Cool tools: The Parish library mobile app!

The Parish libraries are 'app'ening places this week with the exciting rollout of our brand new mobile library app!

Patrons click a button on our website (see above) which takes them to a hosted URL.  Once they add the link to their home screen, they are ready to access the following library services from their smartphones:

*text a librarian

*email a librarian

*access the digital library powered by Overdrive (also new!)

*search our online catalogs

*follow our blogs for book recommendations and library happenings

*access online databases

Check out the Parish mobile library app below!

How to make a parent's day AND advocate for your library in one simple step

Sometimes a simple idea is best.  It's great to have a ton of ideas, but we're busy.  And overwhelmed.  And maybe stressed.  So if we could simplify, I'm betting no one would object.

Yesterday one of our wise librarians shared with me that as things get increasingly harried and fragmented, she copes with these multiple demands by streamlining.  She consciously steps back, identifies what is most important in her library, and then focuses on one or two things.  And because she is wonderful, these one or two things involve helping kids love reading and learning.  When she loses focus, she asks herself if the task at hand relates to her priorities.

Simplify.  Streamline.

In an earlier post I listed ten ideas to advocate for our libraries. In an effort to channel the advice of my smart friend, I'd like to feature one idea that several of our fabulous librarians have implemented.

Make one positive parent call a day. 

It takes only a couple of minutes.  Choose a student that you've had a special interaction with that day or one that may need a little affirmation.  The nervous flutter of calling a parent will dissipate once you find out how amazing it feels to make a parent's day.  And calling home isn't just for the little ones.  There's no age limit on feeling good.

The librarian I mentioned has recently started calling a parent each day with terrific results.  She left a voicemail for one parent at work telling the mom what a great kid her son is and how fun it is to work with him.  The mom called the librarian back and said, "I just wanted to hear you say those nice things about my son one more time.  Would you tell me again?"

"The Mind of a Researcher: Keith Curry Lance," is a great article from the April 2010 issue of Teacher Librarian about the critical role of a librarian. After 20 years of gathering data on the effectiveness of school libraries, Lance notes that the message still isn't being heard.  Why?  Lance feels that when we advocate for our own programs, it often sounds self-serving. 

And who does Lance believe are our best advocates?  Parents.

So today I challenge you to adopt the simple idea of making one positive parent phone call each day.  In this small act of kindness you will make the day of a parent and advocate for your library in one simple step.

And one small action can be powerful. 

If you call one parent a day x 180 days of school, that's 180 parents firmly in your corner.  We have 49 librarians in our district.  If each one would call one parent per day x 180 days, we would have 8,820 parents supporting our library program by the end of the year.

And if every school librarian called one parent every day...

Pass the word.

Tough times? Here we go!

The Superbowl is next week, and the commercials have already started.  One batch of ads features eager guys and gals gearing up for sporting or social events with the rally cry of, "Here we go!"

With all the tough education finance news we're hearing lately, it's time for librarians to gather around a rally cry and forge ahead.

It's not pretty out there.  In Texas, our friends in Austin ISD are facing cuts of 22 secondary librarians.  In Grand Prairie ISD, librarian and tech positions are being combined, leaving these persons to reapply for the "new" jobs which will number about one-third of previous jobs.  Funding for K-12 databases and other valuable library programs is in danger.

In response, listservs have been abuzz. Some librarians have felt the need to complain in this very public venue about a variety of unrelated topics.  We've heard about the hardwood floor in one superintendent's office, how coaches aren't being fired, and how much time our schools spend in state testing. 

None of this is doing our cause any good.  It's uninformed, unprofessional, and unproductive. Sure we're worried and upset, but let's focus our energies on positive action.

Ready?

1.  Send a brief email or make a call to your legislator.  Briefly summarize how librarians make a difference in student achievement.  Need data?  School Libraries Work  is excellent.

2.  Meet with your principal briefly every month.  Bring a one-page sheet to leave with your administrator that focuses on how your library program impacts student achievement (See a trend?)  This may include circulation stats, the number of classes in the library that month, how many times you've collaborated with teachers (formally or informally), and specific examples of research and instruction in the library that helps kids.  Share new ideas.  Enlist support.  Ask for their feedback.

After the meeting, email to thank the administrator for their support and include an electronic copy of your info that may also include pictures of programming and instruction, and links to your blog or other things you want to share. 

A note about meeting with your administrator.  Many librarians have said they skip this meeting because, a) their principal is really busy, b) it makes them uncomfortable, or c) they don't know what to say.  This meeting is critical.  Don't skip this important chance to let your principal know how you make a difference with kids.  Don't assume he/she knows what you do and the impact of your program.

3.  Get to know your teachers.  One of our librarians eats with a different grade level each week.  Another has started a teacher book club.  Ask the ones who really collaborate with you to tell their peers.  Ask the ones you never see what they need.  Provide specific ways you can help in case they can't think of anything!

4.  Involve parents.  Remember when you were a teacher and you called parents occasionally just to say something great about their child?  Do the same as a librarian.  "Hello, Mrs. Smith?  I'm Tim's librarian, and I just wanted you to know what a great reader he is." 

5.  Participate actively in professional library organizations. 

6.  Have a professional web presence.

7.  Volunteer to serve on campus and district-level committees.  Once you're there, be positive and look for opportunities to advocate for libraries.

8.  Serve on curriculum writing-committees for the district and work to ensure that the library/librarian are mentioned specifically in curriculum plans.  For example, the implementation phase could say something like, "Work with your librarian to..."

9.  Be about kids.  Everything you do should focus on helping kids. 

10.  Do more.  Know more.  Be more.

Tough times?  We're ready to face them.  Here we go!

How to write a proposal OR a lesson from the scouts

As crazy as it sounds, it's already time to start thinking about next school year.  Almost as soon as we get back from winter break, budget requests and summer professional development plans will be due.

As you begin to plan for next year, you may be asked to write a proposal.  Maybe you want to ask your administrator for something significant.  It could be permission to implement a big, new school-wide program.  Or maybe it's money for an online reference package or downloadable ebook system.  Possibly it's consideration for your library to be open a few additional hours each week.

If what you're asking for is small, a quick email or even a casual word in the hall may be enough for your administrator to give it a thumbs up.  But if your plan requires a good deal of money or would have an impact beyond your campus, you may be asked to formalize your request.

And that's where the scouts come in.  You need to be prepared.

If you missed the scouting experience or simply want a little push to get started, I'll offer a few proposal pointers.

General tips:

*Limit your proposal to one page if possible.
*Choose standard 10-12 pt. font in blank ink.
*Use simple, direct wording and a professional writing style.
*Spell correctly and use correct grammar.  Ask for savvy friends to edit your work.
*Pull out a compelling quote, idea, or intended result in a text box for emphasis.
* Follow the chain of command by submitting the proposal to your direct supervisor.
*Submit your proposal electronically so your administrator can easily forward it on if needed.
*Be prepared!  Think like an administrator and answer objections before they arise.

Specific structure:

First paragraph--introduction
*Succinctly state the purpose of your proposal. 
*Be brief and specific.
*Avoid jargon.
*Basically, what are you asking for?

Second paragraph--background
*Don't assume your administrator knows what you're talking about.
*Provide a fuller explanation of the program, the idea, the system, etc.
*Don't over explain.

Third paragraph--rationale
*Why is this needed?  (If it won't benefit the kids, why are you asking?)
*Explain how your idea will help kids.
*Provide data if possible or a quote from a great journal article.

Fourth paragraph--details
*What is your time frame for implementation?
*How much will it cost?
*How will you know if it works?
*Anticipate questions and answer them in this paragraph.

Fifth paragraph--closing
*Restate what you're asking for in simple terms.
*Tell why it's important (remember the kids!)
*Respectfully ask for consideration.

Now you're ready to submit your proposal.  Cross your fingers that it will be approved so your great idea can help the students you work with each day.

Or better yet, submit your proposal, and raise your hand in the scout's salute because you are prepared!

Talking to your principal--Advocacy 101

I definitely appreciate your suggestions for blog topics!  Christine asked for ideas of what a librarian could share with her principal, either during the year or at the end. 

The principal can be your best advocate, and I would encourage you to regularly schedule time to sit down with your administrator to talk about the library.  Once a month or six weeks is about right.  Be sure to respect your principal's time by limiting this visit to 10-15 minutes, tops.  While newsletters and emails are fine, don't underestimate the power of regular, brief, face-to-face chats.

If you're new, definitely meet with your principal before the year starts.  Ask your principal what his/her vision of the library is.  What is important? 

Ask plenty of questions.  Articulate your vision and goals.  Don't assume that your principal knows what a good library program looks like. 

Several years ago, I very nearly turned down a job because the principal told me in the interview that she wanted me to do "library lessons using the almanac, for example."  YIKES.  Library lessons?  In middle school, no less?

I really wanted the job, so when she called to offer it to me, I worked up my nerve.  I told her that I thought we shared the same goal of a vibrant library program centered around students, but I thought we might have different views of how to reach the goal.

She asked me to explain, and I mentioned the library lessons. The principal laughed, and said, "Oh, I have no idea what librarians DO.  I'll leave that to you.  I just remembered my librarian doing almanac lessons."

Thank heavens I asked.  Otherwise, I might have turned down the job, or worse, I might have done the dreaded "library lessons" thinking that's what she expected.

The following is a short (random) list of topics you may wish to discuss.  Does your principal:

• Share your philosophy and vision of the library?
• Know your goals and how he/she can help you reach them?
• Understand the importance of flexible scheduling?
• Support the selection process and student access to materials? 
• Pave the way for you to collaborate with teachers?
• Provide adequate budget support?
• Know what a good library program should look like?

A few pieces of advice:

• Principals have crazy busy schedules.  Email the principal's secretary and make an 15-minute appointment for a convenient time.  Let them know the purpose of the visit.
• Principals don't have time to wade through tons of stuff.  Limit written information you give them to one page.
• Principals think in terms of student achievement.  School Libraries Work (Scholastic 2008) can provide good support, but remember the one page rule. 
• Principals are data driven. Stats are nice. 
• Principals hear it all.  As a result, they appreciate positive staff members who are team players.  Don't always ask for things!
• Principals are people too.  Take time to develop a professional relationship.  Say thank you.  Tell him/her how much you appreciate their support. 

A brief end-of-the year report is nice but not required.  It may include stats for the year, summarization of major programs and accomplishments, and progress toward goals.

Your principal = your best advocate!