Last Lesson...

Last Lesson...

This is my last day with my clinical supervising librarian and I am teaching one last time.  I decided to help some of the Social Studies teachers who had came to the librarian earlier in the week for help with research papers they were beginning to write.  Some questions came to mind as to what I could do with these students to help prepare them for research papers and to meet them where their teachers had left off.  I wanted to make sure that this experience was not for them to just complete a task, but to learn and grow more than they thought they could.

The teachers had already explained what the assignment was and each child had a particular even to research.  I was able ahead of time to lay out materials for easy access for the students and let them know where I had pulled these references from.  Since alot of the material was reference material, it could not be checked out from the library, only used while in the library.  I soon found that many students need the same books, so we were able to group the students with their rightful group.  I definitly learned that classroom management was a key factor in helping so many students work in an area using the same books and trying to read and take notes.  

After the class had dismissed back to their classroom, I reflected on how well this lesson worked and what I would change about the lesson, the next time I used it.  I felt that the students were engaged in their assignment, which is a plus.  I did feel that more material would have been better for them.  So, in the future I think that I would set this research up in a computer lab that had tables in the middle.  This way students could be researching on the computer as well through the reference material that was brought from the library.  

Back to the niddy griddy...

Back to the niddy griddy...

After being at other schools and seeing how all these different libraries were set up and ran by the librarian, I had to ask  myself which one I thought ran the smoothest, because one day I hope to have my own and it takes practice and advice from others to get it working the best way.  Also, I had to ask myself if I was up for the challenge of the many tasks that librarians are responsible for.

From all of my experiences with the different libraries, I have to say that my clinical experience library had the best of what I was looking for.  It had flow, organization, and most importantly, she shared her passion of knowledge with everyone.  She showed me her day-to-day routines, which at the beginning of the school year are massive.  She is responsible not only for the books in the library, but all books in the school; textbooks, teachers copies, and reference material.  She is also responsible for keeping up-to-date records of who has what checked out and when things are due back.  She also keeps up with what equipment each staff member has and library numbers for students.  

Many other tasks were hers, and she knew them by heart.  One of them that I found the hardest to keep up with was the logs and records she has to keep for books she has bought and the records she has to keep for students who move or are sent to the alternative school.  She definitely wears many hats, but really showed me how to manage it gracefully and in an organized manner.  I think that if I were in her shoes I would need check-lists to keep me organized.  She also has great help with the librarian assistant.  

A Different School Library...

A Different School Library...

As part of this practicum, we have to see many different library settings and this was of great interest to me.  What would I see that would be different or similar?  Would they have similar goals from my previous library experience?  I was anxious to see.

One of my other library experiences was in a different county.  I have always thought all libraries function and operate similarly, but not in this case.  This library was set up completely different and a new librarian had just started.  I learned real quick how much is asked of the librarian even if there is no experience.

This library is a 5-12 library and is divided up so many different groups of students are in and out all day from several different grades.  One thing that caught my attention was that the library did not have shelf markers and the memorization of library numbers was not enforced.  In my previous library experience, I had taken note how important these were and how much it helped the library function as a whole.  By my next visit, these were in place and my response to this seemed to help this library.  In the end, this was a great experience and I learned a lot about of how a librarian is expected to govern many different groups of students.

A Day to Teach...

A Day to Teach...

Well, I am up front and all ready teaching in the library.  The librarian here is not responsible to teach lessons weekly, but is mainly responsible for the checking out of books and keeping track of equipment.  So my thoughts went to...what will I teach if she doesn't regularly teach?  And what could I do to help these students in some way?

This particular class and time of year, introductions to the library and it's rules seemed to be the most fitting.  I decided to explain the rules of the library and what was expected of them when they came into the library.  This group was a 5th grade group and were new to the library.  It was a fun experience to direct them to the many options that are available to them.  This was a completely new experience to them, with much more access than they were use to in their elementary schools.  

After I spoke with them about the rules and regulations, of what is expected, I showed them some of the new books that I was able to help get ready for shelving.  I loved being able to share what these books were about and I loved seeing how excited they were about getting these brand new books.  One rule that I loved that the teachers enforced was the learning of their library numbers.  It sure makes checking-out so much easier and helps the librarian assistant as she checks-in and checks-out. 

My First Day...

My First Day...

This being my first day, I was a little nervous about what to expect and what I would experience in the library.  More importantly, would I be able to see and learn all that I needed to.   Would I be able to stand up to the task?  Would I be able to do what this wonderful librarian was showing me one day?  So it began...

I started off with learning the process of putting away new books that had been ordered over the summer.  The librarian takes into special account books that she knows her students will be interested in.  She takes pride in having the newest and most note-worthy books available.  

What I was able to learn was how she ordered the books from the Junior Library Guild.  This site allows the librarians to choose whether they want to have the books pre-labeled or not.  Most of the time, the librarian informed me that she has the books pre-labeled or have the labels sent and the librarian assistant does this in the back office.  I was able to help laminate the book covers and help put labels on the books for the day.  This was accompained with helping students check-out books and search for books.