[LM_NET] response from Roberta Ferris re shelving -

[Mike Eisenberg <mbe@U.WASHINGTON.EDU>]

This is posted with her permission - my response follows.

 

________________________________

From: Roberta Ferris [mailto:roberta.librarygoddess@gmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2007 2:49 PM
To: Mike Eisenberg
Subject: Re: Re School Librarians Obsolete (long)

 

I'm sorry I do not know what happened.  I don't like sending emails
without editing them.  I will just continue my thought here-- If the
place is a mess I will not be able to find anything and I can't afford
the time to go looking for that book that a teacher wants RIGHT NOW. If
the shelves are a mess the students will just keep them a mess.  My
students know how important it is to me to keep things in Dewey order.
I like to shelve books.  I do it early in the morning when there isn't
anyone around.  I feel I am "tending " to my room.  Yes, I am one of
those who comes in 2 hours earlier than I have to because otherwise I
cannot get anything done.  I teach information literacy skills and the
love of reading all day long.  SO please do not support leaving the
shelves and not putting the books away. 

Roberta Ferris

Librarian

Gardnertown Fundalmental Magnet School

Newburgh, NY.  

 

 

Roberta - 

 

I do no quarrel with shelving itself, but I do have a problem with those
who say that they are unable to do other things because they must do
this.  Rather, we MUST focus on the most essential items - and teaching
information skills and advocating reading are essential.  Yes, I know -
it's hard to teach and promote if the books aren't in order on the
shelves.  BUT - if one has to choose, teach first; shelve second.  Or -
better yet, find another way to get the shelves in order.  I'll give a
few example - I'm sure others can give others - 

 

-          have each class in the school "adopt" a section of shelves.
That class is responsible for reshelving and keeping those shelves in
good order.

 

Also, many complain that their non-fiction collections are hopelessly
out of date.  If so, just forget them!  Stop putting back older,
inappropriate materials - even if that's all you've got!

 

School library & information programs must focus on the "big bang,"
impact functions first and foremost.

 

Mike


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