[LM_NET] ELEM: LMC & Computer Lab Input Needed

[Jennifer Jackson <lib_spec@BELLSOUTH.NET>]

This is my first post to LM_NET although I have been lurking for about a month.  
I've gotten a lot of great information here and I see a lot of great minds at work 
on this list.  I have a situation at my school, which is a PK-5 school, that I'd 
like to see changed.

First off, this is my second year as the LMS.  The previous LMS kept the library 
doors locked and prevented teachers and students from visiting the LMS at any time 
other than the scheduled class time.  My first year was spent in organization and 
demonstrating to the teachers and students the different services I offered as the 
LMS.  It was a success in that the students now beg to come to the library.  For my 
second year, I want to tackle the topic of joining the activities done in the LMC 
to the computer lab.

Up to this point, the computer lab has generally been used as a teacher planning 
period filler with no real direction.  It's run by a full time paraprofessional, so 
there's not even a certified teacher in the room.  What I would like to do, and 
please tell me if I'm totally off base, is to discuss with the principal the 
following ideas:

1.  Make the computer lab paraprofessional the "library assistant", in order for me 
to be able to supervise her, but not change her duties
2.  Weekly, plan with the paraprofessional so that she knows what the students will 
need to be doing when they come to the computer lab

What I want to do is teach the information literacy skills within the setting of 
the library and have them actually doing their assignments in the computer lab.    
Since I'm on a fixed schedule, this is the only way I can think of to get the 
students actually involved with the skills and learning them through meaningful 
projects.  Is there anyone who has a similar situation or anyone that can provide 
some input?

Thanks in advance!

Jennifer Jackson
Library Media Specialist
A.B. Hill Elementary
Memphis, TN
lib_spec@bellsouth.net

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