I also haven't had an experience (yet) in the library that has stressed me out to such levels that approximate my most anxious moments in the classroom (remember, I taught/ worked in special education settings before).
That being said, there is so much more to a library program than books, stories, and lessons. It's the stuff that I have to do at my messy work desk that tends to stress me out a bit.
Like navigating the online district financial program. Thank goodness we have fabulous librarians in our district who actually took their own valuable time to write a step-by-step handbook on the subject--and thanks to the computer design that allows me to have said handbook open in one window while I trudge through the financial trenches in another one.
The responsibility of a district purchasing card, and handling of money can stress me out a little. I have bookfairs to decorate, refreshments to purchase for events, a conference and author visits to pay for, books to buy. Those said bookfairs generate a lot of sales on my campus. We collect funds for lost ID badges, lost and damaged books, birthday book donations. Spending taxpayer's money wisely weighs heavily on my mind.
I am getting a bit less queasy each month that I submit my financial statement, and I'm good about keeping up with receipts and forms. I have to admit that even in my second year on the job, I get giddy when I place big orders for books on the district's dime. Even giddier when the boxes arrive and I get to share them with staff and students.
I once had a parent who asked what it took to be a librarian, and acted surprised when I told her that one has to have a master's degree. I went on to explain that the library is more than checking books in and out and buying the latest bestsellers--it's a classroom, meeting place, safe space, and program all rolled into one. I'm guessing that at the campus level, the library budget ranks in the top half amount-wise, when you add in the book funds, database subscriptions and revenue.
I know that as the years go by, I will become more confident in the program duties the job entails. It makes me ever so thankful that I have a wonderful assistant and volunteers who take care of some of the more mundane details like book maintenance, checking in books and shelving, so that I can disappear occasionally into my office and take care of the paperwork. I will still maintain, though, that my favorite part of being a librarian is out there with the students, among the stacks, in the Book Nook and learning areas, talking books and stories and growing as global and digital citizens.
It is wonderfu that you love books and kids so much that is what it takes. Everyone should be thankful that a careful minded professional like yourself is in the trenches making some of those big behind-the-scenes decisions. I was wondering as we become more digital if you have to incorporate more technology into your job description. Our librarian is also our media specialist. So she has to teach some tech usage, store, schedule and distribute the school's shared chromebook carts, etc
ReplyDeleteWe have a campus instructional tech support person who does the bulk of device maintenance on our campus, and she's housed in the office next to mine in the library. I have access to tech (Promethean board in the library, shared computer cart), developed and maintain the library web site, and teach information literacy lessons (navigating databases, evaluating website validity, internet safety, plagiarism, citation, etc). Next year, I'll be part of a district pilot program and will have a library-dedicated set of devices to use with students--very exciting!
DeleteI've often wondered how wonderful it would be to work surrounded by books. Of course as a classroom teacher, I am sort of. But as a librarian, your world is books. So glad you love your job!
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful place to be! Only took me twenty years in education to get here. :-)
DeleteI used to be the President of the Board of a large public library. I learned a lot about what a library needs to be in order to be effective. One thing I like to compare libraries to is community centers and shelters. The library is one of the only places left where everyone is welcome to join in as they are. This post warmed my heart.
ReplyDeleteShould have known you have close personal ties to libraries...maybe we'll make a librarian out of you yet, Kimberley. ;-) One thing that surprises students and teachers alike is when I tell them their personal checkouts are private. The library is truly one of the last bastions of intellectual freedom.
Delete