Frustrated School Librarian

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Frustrated School Librarian

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1veronicam
Mrz. 8, 2017, 1:32 pm

I am a middle school librarian but since our building is under construction I am a in the High School this year but teach 6 full classes of Journalism and Yearbook, plus my library duties. I am the only librarian for the whole district also so i have to order for all 7 schools.

Last year the principal decided I didn't have enough to do since students were not in the library every minute of my day so he decided to give me 6 full classes of students this year.
It has been a disaster! I am doing a half way job of being a librarian and teacher.
I have a different principal now and I am looking to pitch my "please let me go back to being a librarian" speel. Any advice would help so much.

2bernsad
Mrz. 8, 2017, 6:37 pm

The word should be spelled with an "i" i.e. spiel.

3Hope_H
Mrz. 8, 2017, 10:20 pm

Sadly, a lot of school librarians are finding themselves in similar circumstances. I know that when I retire (most likely next year) my district will have the one remaining librarian cover all four buildings with the help of a few associates. It really makes me ill to think about it.

Having a supportive principal may help you. I think my full-time status at my middle school has been because he is supportive of my program.

I have a brochure from 2013 that had been posted on an AASL forum. You might try looking around on the AASL pages for ideas and information.

In going back through my emails from a state library listserv, I also found an article about three districts leveraging their librarians' time. If you are interested, I can get you copies of both of those.

Would discussing future plans - how you would like to work with teachers, plans for makerspaces, integration with technology - help your case? Since literacy is a huge focus in our schools, how could you advocate for literacy if you were full time in the library? What about teaching your principal what your job entails? A lot of administrators don't have a clue what we should be doing - and we have to teach them just like we teach kids.

4veronicam
Mrz. 9, 2017, 10:50 am

Thank you those are good ideas

Please send me whatever info you have

Veronicamorris2004@gmail.com

5Hope_H
Mrz. 12, 2017, 10:17 pm

Hi Veronica!

I just sent you a lengthy e-mail. I found several things you might be able to use. Hope it helps!

6SLeeD
Feb. 13, 2018, 9:37 am

I completely understand. I am one of two licensed librarians in my district. One is in the high school. I cover 3 middle schools and oversee the 10 school elementary program as well. There are aides in place in each building, but with the 28 hour rule, sometimes the library is closed.
Most people don't really understand my job, thinking the aide is the librarian and wonder what I'm doing if kids aren't in the room. Well, I'm ordering materials, emailing back and forth with elementary aide new hires, planning library lessons and getting ideas and materials for displays and programs.
It's very frustrating, but I'm not sure what help I can offer. I agree with the other poster about using STEM and other literacy/learning avenues to help your principal see the value in what you do.