Essentials of Elementary School Library Management / Edition 1

by Laurie Thelen

Overview

The library media specialist's job is a complicated one, and whether you're a novice or have years of experience, here's the one handbook you need. Created with the practitioner in mind, you'll find useful advice and information you can start using today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781586830762
Publisher:	Linworth Publishing, Incorporated
Publication date:	09/30/2003
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	7.80(w) x 10.40(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Laurie Noble Thelen is a library media specialist at Deep Wood Elementary School in Round Rock, TX.

Table of Contents

	Table of Figures	vii
	Introduction	ix
Chapter 1	Planning a New Library Media Center	1
	Participation in Building Committee Plans	1
	Background Research	1
	School Floor Plan: Library Media Center Checklist	2
	The Library Media Center Space	2
	Main Floor Space: Interior Design	2
	Shelving Plan	3
	Activity Areas	3
	Supervision	3
	Auxiliary Space	3
	The Workroom	3
	The Storage Room	4
	Other Spaces	4
	Conference Room/Area	4
	Professional Reading Room/Area	4
	Closed-Circuit Television Broadcast Room/Area	4
	Computers and Servers	5
	Groundbreaking and Construction Phase	5
	Furnishings	5
	Collection Development	6
	Selection Tools	8
	Special Language Collections	8
	The Professional Collection	9
	Audiovisual Materials	10
	Audiovisual Equipment	10
	Library Supplies	11
	Before and After School Opening	12
	School Opening	12
	Student and Faculty Orientations	12
	Scheduling	12
	Responding to Feedback	13
	Things That Go Wrong and How to Cope	14
Chapter 2	Starting Over: The Library Media Specialist in a New School District	15
	Finding a Mentor	15
	The Function and Design of the Library Media Center	16
	A Multipurpose Space	16
	Flow of People	16
	The Interior Design	16
	The Office	17
	Weeding	17
	Shelved Materials	18
	Audiovisuals	18
	Evaluating Previous Library Service	19
	Library Advisory Committee	19
	Forming the Committee	19
	The Committee Meeting Process	20
	Inherited Programs from Your Predecessor	21
	Introducing Yourself	22
	To Staff	22
	To Students	22
	To Parents	24
	To the Parent Teacher Association	24
	Becoming Indispensable	24
	"Mistake" Is My Middle Name	24
Chapter 3	Time Management and the Library Media Center	27
	Symptoms of the Time Management-Challenged	27
	What Is the Problem?	27
	The Reluctant Time Manager	28
	What Is the Solution?	29
Step 1	Plan	29
Step 2	Define Your Work Style	29
Step 3	Clear Out the Minutiae	29
Step 4	Know the Library Media Center	30
Step 5	Find Help	30
Step 6	Publicize the Media Center	31
Step 7	Avoid Professional and Personal Isolation	32
Chapter 4	Budget Secrets	33
	Organization of Accounts: Paper and Computer	34
	Paper Copy	34
	Solving the Spreadsheet Mystery	34
	Making Do with Less	36
	Materials: Books and Audiovisuals	37
	Supplies	39
	A Final Note	39
Chapter 5	Grant My Wish	41
	The Key to Grant Writing Success	41
	Organization Identity	41
	Where to Find Grants	41
	Choosing the Right Grant	42
	Writing a Letter of Inquiry	43
	Writing a Winning Proposal	43
	Basic Tips	43
	The Parts of a Proposal	44
	A Final Checklist	44
	The Waiting	45
Chapter 6	Programs to Motivate a Student to Read	47
	The Goal	47
	Supervision	47
	Rewards	48
	Reading Motivation Programs	48
	Connecting with the Public Library	49
	Adapting Sports	49
	Using the School Mascot	53
	Programs with Special Interest	54
	One-Night Events	57
Chapter 7	The Library Media Specialist as Collaborator and Reading Advocate	59
	The Curriculum Collaborator Role	59
	What Is Collaboration?	60
	How to Start the Process	60
	A Sample Collaboration Unit	61
	The Reading Advocate Role	63
Chapter 8	Encouraging Staff to Use New Technology	65
	What Is Technology?	66
	Why Use Technology?	67
	For the Students	67
	For the National Standards	67
	For Professional and Personal Enrichment	67
	How to Use Technology: Valued Training	68
	The Principal: The First Point of Contact	68
	Training the Staff	68
	When to Use Technology	69
	Making It Real	69
	Conducting a Trial Run	73
	Enticements for Reluctant Faculty	73
	Conclusion 73: Helpful Web Sites for Library Media Specialists	74
Chapter 9	Guidelines for Positive Student Behavior	75
	Starting Out Right	75
	Verbal Cues	76
	Nonverbal Cues	76
	Defiant Behavior	77
	Instruction Techniques for Large Groups	77
	Keeping Research Skills from Becoming Boring	78
	The "Heart" of the School	78
Chapter 10	Finding and Keeping Volunteers and Media Clerks	81
	Recruitment	82
	Parents	82
	Grandparents	84
	Other Groups	84
	Advertising	85
	Students to the Rescue	85
	The Library Helper Job	87
	The Training Program	87
	Volunteer Motivation and Retention	89
	Volunteer Center	90
	Safety Concerns	90
	Helping Volunteers Feel Special	90
	Helping Volunteers Feel Important	90
	Having Fun	90
	Rewarding Teachers	91
	Volunteer Evaluation	91
	Working with Difficult People	91
	How to Afford Rewards	91
	The Media Clerk	93
	Job Description	93
	The Interview Process	93
	Interview Questions	94
	After the Interview	94
	The First Day on the Job	94
	To Do and To Go Boxes	95
	General Information	95
	Moments of Joy!	95
	References	97
	Appendixes
Appendix A	Periodicals for Library Media Specialists	99
Appendix B	Resources to Build Elementary Library Meida Center Collections	100
Appendix C	Spanish Language, Bilingual, and ESL Publishers	101
Appendix D	Directory of Subscription Service Providers	102
Appendix E	Suggested Periodical Titles for Teachers	103
Appendix F	Information Literacy Standards	104
	Information Literacy	104
	Independent Learning	104
	Social Responsibility	104
Appendix G	Ordering Information for the Colorado Studies	105
Appendix H	Library Volunteer Handbook	106
	Index	111
	About the Author	113

Editorial Reviews

"This is an abundantly comprehensive guide to elementary school library management. Each chapter has been created to directly demonstrate efficient and practical ways to manage a school library. Keep this book handy if you are planning a new school media center, taking a position at an established school, or looking to improve your own program and facility. Implementing change can be a gentle process for the entire school when you consider the tips Thelen offers regarding time management, scheduling, budgeting, grant writing, collaboration, and more. Included in this guide are several lists of 'must haves' for presenting an organized media center with a successful program, from basics like a stapler to a/v equipment like video cameras. The author provides many samples of handouts and charts, which are easily reproducible. Low quality grayscale images contradict the otherwise clear and precise presentation of the material. . . . A detailed index and table of contents help you find your answers quickly; and appendices provide information for further references, pertinent periodicals, standards in information literacy, and more. This book would well serve as a text for courses in school library management, as it is designed for the practitioner. It is not a theoretical or research-based book: it is simply a handbook of tips based on the experiences of a single school librarian. Let's all learn from her success! Highly Recommended." - Library Media Connection

From the Publisher

This quick, readable guide covers the basics of school librarianship, with special emphasis on the one-person operation. Facilities planning, budgeting, technology advocacy, reading motivation, and student discipline are among the topics included. Each chapter contains checklists, graphic organizers, and other practical information. Beginning media specialists, as well as those facing a job change, will be especially interested in the "Starting Over" chapter-a treasure trove of useful survival tips for making a smooth move to a new position. There is also an excellent section on recruiting and managing library volunteers, with ideas for training, schedules, and rewards. Throughout the book, Thelen emphasizes the need for "solo" media specialists to network with others in the profession through state and national associations as well as through online communities. A handy and functional volume that will be appreciated by both newbies and veteran media specialists "in transition."-Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

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