Management Matters
School Library Media Activities Monthly/Volume XIX, Number 1/September 2002
New Kid on the Block
by Pat Miller
Pat Miller is a library media specialist at Austin Parkway Elementary in Sugar Land, TX, and the author of Reaching Every Reader (Linworth, 2001). E-mail: pmiller@academicplanet.com
September is the time when many of us are new to a library media center. Perhaps you are fresh from library school or you may be an experienced library media specialist who is starting at a new school. This article can ease your transition as you begin anew. Even if you aren't new this year, you may want to complete these checklists and leave them with your policy manual for the day when someone else will be new in your library media center.
Getting on top of things the first couple of weeks involves knowing the people, places, and things of your job. Before you can meet your first class, order the first book, or plan the first lesson with teachers, you have to get your bearings. You're going to be living outside your comfort zone for a while. Use the following checklists to gain a sense of familiarity.
People
The most important person to know is the school's secretary. She is the one who knows where the keys and supplies are, and what to do when the library media center is too hot, there's a mouse loose, or the phone doesn't work. She knows the best way to approach the principal, which nearby restaurants deliver, and how to complete any form devised by your school district. Befriend her early, and thank her often.
The custodians clean your library media center. They also may help move furniture, set up for special events, or even help you if your car battery dies. Learn their names and never underestimate the value of gratitude, especially in the shape of a chocolate cake. Sending cards on birthdays is a good idea for all of your staff, but particularly for the custodians who often are overlooked.
Your administrators assure that your library media program will be the success you envision. Get to know them and their philosophy of running the school. Are they the kind that like to be involved in library activities, programs, and plans, or do they prefer that you run the show and contact them only when you need help? How do they prefer to be informed, and how often?
There will be many other people you will meet. Until you learn their names, you may want to record them and how they can be reached. (See chart on page 39.)
Spend time the first couple days getting the lay of the campus, and you will feel more at home. You may need assistance to locate the following places:
- teacher mailboxes
- box delivery location
- adult bathrooms
- soft drink and candy machines
- U. S. and district mail drops
- cafeteria and the teacher's line
- supplies storage, if centrally located
- copy machine and policy for use
- sign-in sheet, if applicable
- telephones, fax machine
- water fountains
- die-cut machine
- teacher parking
- supply closet
- teacher's lounge binder
- clinic
- drop for service center materials
The machines may have policies concerning who can use them and when. Be sure to check with the school secretary to see what those policies are.
Things
When I changed schools a year ago, I was amazed at the number of new passwords I needed to choose or know, and the variety of procedures I had to relearn. Check with your secretary and instructional technology specialist if you are unsure of which you need. These are some you may need:
- library automation system
- campus server
- telephone messaging service
- copy machine
- district e-mail
- catalog card vendor
- book vendor (ordering online)
Policies to Know
What exactly is your job? Locate your job description and your aide's if you have one. What are your hours? Check to see if your district has a policy and procedures manual for library media centers, and read it. Find out if there is a district or campus acceptable use policy for your computer. Locate district curriculum guides. What duties do you have relevant to technology in your building?
What happens if you are absent? Get the name and number of the person you are supposed to inform of your absence. Do you arrange for your own substitute, call a central number, or request a substitute from an administrator? What paperwork is involved before and after an absence? If you will have a substitute, make an information folder that includes your schedule, lesson plans for each grade, needed names and numbers, and a map showing the lunchroom, the bathrooms, and the exits.
Check on the procedure for lesson plans. Is there a required form? Does someone check them weekly or monthly? If so, when and where are they turned in?
What are the procedures for fire and disaster drills? Find the fire escape map and be sure it is posted where all can see it.
In addition to your job, you are sure to have other responsibilities. Do you have morning or afternoon duty? On which building committees are you expected to serve? Are you expected to join the parent/teacher organization? Do you have meetings with other library media specialists in the district? Do you meet with your teaching team?
What about a teacher dress code? Is there a school T-shirt, sweater, or other apparel?
What about parking? Are you assigned a space or lot? Are there certain spaces or lots in which you cannot park?
The beginning of the year is traditionally when fees and dues are paid. Check to see which of the following you are expected to pay:
- PTA/PTO dues
- faculty or hospitality fund
- faculty T-shirt
- coffee fund
- soft drink fund
- lunch tickets
- professional organization dues
- district organization dues
It takes time and shared experiences before you will begin to feel at home. However, information can go a long way towards making you comfortable. I wish you the very best as you begin your adventure in the library media center.
| Title | Name | Number or e-mail |
| Principal | ||
| Assistant Principal | ||
| District Library Coordinator | ||
| Library Assistant | ||
| Secretary | ||
| Nurse | ||
| Counselor | ||
| Mentor | ||
| Duplicating Aide | ||
| Campus Technology Specialist | ||
| Parent Volunteer Coordinator | ||
| Library Media Center Volunteers | ||
| Team Mates | ||
| Student Volunteers | ||
| Custodians | ||
| Team Leader | ||
| Substitute Finder |