Student Librarians

The posters went around school yesterday, and I have handed out 30 application forms so far. I'm pleased but fully realise that most of them won't stand the course of time. I am going to have a trial period so that I won't have to keep any on that are more trouble than they are worth! It also allows me to give them all a fair go.

I am currently requesting references from form tutors, and then will conduct interviews. I want it to be a formal as possible, so it gives it some level of status. They will then work towards different levels of certificate for their Record of Achievement.

It's been more boys than girls so far - so perhaps challenging a few stereotypes. There is also a nice mix of year groups - from 7-10.

The confused innocence of year 7

This week I had a small group of year 7 boys having a look around the library. They came across this book:

'Miss, is this allowed in school?'
'Of course!' I reply.
'But Miss...it's recruiting you to be gay'



The book is called 'Starting Out: Lesbian and Gay Recruitment Guide' if the picture is too small!

Feeling Blue?

My first attempt at a colour coded display. Its not great, but its ok, and hopefully each time it can get better. Its sat on an old art trolley.I aim to get a display board put up above it, on the wall, to extend displays up and create a larger impact. I may also look into buying a proper display unit.

Colour Coding - Supersized!

This is a bookshop transformed by 16 people, in one night to a colour coded theme. There were 25,000-30,000 books!

Here are some blogs talking about the artist Chris Cobb
There is nothing wrong in this whole wide world
There is nothing wrong in this whole wide world
There is nothing wrong in this whole wide world
An interview with Chris Cobb

A week down

I have technically been there a week, although had to have two days off for a hospital thing. What have I achieved so far? -

• Found the staffroom
• Started meeting staff, and even remembering some names!
• Chucked out boxes and boxes of stuff. I have cleared 80-90% of the filing system, many boxes of books (including those encyclopedias from this post here ). I have removed all of the videos - dvd only from now on! Luckily I managed to quite a lot passed onto to other staff members, I advertised things via staff email, and got some collected. Some old books are being used for art projects; old magazines are being read in form rooms; videos were collected for tutor groups; maps are being collected by the geography team and the list could go on. Very cathartic!
  
• I have removed all of the old library shelf dividers of their previous labels...and broken many a nail in the process. Here are what they looked like -
  

They will eventually be all printed in the same style, with
colour coding for each Dewey category.

• I have taken a poster made by another librarian and added to it, making a Dewey system that I feel will work in my library. They are colour coded for ease. It took ages to try and position it all exactly right, and it may still be a work in progress!
  
• I have made some bookmarks ready for when we open. Three of them give the colour coded Dewey codes, and three of them currently give advice on looking after a book.
• I have had sales reps in to try and help me decide which library management system to use, and which type of security to go with.
• I have had my Library Assistant make the things for our student librarians - an advert, a job description and an application form.
• I have made a wish list as I don't yet know my budget!
• I have rearranged some furniture and made a make-shift display area, incase my budget won't allow me to buy a nice snazzy display shelf!

I'm sure I've done some other bits and pieces but that is what sticks out in my mind right now!

My first day!

I am now officially a librarian, and no longer a teacher!

The day began with finding somewhere to lock up my bike, first challenge met when given key to bike shed. Second challenge was logging onto the computer - visited and met the IT men (important people to know!). It had started surprisingly well!

I met my Library Assistant, who is fantastic. We were both relieved to see we would get on and she seemed excited about my ideas.

I have made appointments with management system suppliers and security gate people, and I had an online demo from Eclipse today, so am really trying to push to get this done asap.

I had some children pop in, desperately asking when the library would be open, which was nice. I already have some who are waiting for me to advertise for student librarians, which is a positive start.

I left feeling really good, and feeling that I have made the right choice.

More display ideas

The Carel Press website has some nice photos of library displays if you are looking for any inspiration.