[aisle] Did Covid Ruin Your Library Vibe?

Tue Apr 26 13:52:55 CDT 2022

I’m a pre-K to 8 librarian, and my middle schoolers just don’t want to
engage.

You are not alone.

On Tue, Apr 26, 2022 at 1:50 PM Brooke Nelson via AISLE <
aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:

> 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
>
> MAILMAN_MIMEDEFANG
> _______________________________________________
> AISLE mailing list
> AISLE at list.railslibraries.info
>
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-- 
Sincerely,

Laura Bollin Davis

773.860.8322

bollin.laura1 at gmail.com
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