[LM_NET] Hit: Subs in the Library -- Part III -- The Ugly (2)

[Dorothy Tissair <dtissair@SNET.NET>]

  ”I've been following this with interest as I'm back to needing a sub when I am 
absent.  I also see things from the sub point of view, having subbed for several 
years before getting a full time job.   
  For the last few years I had a second aide who could keep running circ when I was 
gone, but now with 1 LMS and 1 aide for 2 LMC's, we have to have a sub if either of 
us is gone.
   
  In a small rural district such as ours, we pretty much have to take whatever sub 
is available.  That means that it is very difficult to train anyone on circ.  And 
since neither of us are gone very often even a trained sub is likely to forget.  
When I know I'll be gone I've been rescheduling my elementary classes.  
   
  Yet I really feel rather resentful that I'm being forced to give up my time in 
the other library with middle & high school students in order to reschedule these 
classes.  
   
  I know that in 2 weeks I'll be gone for 2 days for a conference and it will be 
nearly impossible to reschedule everyone.  So, I think I'll be mean and make the 
district hire a sub teacher (as opposed to a cheaper sub. aide when there are no 
classes taught).  The question remains--what about circ?  I know the sub will not 
know how to run the circ. program.  I can leave very detailed instructions, but I 
know that my usual mad rush of checking out 60 books to 20 children in 5 minutes or 
less while answering questions will not work for a sub.
   
  At present I think I will have a lesson plan for each class that will fill the 
entire class time (30 min).  For some classes this will probably be a video about 
an author or about Caldecott books etc.  Then I will have the class return on a day 
when I or my regular aide are in that library for a quick 10 minute book exchange.  
The usual drop-in students will be able to check out as that would be manageable 
for a sub, either using circ or writing everything down.
   
  We have already begun requiring any sub to check in books a second time before 
shelving them because every sub we've had has missed some books in checking in.  I 
think I will require them to verify each checkout by checking the student's record 
to see that the book is checked out to the proper student.
   
  Are there any additional suggestions for making the day run smoothly for the sub 
and minimizing any potential problems?  I do provide very detailed directions for 
using the circ. program and for shelving books.  I also provide very detailed and 
explict lesson plans.  Why do we come to school when we're sick?  Because it is too 
much work to stay home!!  You spend hours getting ready for a sub. and then hours 
cleaning up any errors.”
   
   

“You are assuming that it is our choice to keep the library open or close it.  
Librarians are not necessarily the ones that make those decisions.”

 

 

 
   



    Dorothy Tissair, M.S., M.L.S.
  "Who are you today, Ms T?" "Yes!"
  Substitute Teacher
  Connecticut's Valley Shore Region
  dtissair@snet.net
   



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