[aisle] Help me feel better about classroom libraries . . .

Wed Feb 24 11:48:33 CST 2021

My understanding is that many, if not most, classroom libraries are the
property of the teacher, not the school, and go with the teacher as they
move throughout their career. So it may feel like they are supplanting the
library collection while that particular teacher is there, but it's not
forever! And when teachers are at a school long-term, they tend to
structure their classroom libraries to meet needs they feel are not being
met by the school library.

Maybe talking to teacher teams to see if there are any perceived 'holes' in
your collection would help?

On Wed, Feb 24, 2021 at 11:16 AM Pam Meiser via AISLE <
aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:

> I was a classroom teacher as well. Having my own classroom library (which
> I spent my own money to create) allowed me to sort many of my books by
> reading level. Having those books close at hand after conferring with a
> student allowed me to immediately put a book in the child's hand at the
> appropriate level. I often had multiple copies for book groups or for
> partner reading, which my library doesn't have. My library has books for
> K-5, whereas my classroom library had books that matched the reading range
> for my third graders.
>
> As a librarian, I want my students to read whatever they'd like, despite
> their reading level. Plus, I don't know each child's reading level!
> Classroom teachers do not accompany their students to the library.
>
> I believe the two can exist in harmony!
>
> On Tue, Feb 23, 2021 at 3:58 PM Leah Krippner via AISLE <
> aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:
>
>> I understand their inclination. I was a classroom teacher with a meaty
>> classroom library. It kept a lid on kids who claimed to need a new book and
>> would spend virtually the entire hour down at the library "looking" for a
>> new book. They weren't looking for anything other than a ticket to roam the
>> halls. I amassed a sizable classroom collection to keep these non-readers
>> on a short leash.
>>
>> Don't worry. We aren't trying to compete with the actual library. And the
>> clients we're appeasing weren't your actual library users.
>>
>> --
>> Leah Krippner
>> Pronouns: she/her
>> Librarian, Harlem High School
>> Currently Reading: *Ready Player Two* by Ernest Cline
>> Library Website
>> <https://sites.google.com/harlem122.org/hhs/Harlem-High-School/IMC?authuser=0>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Feb 23, 2021 at 3:46 PM Renee Brown via AISLE <
>> aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:
>>
>>> Lately, I have been bothered (threatened?) by the number of books our
>>> classroom teachers buy and collect and catalog in their classrooms. I don't
>>> understand why they spend so much of their personal money to build
>>> classroom collections when we have libraries in the schools to accommodate
>>> reading. I would really feel jilted if my school was subsidizing their
>>> classroom collections, but as far as I know, this is not happening. I had a
>>> classroom teacher come to me to ask for help on how to catalog her
>>> classroom collection using classroom.booksource.com.  Their classroom
>>> collections are fabulous and full of current, popular titles.
>>>
>>> Why does this make me feel uneasy? I am glad they have so many books for
>>> their students to choose from, I just don't understand why they feel the
>>> need to build such massive collections.
>>>
>>> I know libraries offer more selections and are more organized and are
>>> more diversified. I know we offer more than just books. I know we are a
>>> resource to students and teachers. I know we provide programming and
>>> instruction. Even though I know our worth, any words of comfort would
>>> help me feel better about seeing all the shelves of really cool books in
>>> the classrooms. (Which is actually a good thing. Right?)
>>>
>>>
>>> Renee Brown
>>> *District Librarian*
>>> *Computer Teacher*
>>> *Learn and Serve Team Coordinator*
>>> Arthur CUSD #305
>>> 217-578-2229
>>>
>>>
>>> [image: See the source image]
>>>
>>> *        (Class of 2011)*
>>>
>>>
>>> MAILMAN_MIMEDEFANG
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> AISLE mailing list
>>> AISLE at list.railslibraries.info
>>>
>>> For list archives and subscription options, visit:
>>> http://list.railslibraries.info/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/aisle
>>>
>>> To unsubscribe, send a message to:
>>> aisle-leave at list.railslibraries.info
>>>
>>> https://www.aisled.org/
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> *This message, and any attachments to it, may contain information that is
>> privileged, confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law.
>> If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are
>> notified that any use, dissemination, distribution, copying, or
>> communication of this message is strictly prohibited.  If you have received
>> this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by return
>> e-mail and delete the message and any attachments.  Thank you.*
>> MAILMAN_MIMEDEFANG
>> _______________________________________________
>> AISLE mailing list
>> AISLE at list.railslibraries.info
>>
>> For list archives and subscription options, visit:
>> http://list.railslibraries.info/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/aisle
>>
>> To unsubscribe, send a message to:
>> aisle-leave at list.railslibraries.info
>>
>> https://www.aisled.org/
>
> MAILMAN_MIMEDEFANG
> _______________________________________________
> AISLE mailing list
> AISLE at list.railslibraries.info
>
> For list archives and subscription options, visit:
> http://list.railslibraries.info/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/aisle
>
> To unsubscribe, send a message to:
> aisle-leave at list.railslibraries.info
>
> https://www.aisled.org/

-- 

#StaySafe

'Who needs a librarian when you have Google? Well, who needs a doctor when
you have WebMD?'

Gwyneth Jones, The Daring Librarian.com

Christine Wilson, MLIS, Media Assistant
Avon Center School
1617 N. Rt. 83
Round Lake Beach, IL 60073

*Home of the Novas *

wilson.christine at d46. <http://wilson.christine@d46.k12.il.us>org
@M <https://twitter.com/Christi98003919>rsWilson46
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://list.railslibraries.info/pipermail/aisle/attachments/20210224/a00b8814/attachment.html>