Leap Day

1.  Does a librarian get support from administration?

  I asked Ms. Becky this question before I finished up my hours at the high school.  She told me that her principal is very supportive of the library and her position.  He is very understanding and evaluates her fairly.  However, she did tell me that she has had administration in the past that was not supportive.  She was pulled from the library to fill in as an aide and at times had to cancel her library duties to fill in for other places.  As a librarian, I can tell you that I can see how Ms. Becky could have been pulled from her position to fill in elsewhere.  There have been times when I have had to do the same.  I guess library is seen as a "special class,"  and since it is not tested then administration often sees it as an extra position to interchange with others.


2.  Is the budget adequate to sustain and keep up a high quality collection?

Ms. Becky said that her budget is more than enough to maintain and keep up a high quality collection.  She also told me that she likes to apply for grants, and she tends to receive two or three grants a year that range anywhere from $200-$500.  She uses this money to buy bigger items that might be needed in the library.  Since I have been the librarian at Dyer for only this year, I know that the budget has been enough to support any purchases that I wanted to make.



3.  Do people think your job is easy?

I have heard this many times from fellow teachers.  "Don't you love being out of the classroom?"  For some reason, teachers seem to think that being a librarian is easy because there is no test pressure from the state (yet).  I know that this is not the case.  I feel like being a librarian is one of the hardest positions I've ever had.  I have to prepare for all grades not just one.  I have to create my own curriculum because there is not one that can be purchased.  I have to transition from teaching kindergarten one class to teaching 8th graders the next.  Being a librarian is not easy!



I felt like since today was LEAP day that I should make an entry because it is a special day.  Only one more blog entry left.  I'm slowly whittling away on my assignments and work that is due which is a good thing since I am now in the process of trying to sell my house, plan a wedding, and go on job interviews for my big move.  This has been one busy year so far! Happy Leap Day!