Journal+Entries

Week 1: When choosing to change career paths and go back to school to become a school librarian, I imagined myself reading to children and promoting literacy by helping them find books they would love. My first class, Children's Literature and Emotional Intelligence, was everything I expected. However, when taking Web 2.0 over the summer, I realized that these days being a library media specialist is much more than books. The technology part of the job was frankly quite intimidating, and I questioned whether I had chosen the right career change afterall. I was proud of my improvement by the conclusion of Web 2.0, but when I signed up for this class, I hoped to return to my comfort zone. However, this class promises to be much more. Our initial readings have defined my future job as more than books and/or technology. The definition of a school library media specialist as a teacher, leader, collaborator, public relations professional and much, much more is exciting! I'm realizing that my backgound in journalism, public relations and event planning will serve me well. Technology might never be my strong suit, but as we learned from the personality test, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. I choose to focus on my stengths and work to improve my weaknesses. Let's face it, if everyone had the same strengths, there would be no need for collaboration.

Week 2: How many hats do school library media specialists wear? Add artist to the list. Those were the thoughts running through my mind as I worked on my bulletin board this week. It was a labor of love and frustration! I knew the message I wanted to convey but creating the look I wanted was challenging. My 8 and 6 year old boys offered lots of encouragement and honest evaluations along the way. Again, I struggled with overcoming a weakness. I'm not artistic. However, I believe the final product shows that I am creative, and I know kids. The theme and vibrance of my bulletin board will capture students even though it won't win any art awards.

Week 3: I ran into an old high school classmate at the grocery store and shared that I was working on getting my masters degree to become a school librarian. His response was, "You only need to know 4 words, 'please be quiet' " I chuckled, thinking "That's 3 words numb skull", but replied simply, "These days, the library is a different place than you remember." As new library media specialists, we'll face the tough job of changing perceptions of the "shhhing" library that are deeply ingrained in the public's consciousness. I hope to be able to meet the needs of all students...those who savor the sanctuary of a quiet place to read, as well as those looking for a dynamic place to gather and brainstorm while searching the web. That is why a well thought out design and layout of the school library media center is so imperative. A school library media specialist who is considerate of the personalities and learning styles of her students can go a long way, as well.

Week 4: I really enjoyed seeing my fellow students' bulletin boards this week. I especially was intriqued by the few that were interactive for the students because of flaps to lift and investigate. Students, these days, are growing up with games video games that are more interactive. I think keeping this in mind when creating promotional pieces like bulletin boards is useful. Those flaps will keep students coming back for more because they're a part of the action. The popularity of reality television confirms that we are no longer content to be spectators. Kudos to those bulletin board creators who found a way to make their viewers active receivers of their messages!

Week 5: I chose to create a newsletter for this week's assignment, and since it's October, I addressed banned books week in my letter to families. How shocked I was to discover that some of my all-time favorite books have frequently made the banned list. Where the Wild Things Are was one my controversial favorites. Harry Potter, which made my 8 year old son the book lover he is today, was also listed. I hope that I never in my career have to face parents who see fit to pressure for the banning of books in my library because it won't be a pretty fight:)

Week 6: If I wasn't already convinced that the students of today and tomorrow will need a technologically-savvy library media specialist, I am now. Yesterday, when I asked my 8 year old son what he was doing on wikipedia, he promptly responded, "correcting a mistake I found." Long and behold, the page on a major league baseball team hadn't been updated to include its defeat by the New York Yankees the night before. What a feeling of power, for my son to be able to contribute to this big wide world of information. Young or old, it's an exciting time to be an information specialist!

Week 7: I spent the day in a middle school library media center and what a day it was! I have to admit, I had no interest in working in a middle school and was shadowing there simply because I was required to log some hours in a secondary school. Well, I'm so glad I did. The students were bright-eyed and excited to learn; not at all the brooding pre-teens with attitudes I had expected. I truly enjoyed interacting with them. The library itself was full of life. The librarian I shadowed is a pro collaborator. She had classes in and out all day. At times it was LOUD...no shhhing librarians here. Middle school is now a level I will strongly consider.

Week 8: I spent the day in an elementary school library and left exhausted! The library clerk's hours were cut to part-time this year and it was evident. The LMS made every effort to provide each class that came in with a creative, curriculum-based lesson. The problem was that she was so overwhelmed by the process of checking books in and out, that she literally lost the book she was planning to use for one of her lessons. There was an overall feeling of chaos. After one class visited, there were books lying in a pile on the floor. The shelves were disorganized with books slammed into one shelf while the next was only half full. I came away thinking a lesson in feng shui was sorely in need. Upon reflection, it was simply a matter of a district cutting costs at the expense of its library and ultimately, its students.

Week 9: Children of all ages still love to be read too, especially if the reader is dynamic. I learned that for sure today while shadowing at a local elementary school. The school library media specialist was so enthusiastic that it was contagious. She singlehandedly (without a clerk) taught five classes without breaking a sweat. What she did have was the full attention of the students as she read (with dynamic inflection and hand gestures) book after book to the K-3 kids. With the fourth and fifth graders, she discussed an ongoing project based on (you guessed it) a book they read together. My faith is renewed!

Week 10: I spent some time reflecting on the question of staying "relevant" as a a school library media specialist and remain perplexed. I don't understand why promoting literacy in this day and age is any less relevant than teaching math. We don't need to compute in our heads. We have calculators built into our phones, yet no one is questioning the importance of teaching children how to add. To say we no longer needs books because we have computers is like saying we no longer need our legs because we have cars.

Week 11: I'm relieved after Linda's discussion about where we are heading as a profession. I was beginning to worry that there would be no place for book lovers like me in this evolving profession. Instead, I'm now looking for ways I can incorporate technology while still promoting literacy and learning. I hope to enrich and strengthen a school's curriculum by making my library the place where curricular goals are reached and surpassed with the aid of books, technology, information literacy, critical thinking, and creative problem solving. Big task...but what's the fun in taking the easy road?

Week 12: I spent a lot of time this week compiling a webliography for LIS 620. It wasn't a task I particularly was looking forward to, but to my pleasant surprise, it turned out to be so much fun that I continued long after I found the 10 required sites for my assignment. There were so many amazing sites for student learning that I more than once exuberantly called in my sons to check them out. I even emailed my sons' principal about one of the sites hosted by National Geographic. Ultimately, the experience lead to my realization that we are seriously depriving our children if we don't incorporate this body of knowledge into education. From virtual tours to awe inspiring photographs, our lessons can be enriched by technology in innumerable ways. My excitement for this profession is building!