Re: [LM_NET] School Librarians

[Paula Yohe <paula_yohe@YAHOO.COM>]

Good for you -- I think what you are missing is the big picture.
  I myself have been Teacher of the Year - I had teachers help to volunteer to run 
the library when I lost an aide due to budget cuts --
  yet I am still saying to you that the vast majority do not have any idea what a 
librarian does...
  I have spent my entire life -- beginning in grade 5 as a library worker -- my 
part-time job was in the public library, my college job was in cataloging - I have 
spent several years at high school and then 23 as a jr. high media specialist.
  I am not the director of technology for the district as well as a certified K-12 
administrator.
   
  I have traveled across the country doing presentations at conferences.
   
  WhenI tell you the majority have no idea -- what media specialists do -
  Unfortunately I now what I am talking about.
   
  The reason I have become so vocal about these issues is that I am nearing the end 
of my career. 
  As I go to meeting for technology directors, state level meetings, administrator 
meetings, etc.
  Media specialists are one of the last things any of these groups worry about 
  8 out of 10 times -- media specialists are considered a problem or roadblock --
   
  Do I wish this wasn't the case?
  You bet -
  I advocate for media specialists at every opportunity I can --
   
  and it becomes frustrating and embarassing hearing some of the things my fellow 
media specialists have done in schools.
   
  Those who are doing a good job -- need to speak up!
   
  I could go on and on -- but I am supposed to be on vacation -- and darn this 
topic gets more blood pressure going.
   
  Paula'

sottovoce7@AOL.COM wrote:
  I have to come down strongly on the side of those that say "sorry, not obsolete 
by a longshot!" I read this list every day and I am amazed at the situations 
librarians seem to find themselves in. How about instead of worrying about Bill 
Gates and national studies and our changing job descriptions we try concentrating 
on the job at hand and the difference we can make in children's lives? How about 
using what talents we are given to effectively teach no matter what the situation? 
As far as "90% of your staff having no idea what you do," I PROMISE you 100% of my 
staff know what I do because I do it WITH them. ALL of them in some way, shape, or 
form during the year. That's my job, or a big part of it. My Principal knows what I 
do not because I tell her, but because my colleagues tell her. 
I was just elected TEACHER ( not librarian :)) of the year at my school and was 
then honored by being recognized as one of the five elementary "STAR" TEACHERS in 
our district. Why? Because I don't listen to those that say it can't be done. 
Instead I figure out a way to do it. I view myself as a educator first. Too many 
librarians I talk to are afraid to try something different or go outside of the box 
with instruction. My feeling is that in the elementary school library we are 
educators who work out of the library. Of course we all perform library functions 
but the potential is there for so much more! Every child in the building comes 
through my doors and I try to provide for them a fun and exciting place to learn. 
We don't learn just about books, but we also expand on what is going on in the 
classroom. We are an extension of the classroom. We use technology when appropriate 
and not just because it is there. We reward good behavior and encourage self 
discipline and self
 reli!
ance. We enjoy learning. Period. The entire building is my classroom and the staff 
is my team. If this teacher of the year is about to become obsolete, then heaven 
help ALL teachers everywhere!


Doug Valentine
Skyview Elementary School
9229 Meadowknoll Drive
Dallas, Texas 75243



-----Original Message-----
From: paula_yohe@YAHOO.COM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Sent: Tue, 10 Apr 2007 9:34 AM
Subject: Re: [LM_NET] School Librarians


I suggest that you take an overall look t what is going on --
You know that you provide a valuable service -- is fine -- but I would say 
that 90% of your staff has no idea what you do -- and really doesn't much care.

That is the problem -- so many librarians have put their heads in the sand -- 
and not see the big picture of what is going on

Again -- go to the Bill Gates School of the Future -- 
read the research -- there was just an article on folks who use bookmarking --
Look at some of the textboooks for folks working on getting a degree in 
administration and see that libraries are rarely mentioned 

You must look at the overall status of the profession =-
Paula


adedagbo ngozi wrote:
I am frankly appalled that some of you (school librarians) would even think 
that you could become obsolete. What do you do all day?? I know that I provide a 
valuable service to our students, teachers and staff. Many do not have a clue 
about the information superhighway and the vast amount of information and 
resources available to them. 

A. Chika Ngozi, Library Media Specialist 
Heilmann Elementary School 
15510 E. State Fair St. 
Detroit, MI 48205 
313.642.4854 ext. 130 
Email: adedagbo.ngozi@detroitk12.org 


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Paula Yohe
Director Of Technology/Library Media Center
Dillon School District Two
405 West Washington Street
Dillon, SC 29536
Phone: 843-841-3604 Fax:843-774-1214
paula_yohe@yahoo.com

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Paula Yohe
Director Of Technology/Library Media Center
Dillon School District Two
405 West Washington Street
Dillon, SC 29536
Phone: 843-841-3604 Fax:843-774-1214
paula_yohe@yahoo.com
       
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