School Library Dilemmas

February 11-12th (School Library):

This work week started on a Tuesday on account of the school holiday on Feb. 10th.  For some reason, we've had several new 7th grade students transfer to the school this week - which meant checking out stacks of textbooks for each students per their class schedule.  Here I was proud of myself that I had written out all four objectives for my paid position this semester - only to quickly realize that finding time to accomplish these objectives will be difficult as we get close to the end of school year.  The first reason behind this has to do with teacher rush to get in class novel assignments and textbooks checked in before mid May.  The second has to do with not having full dialogue with the certified teacher librarian on site. 

On the up side, I have been able to spend considerable time repairing damaged fiction books while relabeling with new call number and genre stickers.  I've noticed over the last few weeks that the new genre labels have coincided with an increase in student checkouts of fiction books, particularly the graphic novels and new paperbacks.  Re-wrapping the book covers is also boosting the overall look of the collection.  Sadly, the school does not have the funds to keep a fresh supply of new paperbacks in the collection every year.  However, I spent a little time at the Scholastic Books warehouse in Natomas in December to pick up a few new paperbacks here and there.  The library has also benefited from special donations of books from the PTSO. 

I have had a request from a history teacher to make 30 copies of Copper Sun by Sharon Draper available to students for a class reading assignment.   Again perhaps the PTSO may be able to help.  Last year I was bombarded by 8th graders desperate for a copy of the book because all the local public library branches were out - if I'd had a little more heads up I might have been able to scrounge a few more copies from used book sales.  Working in a school library, particularly at a middle or high school, requires being in tune with the curriculum in the classroom.  If you're not constantly networking/corresponding with the teachers, you're not doing your job.  This year I'm trying to see if we can avoid last year's inconveniences.

I'm thinking that the assignment of Copper Sun may be in line with Common Core Standards adopted by California schools this spring.  I found this related article interesting http://www.slj.com/2014/02/standards/common-core/librarians-on-the-common-core-cautious-optimism/.  I think that Common Core will be good overall for the school librarian profession as there will be greater need for students to develop critical research skills and Internet literacy outside the classroom.  I attended a common core workshop on Jack London literature back in October 2013.  Although there will be greater emphasis on non-fiction material in language arts studies, there's thankfully still a place for historical fiction novels in the curriculum.  As a trained historian, I take comfort in this.

Again as a library tech, my rights to edit item notes, address fines, or weed items in the Destiny system is very limited or nonexistent.  Only the certified librarians have full access to all of the cataloging and inventory features in the online catalog.  This is somewhat frustrating but I continue to think of ways to be creative with the resources that I have.  I'm expected to perform most of the same tasks as the school librarian during the days I'm working at the school.