend.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Mar 24, 2016, at 3:34 PM, Email list for the Illinois School Library
> Media Association <islma at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:
> >
> > I have served multiple buildings (3) for 29 years, supervising an aide
> at each location.  Clearly it can be done.
> >
> > BUT far, far more of your time is spent on administration rather than
> teaching.  And if they have your student contact at full time then you
> won't have time to do the library work.  Aides can handle circulation, but
> you must select, order, catalog, and direct.
> >
> > The tech coach idea is popular right now with administrators.  It lasted
> one year in our district.  Several reasons observed:  they are NOT
> librarians and do not understand collaboration, if they are spread across
> multiple buildings they are rendered far less effective (as are you) since
> technology assistance is often needed on demand, not via schedule.
> >
> > Two certified teacher librarians will be far more effective, perhaps
> taking on an enlarged role in technology coaching, than what is being
> proposed, I believe.
> >
> > In the building - full time is what teachers and students need.
> Otherwise it is like a principal covering two buildings.  After all... they
> have secretaries, right?
> >
> > Marcia Brandt
> >
> > Director of K-4 Library Media Services
> >
> > Herscher CUSD#2:  Bonfield Grade and Herscher Intermediate Schools
> >
> > brandtm at hsd2.k12.il.us -- 815 426-2242 x 412 -- 501 North Main,
> Herscher, IL  60941
> >
> >
> >
> > "Librarians are just like search engines, except they smile and they
> talk to me and they don't give me paid-for advertising when they are trying
> to help. And they have actual hearts."
> >
> > - Matt Haig
> >
> >
> > Read to me... Views from a K-8 Library Media Specialist
> >
> > ________________________________________
> > From: islma-bounces at list.railslibraries.info <
> islma-bounces at list.railslibraries.info> on behalf of Email list for the
> Illinois School Library Media Association <islma at list.railslibraries.info>
> > Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2016 1:08 PM
> > To: ISLMA group
> > Subject: [ISLMA-Share] Possible position change advice needed
> >
> > I need some advice.
> >
> > I am the middle school librarian in a school with a little less than 400
> students in grades 5-8. The elementary librarian will be leaving at the end
> of the school year. My superintendent has approached me about the possible
> change in my position to be the district librarian with a library aide at
> each school working underneath me. Neither school has an aide at the time
> being, so both of these would be new positions. I would then be responsible
> for both schools. He would also be creating a new position of tech coach.
> This person would be working at both schools and would be working closely
> with me. It sounds like he is going to take my opinion on the matter
> seriously when he makes this decision, but I'm not really sure.
> >
> > I'm not sure what to do at this point. I see both positives and
> negatives about this change. Any advice you all could give me would be more
> than welcome.
> >
> > Thanks so much!
> > Rikki Steinmetz
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> > _______________________________________________
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