Update

We keep getting compliments on the facility. The rooms have been transformed from a disorganized space with lots of outdated books to a space that is organzied and inviting to students, teachers, and parents. I think as far as the room goes we have almost uneartherd all the nooks and crannies of books and stuff. The teaching consultant is still working at uncovering everything in her office that needs to be cataloged, but other than that I think we have gotten almost everything on the shelf. The primary room books have all been scanned and any books that were not in the system have been entered.

We have developed a great system for getting our new books out in a timely fashion. Thanks to an indivdual at the University Library, the books are coming back regularly. We receive anywhere from 50 to 60 new books a week.

I have fallen behind in reading professional journals, but plan to tackle those soon. Most of our selection has been from student and teacher requests.

After the Christmas break I can start focusing on more professional tasks and less clerical tasks. I am looking forward to that. The 3rd grade does an Ocean Unit and I am going to collaborate with them in the labs and in the library. I hope this model of the librarian working along beside the researchers catches on. That is what I was used to in my previous school library.

Overall we have come a long way in the weeks that we have been here. After Christmas the library is supposed to receive 10 laptops and a data projector – that will be fantastic!!!

Facility Stuff

Just finished week six at the library and we had some great things happen this week with the facility. The electrical outlet that needed to be moved was moved and then we were able to move the tall cabinet thing out of the library. By doing this we opened up the space for students to select new books from and gave us some more floor space. We moved the checkout station and got most of the cords under control. The counter space is now very user friendly and attractive.

Week 4

Things are gradually falling into place. The library now has comfortable furniture and the kids love are drawn to it. I have had several positive comments about how the library looks.

This week I had my first meeting with the adminstrative team. I think meeting once a month is very important – gives us an opportunity to discuss library matters. Also it gives them an opportunity to ask questions about the program.

Today I had my first meeting with the middle school team – I shared the library services available to them. I look forward to working with them through research and literature. One teacher suggested me coming once a month to her class and sharing new literature.

Wow, time flies

I have attended my first faculty meeting. I think they are scheduled for the 3rd Monday of the month. Something I have to get used to at a lab school are meeting times. I have one scheduled for 7:00am next week. For a non-morning person like me that will be a stretch.

I have been invited to be involved with technology here at school. I am excited about that invitation. This year Metcalf is offering a tech class for 7th and 8th graders. Right now the curriculum is wide open. Not all students take the class, so coming up with meaningful content will be a challenge, but one the tech team is up to!

Progress is happening here at the library – many problems have been solved and there are several still lurking. But as I have said all along everyone has been sooo helpful. The students are excited about reading – awesome!

The cart of computers have not arrived yet – so I am anxiously awaiting their arrival.

Some major tasks are getting all of the 16 shelves of non-covered books finished so they can circulate. Also there are 2 carts full of paperback books that are not online and need a temporay bib made for them. Those are 2 big tasks that are out in front of us. We do have an ISU student helping us 3 hours a week. Thanks to the administration team!

Wednesday are pretty crazy around here – there are 7th classes scheduled for fixed library time.

Today a first happened – a 5th grade teacher signed up for a research project. I was so excited.

Students in the building

What pleasant noises today – I was glad to hear the voices of students in the building today. As I said before the library is off the beaten path, so having some noise was great.

The teaching consultant and I finalized the schedule today. There might be some classes in tomorrow. We also decided on dividing the tasks. I will focus on information literacy, reserach, and reader’s advisory for 5-8. The teaching consultant will focus on thematic units and incorporating literature into the curriculum. We will both be flexible and knowledgable about the other ’s role so we can flex back and forth.

Diagnosed that the wireless node in the library is not working. We figured out the best way for us to arrange the library patrons cards. Called Citizen about the receipt printer. Need some information about Voyager and then we can proceed with it.

 I am looking forward to meeting with the middle school teachers to discuss the library program. I want to schedule that soon!

Short Day

I only worked 2 1/2 hours today. I moved a computer and printer into the small computer configuration. Then covered book jackets. The teaching consultant that shares the library with me started back to work. We had a quick conversation and plan to officially meet and discuss roles and responsibilities. A teaching consultant position is a new experience for me. The description for this job is similiar to a librarian but focuses on the literary component not the research component.

Moved my daughter to college today. She was so excited to be going back to school! Tomorrow is the new faculty orientation – so I won’t get too much done in the library.

Exhausted

Okay, I am back from supper and errands. Yesterday I shifted books again. I put the reference under Dee’s window and then followed with the non-fiction. I just thought the shelves were to full. After I finished shifting I went to the ISU warehouse with Amy C, principal, she thought I might be interested in some chairs and tables for the library. I didn’t take any of the chairs; she got 13 chairs and 9 rounds tables. It was like a huge garage sale, except no charge. I did get a chair mat, so I was thrilled.After lunch I disassembled the computer mess and started testing the computers. I emptied out more file cabinets. I found bookmarks from the 1980’s. So I took them downstairs to the teacher share a table – I also took a box of check out cards and a box of cutout magazines.  Today I started rearranging the computers. I took down all the lovely yellow Ethernet cables. I put the computers by the windows, coming out into the room. I cleared two shelves and put the computer tables against them. I got 4 of the 6 computers to work. Wow! I moved the award books to the appropriate rooms. I moved all the professional books and videos into the small green room with all the shelves and cabinets. I cleaned out the other small storage room and found multiple power outlets – so I put a computer station in there for recording purposes. Lucinda M. stopped by today to look at those books. I forgot to tell her that we discarded them. I told her I would be looking out for titles for that project. She walked into the green room and wanted to know if this was the room with all the picture books – I said this was the room with non-fiction and fiction. Then I started to share how the majority of non-fiction books were for lower and middle elementary. She couldn’t believe the volume of books. I moved 3 file cabinets, one shelving unit, and typewriter, several odd shelves, vcr and an old printer out into the hallway. I am exhausted and sore. My plan for Monday is to start ordering some things. Dee is supposed to be back. I am going to talk to her about the Pepto room and if she wants to shift books and get rid of the shelves in the middle of the room. I am thrilled with all the progress. Hope we can lunch sometime next week.