In my original Target post, I requested ideas for a new librarian at
the high school level. I got some great responses and SEVERAL
requests for a HIT. Here is the original request and below that is
the compilation of responses. As always, thanks to all who responded
for such wonderful ideas, insights, and timely responses.
>>>> "Ronda Y. Foust" <rfoust150@COMCAST.NET> 07/18/07 8:59 AM >>>
>>>>
> I've prowled through the archives a little, but am curious as to
> whether any of you have any ideas to share with a new librarian at
> the high school level. I'll be meeting with my new principal this
> week to talk about long-term goals and would love to be armed with
> some great ideas for things you've tried (and that worked-or didn't
> and why) for collection development, encouraging students and
> teachers to make more and/or different use of the library, pitfalls
> to avoid, etc. I loved the recent post about a genealogy lesson and
> am looking into the feasibility of using wikis and blogs (my
> understanding is that our filters don't allow them but that sometimes
> you can get the powers that be to open access to certain sites). I'm
> thinking that it'd be great to see if there's interest in a student
> book club or teacher book club, student reviews of books, and things
> of that nature and have been thinking about ideas for book displays--
> like the "Seen the Movie, REad the Book!" with a board/blog/wiki for
> students to comment on what they think of the two. Of course, I
> don't have a clue what will "fly" and what will flop, but I guess
> that's part of the excitement and I'd love to hear about other ideas
> from the collective wisdom. I'll be happy to post a hit.
______
Follett is the official distributor of playaways. You'd impress him
with those. Also, podcasting is becoming hot right now. We're going
to do some this year with students who have read books, and we'll put
those on the library's website for free download. We host a club
called Read-N- Feed, which is our student book discussion group. We
all read the same book, then meet once a month to discuss that
month's book while we eat lunch. We provide Oreos (a tradition) and
drinks. Occasionally, we'll spring for pizza. The faculty has its
own group, but it takes turn meeting at homes.
We do a LOT of research in this library, so we provide lots of
databases. We purchase award winning adult fiction as well as YA
fiction along with some lower levels for the spec ed kids.
With playaways, one of the neat things is that you can slow down the
narration for the reading challenged. You can also hook them up to
computer speakers and broadcast the novel to the entire class as they
read along. These are proving popular with our students to help them
get through the classics.
_____________________________________
I'd definitely work on the bookclub idea---most high school students
enjoy this. I've done it with a "Freshman Only" program and it was
interesting to see how many upper classmen felt that they hadn't had
the opportunity to have a "club" too. The next year, I opened only
one other section (sophomores)....since we also had a "One Book, One
School" program that the other students participated in each year.
I worked on a Freshman Study Skills program that introduced students
to ways to search online, how to cite information, etc. This was an
"extra" program added to their schedule for a two month period at the
beginning of the year. I believe it helped to get them started on the
research projects that were immediately introduced following their
Study Skills program---so you might want to consider working
something into a schedule, if you can. If not, you might want to
consider asking for time next year to add this component to a class.
I offered students the opportunity to suggest books (and then be the
first to check them out once they arrived). I did a "favorite book"
blog...and used book covers with reviews written about the book as a
screensaver (you have to import a PowerPoint into your screensaver
settings to do this and run it as a kioske presentation.)
Aside from wikis and blogs, you might want to consider introducing
the new iSkills (formerly known as the ICT test) testing program that
will become available soon. This will test students on their ability
to use critical thinking skills as they also implement technology into
solving problems. Right now the project is an "optional" test...but
I think higher education / colleges are looking into making it a
mandatory program because of the lack of skills that many freshmen
have when they arrive at college. The iSkills test is available here:
http://tinyurl.com/ekk46
Also, you might want to "pre-test" your students in regards to
Information Literacy skills by using the TRAILS test available from
Kent University. It may help you to determine what you need to teach
throughout the year and what things the students already know. To
access the site, go to: http://www.library.kent.edu/page/11387
__________________________________________
Last year I moved from an early childhood school to high school. It
wasn't as huge a jump as I thought it would be. The main thing I did
was work to get to know the students, the teachers, and the subjects
being taught. You have to go through the year and see what kinds of
major projects are being done and try to make sure you have the
resources.
I think if you just remember what you know is good librarian practice
in collection development and service, you will see what the needs
are. Long-term goals are a good idea, and it's great for the
principal to help with this. But don't forget to give yourself credit
for seeing a simple need and filling it, such as moving all the
graphic novels to a display shelf up front.
One thing I had to deal with, and I don't want to sound negative, but
you have to set boundaries. I think the previous librarian in my
position left because she was dumped on. Teachers were bringing in
classes without a lesson plan, turning them loose in the computer
lab, taking a seat as far away from the students as possible, putting
up their feet and reading the paper. In other words, they considered
the library a babysitting service that gave them a free period. They
also saddled her with being in charge of the senior prom, chairing a
school improvement committee, and several other jobs nobody else wanted.
I kind of intuited all this and tried to say no firmly but tactfully.
I actually did quite a bit of work on the school improvement stuff
because I like to write, but I just kept smiling and saying, "you
don't want me in charge of your prom, trust me" and co-sponsored a
quieter organization, the Beta Club. I kept asking for lesson plans
in advance so I could gather resources. If the teacher holed up in
the corner or left the library, I would go get him/her and say a
student needed them.
Another "negative" is you have to keep students from doing
inappropriate things on the computers. Sometimes it seemed like
that's all I did! In the middle of the year they put "Vision" on my
computer, and when I caught a few people on myspace (and one googling
'gay sex' ) it got better as the word spread. But it does take a lot
of supervision.
I discovered that keeping a "bookstore" was a valuable service that
brought people into the library to meet me and see my displays. I
sold pencils, paper, index cards, poster board, etc. Some librarians
don't like to mess with this, because it means making school supply
runs a couple of times a month. But many students didn't have
transportation to Wal-Mart, and I think it's worth it. I'm thinking
about selling some small flash drives next year.
Another thing I didn't have the opportunity to do in elementary was
play with databases. I signed up for several free trials, such as
Grolier Online and Rosen Teen Wellness, then worked them in when I
had classes in the lab. I will probably buy Teen Wellness this year.
We used TEL a lot, and since nettrekker is free in Tennessee now, we
used that too. Nettrekker is really good for special ed and diverse
classes because you can get information on different levels. I began
to use wikipedia with ESL students because it comes in Spanish and
several other languages, although I tried to teach its limitations.
I helped fill out a lot of FAFSAs, proofread English papers, and
launched Resume Wizards, but I wouldn't allow online shopping or ANY
downloads. Oh yes. You have to set rules for individual students
coming to the library, or they will abuse the privilege. You want to
discourage those who are lurking to get out of class and the
"internet recess" which can get you, the student, and the hard drive
into a lot of trouble. I made a reproducible library pass that had to
state the student's assignment and the approximate time they were
expected back. If it just said "computer" I sent them back.
In short, just be open to needs, be friendly and flexible, and be
ready to be a valuable part of the team, but don't be a doormat. High
school is fun, with a little something for everyone. Best of luck.
Ronda Y. Foust
School Media Specialist
Karns High School
Knoxville, TN
readingdragon@comcast.net
http://thebookdragon.blogspot.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
* LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home