Re: [LM_NET] RE Librarians Obsolete and Principals

[Paula Yohe <paula_yohe@YAHOO.COM>]

Principals are the key --
  I had two wonderful principals who supported libraries -- and I was able to 
accomplish so much because they supported me and the program. We won all kinds of 
awards, were featured on television programs through the State instructional 
television system, had visitors from other school districts to see what we were 
doing, etc.
   
  I then had a principal who did not think the library was important at all -
  he took my money (he is the utlimate authority) even though the money was 
budgeted for the library -- 
  and he effectively shut down many of the things I had started and I really 
thought were at the school to stay.
  No one complained because they were afraid to -- and I was rather shocked since 
most of my career I had supportive principals. No one in the district office was 
going to do anything -- because he was the principal and he made the decisions at 
the building level... Another shock for me --
   
  An administrator that doesn't see the importance or has bad experiences with 
media specialists can make or break a program.
   
  That's when I made my decision to focus on trying to change principals -- and my 
eyes were really opened when I started hearing some of the stories about media 
specialists -- no wonder some principals have negative feelings about libraries
   
   
  Paula
  

Mark Williams <markwilliams@MAKAW.NET> wrote:
  Bravo, Jean Gustafson! Excellent point. Yes, principals have a lot 
on their plate, but they are also in an almost unique position to 
motivate teachers. Work hard to get them on your side.... and 
always, always keep them informed of what you do. Invite them to 
everything. Send/present/take them frequent reports of library 
programs and events. Be sure to give them credit for any positive 
things they do for the library; and make sure parents, teachers, 
students, and District administration hear it, too.

Mark Williams
Consulting Librarian
Professional Services for Conferences, Districts, Workshops
markwilliams@makaw.net
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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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