[aisle] Did Covid Ruin Your Library Vibe?

Tue Apr 26 13:49:41 CDT 2022

Thank you SO MUCH for all of the feedback and ideas and empathy. I feel
like a decade of work has just started over, but I'm going to use a bunch
of these ideas and try to rebuild our program. Hopefully next school year
begins on a lighter and happier note for us all.

Brooke

On Tue, Apr 26, 2022 at 1:35 PM Mitchell Berman via AISLE <
aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:

> Amanda-
>
> I use the slide idea in my library too! I am in a K-5 school and I
> actually got the idea from when I student taught, when my elementary co-op
> librarian used a slide before each lesson. I literally have my slide up
> everytime a class comes, even if I don't use my laptop for the lesson. My
> students know my expectations and for the most part they listen. I have
> some classes here and there that I have to remind them of the expectations,
> but the visuals really help, especially in my school that has a huge EL
> population.
>
>  Library Expectations Slide
> <https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1zu-STsNU5J-bbOe-2JtEtKsb4XS462L9G77bUUslX60/edit?usp=drive_web>
>
>
> On Tue, Apr 26, 2022 at 1:29 PM Mrs. Kuzminski via AISLE <
> aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:
>
>> I hear ya!  You are not alone!  The behavior, apathy, and disrespect are
>> at a level I've never seen before.  Like Todd Freer mentioned in this
>> thread, they are socially and emotionally behind, so my 8th graders are not
>> thinking and acting like 8th graders, and our 6th graders are just now
>> *finally* advancing out of 4th grade mode.   In my district it didn't
>> help that we were using our libraries as alternative socially-distanced
>> lunch locations, so there was that whole screaming, laughing,
>> goofing-around food mess.   Talk about kids not knowing what a library is
>> anymore!!
>>
>> When we were finally able to get the lunch periods out of here in March,
>> I had to start from scratch with library expectations.  I made a new slide
>> that I project when each class comes in and verbally remind them
>> constantly.  It's like library boot camp.  I attached my slide here if
>> anyone would like to personalize it for your building/library.  I do have
>> to say it's getting better, but I'm sure I'll have to start stern
>> (friendly-stern) in August.  They need the structure after two years of
>> loosey-goosey.
>>
>> I've attached a PDF of my slide if you'd like to do something similar.
>> Feel free to use it however you like.
>> Here's what I did with the slide...
>> - Pretty much every rule you can think of falls under one or more of the
>> bullet points
>> - With each class that came in, we discussed what each of the bullet
>> points means to them.  I had them give examples of what it means for the
>> library to a safe space, a shared space, and a happy/comfortable space.
>> (Note: We also discussed "safe space" from the standpoint of feeling safe
>> to read anything we like without judgement or fear.)
>> - I had them give examples of what it means to be respectful of the
>> space, items, and people in the library.
>> - The conversation all came from them (with some prompting from time to
>> time) so everything was in their own words.
>> So now when I start each class with the slide on the screen, I only have
>> to point at it and say, "Welcome to our safe, happy learning and reading
>> space!"
>>
>> I keep telling myself that next year will be better!  I need that dream.
>> LOL!
>>
>> *Amanda Kuzminski*
>> *Library Media Specialist*
>> Orland Junior High School
>> Orland Park, IL
>> 708-364-4214
>>
>>
>> *The single clenched fist lifted and ready, or the open asking hand held
>> out and waiting. Choose: for we meet by one or the other.*
>>
>> *    - Carl Sandburg*
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Apr 26, 2022 at 12:39 PM Brooke Nelson via AISLE <
>> aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi All,
>>>
>>> This is more of a subjective question, but I'm wondering if others are
>>> going through what I am over here. I'm a high school librarian at a school
>>> of just under 1000. Prior to Covid, we were a hopping, joyful place, with
>>> significant use and circulation. After Covid granted everyone Chromebooks,
>>> and then students got used to not using the library, I have had a terrible
>>> time getting kids back in here and getting books into hands. We are no
>>> longer the place to be in the school. We have also had significant (likely
>>> record) behavior issues, insane student apathy, and issues that are a
>>> direct result of the trauma and disorder of the last two years. Is anyone
>>> else dealing with this? If so, how are you addressing it and trying to
>>> climb back into the previous "normalcy," or finding some new way to get
>>> kids back in? This is just making me sad.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Brooke Nelson
>>>
>>> --
>>> Brooke Nelson
>>> Library Media Specialist
>>> East Peoria Community High School
>>> 309.694.8338
>>>
>>> MAILMAN_MIMEDEFANG
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>>
>> MAILMAN_MIMEDEFANG
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>
>
>
> --
> Mitch Berman, MLIS
> Library Media Specialist
> Family Book Club Co-Advisor
> Home Elementary School (Lyons D103)
>
>
> MAILMAN_MIMEDEFANG
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-- 
Brooke Nelson
Library Media Specialist
East Peoria Community High School
309.694.8338
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