[CALIBK12] Subs in the library

Thu Apr 23 09:02:52 PDT 2009

We have 73 teachers at our school.  If I let them just drop in whenever,
it would be a nightmare, especially with the computers.  Our teachers do
schedule times, and I generally ask for and receive the handouts that
will be used so that I can pull some example books or come up with some
links or do presentations.  In other words, knowing ahead of time what a
teacher is doing allows me to help the teacher.  I definitely dislike
when subs are in the library because they assume that I am going to
watch the class.  Most of the time, they just sit back and read or do
some other personal work.  I've had subs in the library text-messaging
the whole time!  One has to wonder to whom for that full hour.
Sometimes the students know what they are supposed to do, but often they
do not or they feel this is just time to fool around.  I do not have the
sub's lesson plans, so I do not always know what students are supposed
to do.  I have actually had to tell a sub to circulate and watch the
students.  So, personally, I prefer not to have subs with a class in the
library if I can help it.

As for quiet, here is something interesting that I found out at the
beginning of the school year.  Students wanted relative (a dull murmur)
quiet during lunch.  We have a lot of study groups that meet, homework
being done, and papers being written.  This panned out with the results
of a survey.  What students like most from the library were computers
and quiet!  Some students even requested a quieter atmosphere.  I was
shocked to say the least.  So many YA librarians talk about how students
want to chat and use the library for purely social interaction.  My
strange students wanted a quieter atmosphere, so I accommodated them -
go figure.

________________________________

From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu
[mailto:calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu] On Behalf Of Donna Purcell
Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2009 7:35 AM
To: Cathy Rettberg; calibk12
Subject: Re: [CALIBK12] Subs in the library

I have to agree about the less quiet/control/rules for before school, at
lunch, and after school, but I also have issues with teachers scheduling
their classes for the library when they know they are going to be out.
I think that some teachers just don't want to do lesson plans, so they
schedule their classes to come to the library with no instructions for
the sub at all.  It's like having a free period all day.  It's very
frustrating for me.  

Donna Purcell

Library Media Technician

Jefferson Middle School

Oceanside, CA  92054

(760) 757-6060 x233

________________________________

From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu
[mailto:calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu] On Behalf Of Cathy Rettberg
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 6:15 PM
To: calibk12
Subject: Re: [CALIBK12] Subs in the library

After reading this post I decided to broadcast my reply that had gone to
Jennifer:

"Actually mine (sub rules) is simple: anyone can come to the library
anytime. 5 minutes notice is nice, and I whine a bit when they don't
warn me beforehand, but if they ask I rarely say no. I'd rather be
crowded and overworked than turn down a teacher who wants to use the
library."

To continue: If I already knew about a lesson and the sub is bringing in
the class, I get to continue the good work that is already underway. If
this is the first time I'm hearing about a lesson, then at least I get
to contribute where I wouldn't have otherwise. 

My library is less about quiet/control/rules than it is about learning,
which with teens, often happens in groups, with discussion and yes,
sometimes with noise. I'm happy to say they love to come to the library
though - it's not unusual to have 100 kids before/after during breaks
and I welcome every one of them.

Cathy

-----------

Cathy Rettberg

Head Librarian, Menlo School

Atherton, CA

crettberg at menloschool.org

On Nov 17, 2008, at 9:19 PM, Millam, Joy wrote:

I re-read your post and wanted to also say that you will want to be
careful not to alienate your teaching staff.  It is so important for
them to see us as education partners and not as an enemy or difficult to
deal with... I can certainly understand that you've had issues in the
past, but I would heartily encourage you to work with those teachers to
extract the desired behavior from the students and sub staff.  Proper
preparation by the teacher before the absence should work. Also, I
wouldn't punish all teachers for the sins of a few.  The more you work
with the staff the better. If you give them a path to success you will
be giving them all a chance to be successful.

If you take a hard line with everyone you may be closing the door to
future collaboration opportunities which hurts everyone.

Just my two cents.

Joy Millam
District Library Coordinator / Teacher Librarian
YALSA's Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers Committee Chairperson
Valencia High School
Placentia, CA
714-996-4970 x3250
jmillam at pylusd.org

http://bookdiva1.blogspot.com/
http://booktalksandmore.pbwiki.com

http://www.vhstigers.org/library/mrs_millam.jsp?rn=3833

"Libraries are not made; they grow." - Augustine Birrell

-----Original Message-----
From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu on behalf of Jennifer James
Sent: Mon 11/17/2008 8:27 PM
To: calibk12 at listproc.sjsu.edu
Subject: [CALIBK12] Subs in the library

I am in a high school library that serves about 1,900 students.  When a
teacher informed me today that his classes would be coming in to the
library with a substitute later this week, I politely explained to him
that I don't allow classes in the library with a sub.  Past experiences
with subs in the library have been less than pleasant, so I prefer to
avoid the situation completely.  Subs tend to sit and read the newspaper
or a magazine, and the students turn wild.  With 40 students in every
class, and a 3,000 square-foot facility, I simply can not supervise and
teach at the same time.  What is your policy or philosophy regarding
classes in the library under the supervision of a substitute teacher?

Thank you,

Jennifer James
Beyer High LMT
Modesto, CA
james.je at monet.k12.ca.us

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