[aisle] Did Covid Ruin Your Library Vibe?

Tue Apr 26 14:07:33 CDT 2022

Brooke, you are not alone! I hope you are relieved and energized by all the
comments above!

I'm in an elementary school, but the main issues - behavior and emotional
maturity - are the same. Participation in programs
has been relatively 'normal' for us, but that's because the teachers make
it happen. Our kids do everything by class rather than
on their own.

When I read your question it came to me that what I need is some
self-evaluation and planning for next year.
What were our popular programs in 'the Before Times', and what (if
anything) was popular this year? Do we need a
paradigm shift with how we present, how we are physically arranged, or in
our collection? If electronic reading is popular,
is that a bad thing? I know I'm opening a can of worms here, but I think
electronic reading is fine. Just as we are, our
students are developing new habits that hopefully improve their lives.

I firmly believe that we will never go back to the good old days before the
pandemic, and our library use and programming
has to reflect our new reality. We can embrace it or push against it. Not
only is embracing it a lot easier, but it's going to happen
whether we are on board or not.

So that's how I'm spending my summer - evaluating everything we do in the
Media Center, and devising new plans - under an
umbrella at the pool, of course!

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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Christine Wilson, MLIS, Media Assistant
Avon Center School
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