ISO suggestions from teachers, librarians.....

[lindrusso]

Hi there. :)

I subbed in an elementary school library for 3 days this past week and need a few suggestions.

I'm just not sure how to structure it all. The kids come in and drop their books in the book return and then from there it's very unstructured. I've tried different systems for checking in and checking out and none of them seem to work smoothly. I end up with a big line at the desk with all the kids asking me questions at the same time - this makes me feel rushed and overwhelmed. Yesterday I tried a system that had them coming up one at a time once all the books were checked in and that seemed to work maybe a little better.

The biggest problem, however, is that no matter what system I use, it takes a good 15 minute or longer for me to get all of this done. While I'm at the desk, completely occupied with checking in and out, the kids are wandering the library looking for books, but mostly goofing off and not being quiet.

I realize that part of the problem is that I'm a sub and they are not familiar with my expectations (though I do try to sit them down and talk about it). If I were to do this long term, that could probably be worked out. But, the bigger problem is that these are little kids and they really need more structure. I have kids looking for books, kids who are NOT looking for books because they forgot their books at home, and kids who simply don't even want to check out a book. Not to mention that my eyes cannot follow them all over the room and watch them if I'm at the desk tending to the kids checking out.

Any suggestions on how to structure this whole process? Maybe I could give them some sort of activity to occupy them while I get this done? But then I'm afraid they will get caught up in the activity and not get books picked out!

Oh, and I try to leave time for a story. I have found that this is harder to do when they've already picked out their books - they play with the books they've picked out instead of paying attention. :rolleyes: I'm thinking of moving story time to the beginning of class..........

Also, the library has a pretty big collection of paperback books - the little kid kind that have no real spine to label. These are so hard to organize - it's impossible to find anything. Any ideas on how to organize these to make them more accessible? I might try to suggest something to the librarian or even make a donation.......

That's only the tip of the iceberg with this place. The librarian is getting a bit elderly and the place is a disaster. Kids have books listed under their name from 2005, some kids have 4 books out at once, the place is messy and dirty, there are books for little kids up out of reach so that they have to climb stools to access them..........I could go on and on. I try to help without doing so much that I would step on anyone's toes, but I can't stand just sitting back and doing nothing!

I would love any suggestions you may have and/or maybe any resources I could consult for ideas. TIA! If I'm called to sub there again, I'd just like to be better prepared!

And then I have to deal with the fact that part of the librarian's job in this school is to keep an eye on the ENTIRE 300ish student body in the cafeteria for 20 minutes before school starts. One person, 300ish students! I'm going to go in and speak to the principal about that one next week............. :eek:

[wallycat]

I'll be curious to hear what responses you get.
When I worked as a public library librarian, my nightmare was working the "kids" side of the library--and that is even when parents brought them in (though most parents at this library assumed it was free baby-sitting :mad: :mad: ).

Even at the adult desk, and with techs and shelvers, it can take 15 minutes or more to help someone find a book they need if they are not specific, help them locate it, and point them to the check out. If these are young kids, it may take longer. I don't envy you. I commend you for wanting to bring order to their lives---and learning to wait is just something they'll all have to get used to.
Maybe developing patience for them will be your gift :D :) ;)

[lindrusso]

Even at the adult desk, and with techs and shelvers, it can take 15 minutes or more to help someone find a book they need if they are not specific, help them locate it, and point them to the check out.

Oh my gosh - poor kids - they kept asking me if we had this or that - not only did I not have any idea, I had not one moment to help them out! I could have opted not to read them a story and help them look for books, but I was desparate to restore some kind of order and getting them all seated on the carpet and looking at me reading seemed to be the only way!

I thrive on being organized and efficient, so I know this will bug me until I get it worked out.

I don't know how often I'll be called to sub for library, but when I do, I'd like to have a system in place.

I think the librarian there now is not very organized and efficient, so part of the problem is trying to deal with kids that have been used to doing their own thing. When I subbed for a more organized librarian in a different school, I didn't have as many of these problems - the kids had already been trained properly. ;) :)

[Kathy B]

I volunteered in the library most of the years my kids were in elementary school. I was only there about once a week or so for a morning or afternoon, but there were at least 10 or 12 moms on a list of volunteers and we were scheduled so that most of the time the librarian had at least one mom there to help. The moms could reshelve, check books in, check kids out and even do a few projects depending on what the librarian needed and the comfort level of the mom. MANY of the mom's would volunteer to be there during their own child's checkout time. Maybe you could suggest the school set something like that up. I can give you more details about it if you like.

On a day that a class had their library visit, a bin was set in their classroom so that all library books were returned to the bin as the kids arrived and were putting coats away, sharpening pencils and otherwise getting ready for school. A volunteer would take a cart and collect any bins, then get the books checked in BEFORE the class arrived for their library time.

When a class came in, the librarian would have them sit down on the floor, then ask any kids with overdue books about those books. She read each childs name and told them how many books they could check out (the limit is two, so if they had one out, they could only check out one, if they had two out, they could not check out any.) For kids who were not going to be able to check any out, there was a "magazine area" with two small sofas and a table with chairs. There was a magazine rack with various magazines and kids books that they could (HAD TO) sit and read while waiting for their classmates. Our librarian was great! She would say, "Sarah, you already have two books checked out, so YOU may go to the magazine area." It never sounded like anyone was being penalized, just told their choices for the day.

One last thing, the teachers USUALLY stayed with the class to help with crowd control. It really isn't very reasonable to think that one adult can assist, supervise and checkout an entire classroom (at least not the younger kids) without any help. IF the teacher didn't stay, there was most likely a volunteer there to pick up the slack.

Hope that gives you a few things you can use. :)

ETA: Another thing I remember is that for the very youngest kids, she usually put books at their age level on one or two tables, and they had to make their selections from those. It really helped prevent them looking in the wrong areas or pulling 15 books from the shelf and then deciding they didn't want any of them.

[lindrusso]

Kathy - Thanks for the input.

Most of these things are not things I could suggest or implement unless I were the librarian. Even to suggest this on her behalf would possibly be stepping on toes. I get the feeling she's kind of set in he ways. What I really need now is a system in place to get me through the scheduled time alone. I think it's possible - it was done this way at the last school I worked - I just need to figure out a way to do it.

However, I will certainly file these ideas away if there comes a time when I get a chance to make more of an impact. As for getting teachers to supervise - I doubt that would ever happen! They LOVE specials time so that they can have prep time. And not that they don't desperately need prep time, but I have found that it can be very hard to get teachers mobilized to go beyond what is already asked of them (which, admittedly, is a lot). Not criticizing teachers, just saying that I don't think that's gonna happen. :)

I think everyone knows the library is not very well run, but they seem to be choosing to look the other way. Sad really - we tell the kids that reading is so important but the library is not reflecting that at all.

And while I feel comfortable bringing up the issue of babysitting 300+ students as safety problem with the principal (both as an employee and as a parent), it would take a little more finesse on my part to bring up the sad state of the library without looking like I'm being critical or judgemental............

[vbak]

Alysha, I think corraling them before story and check out is a good idea. This what our librarian does. He chats a few minutes with the kids before laying out his plan. Try putting a time limit on browsing/searching for books-10 minutes, then start your checkout. I sometimes pitch in with checkout if his aide is out or he is busy. I also think calling up a small group at a time might help, too.

Vicky

[lindrusso]

I should add that unlike the other school I worked for, this school does not have an actual librarian that oversees the library. The lady running it is just an aide - I don't know what kind of training she has had - maybe there's more to it than I'm realizing. I think this also means that she is somewhat limited in what she's allowed to do with the kids - as in no "teaching", whatever that means.

In any case, I found it rather odd that there is no trained librarian with ultimate responsibility. In our last school the aides were in the library full time and did the day-to-day work, but the librarian spent usually a day at each school, rotating between 4 different schools.

Another reason I'd like to learn more and/or have a plan in place is that if a permanent aide position ever becomes available, it's something I would most likely apply for - though I'd prefer something in the office or to be in the middle school or high school library where the kids are a bit more self-sufficient and I'd be less of a babysitter. ;) :)

[jjsooner73]

I should add that unlike the other school I worked for, this school does not have an actual librarian that oversees the library. The lady running it is just an aide - I don't know what kind of training she has had - maybe there's more to it than I'm realizing. I think this also means that she is somewhat limited in what she's allowed to do with the kids - as in no "teaching", whatever that means.

In any case, I found it rather odd that there is no trained librarian with ultimate responsibility. In our last school the aides were in the library full time and did the day-to-day work, but the librarian spent usually a day at each school, rotating between 4 different schools.

Another reason I'd like to learn more and/or have a plan in place is that if a permanent aide position ever becomes available, it's something I would most likely apply for - though I'd prefer something in the office or to be in the middle school or high school library where the kids are a bit more self-sufficient and I'd be less of a babysitter. ;) :)

Wow, that is surprising. These days, being a librarian encompasses so much more than it did in the past. Our librarian really works as a partner with the classroom teachers and is a key person in helping the kids learn about the technology they can use to do their research, in addition to helping them find books and keeping the library running smoothly.
My current elementary school has a FT librarian and a PT aide. My last school was a middle school and had a FT librarian and aide both, as well as a host of volunteers.
I wish I had some suggestions for you Alysha, but my kids don't even check out books yet; I haven't seen what works in our library.

[cherylopal]

Just wanted to add what my first graders do for library-
they come in and drop their books in the return bin which is near the door. Then they sit in a designated area for story time- it happens to be on a flight of 4 stairs- great stadium seating! the librarian is ready with her story and begins as soon as the kiddos are seated. AFter story, the kids are reminded to get their space savers (marks the shelf where they have removed a book) and then she tells them the kind of book they may look for- free choice, nonfiction etc. some books are left on the tables for them to read or look at. as they select their book they go to the check out area. they all take different amounts of time so there isn't usually a line longer than 3-4 kids. then they sit down in the hall in a line to read their books or share with the classmate next to them. after about 1/3 of the class is checked out, they return to the classroom. the rest stagger up. the class then has dear time- continued silent reading to self- for a few minutes and then time to share their books with anyone in the class.

as a classroom teacher, i have asked the librarian if i can come and help during library time. sometimes the choice for their selection is a book on their level. this is such a help for me as their reading teacher. other days i can just have the child read to me or help those that need assistance in selecting books. if i am busy and not able to make it to library, the librarian usually calls for free choice.

this seems to work well, but the kids know the routine.

[Beth]

I volunteered in the library at the boy's former elementary school. You would envy the full time librarian (ahe is also responsible for computer issues throughout the building) a full time aide and a team of helpers -- usually one mom at all times classes come in and then some. Even without all that manpower, maybe the system will offer some tips.

The children return theri boooks at the start of the day by dropping them into a wood-sided wagon at the end of each grade hall. One or two may be pretty full when classes have library days scheduled, but the others will be empty or have a few stragglers. Each morning, the aide or a parent volunteer will round up the books and check them in before any classes come to the library that day. They use a barcode scanner, and once the computer is set for checking in books, they can just scan each book. Those books go onto the carts for reshelving. In most cases, tThe books have to be checked in before the student are allowed to check out more books, so that is all out of the way when the students come in.

For checkout, they use the barcodes again and they have preselected student checkout. The bar codes for each student are inside a file folder printed out on stick on labels -- one for each teacher. All the volunteer has to do is scan the students barcode (they are all on one side of the folder in alphabetical order, so they are easy to spot and scan), then scan the books. I think it's one or two clicks in between each student, but you can go through a bunch of books in a hurry.

The students used to bring their returned books with them, and it took a lot longer and created a lot more confusiion when they were at their maximum number and had to check in before they could check out. If you have a barcode scanning system, maybe the early check in process would help.

[lindrusso]

i have asked the librarian if i can come and help during library time. sometimes the choice for their selection is a book on their level. this is such a help for me as their reading teacher.

Cheryl - I had concerns about this too. I realize that as a sub, it's really hard for me to know what they really should be reading - I don't know the kids at all and I'm not familiar with a lot of the books. For K-2 it's pretty easy - they just take out the "E" books - E for Everyone or Easy. After that, I'm stumped! I was so busy trying to get them checked in and out that I paid no attention whatsoever to what they were checking out!

For checkout, they use the barcodes again and they have preselected student checkout.

Oh, that would help a lot! They do have barcodes for the books, but I was just typing in their last name for the students and it took forever! A barcode for the students would be a big help!

I'm also liking this idea of carts in the hallways to collect the books and check them in before they come to class. It may not always be possible though if she has an early class. And if there are no other helpers, it would be up to the librarian to collect them all..............

Keep the ideas coming. I may not be able to ever implement any of them, but I find it interesting anyway! :)

[cherylopal]

Cheryl - I had concerns about this too. I realize that as a sub, it's really hard for me to know what they really should be reading - I don't know the kids at all and I'm not familiar with a lot of the books. For K-2 it's pretty easy - they just take out the "E" books - E for Everyone or Easy. After that, I'm stumped! I was so busy trying to get them checked in and out that I paid no attention whatsoever to what they were checking out!



As a sub or even as the regular librarian, I think that knowing each kids reading level is beyond your call. Their levels change sometimes drastically. The librarian and hopefully the classroom teacher has taught the kids how to choose a book on their level and then the kids need to make that choice and then take responsibility for that choice. If the book is too hard for them, then it becomes a read together (kid and a parent) or a read aloud (parent to kid). (Press easy button here!) If the book is easy, then it is practice for them or a week they can just enjoy the story or they can read it aloud to their parents. If the book is actually on their reading level, well, great.

[vbak]

Cheryl - I had concerns about this too. I realize that as a sub, it's really hard for me to know what they really should be reading - I don't know the kids at all and I'm not familiar with a lot of the books. For K-2 it's pretty easy - they just take out the "E" books - E for Everyone or Easy. After that, I'm stumped! I was so busy trying to get them checked in and out that I paid no attention whatsoever to what they were checking out!



Oh, that would help a lot! They do have barcodes for the books, but I was just typing in their last name for the students and it took forever! A barcode for the students would be a big help!

I'm also liking this idea of carts in the hallways to collect the books and check them in before they come to class. It may not always be possible though if she has an early class. And if there are no other helpers, it would be up to the librarian to collect them all..............

Keep the ideas coming. I may not be able to ever implement any of them, but I find it interesting anyway! :)

{I can't get this quote thing to work right} Alysha, go to google and type in readability levels. You will get a list of sites to help with reading levels. And while it is true that it would be impossible to know each student's reading level , it might offer you a bit of info on what's appropriate.

Vicky