Keeping the Connections Electric Sharon Armstrong Head of Library, North Park Collegiate Valerie Bureau Teacher-Librarian, Courtland & Walsh Public Schools Grand Erie District School Board

Keeping the Connections Electric Keeping the zap in your library program can be challenging when you’re not scheduled full-time. What can you do to charge up your library program?

Agenda 1.Fantasy vs reality 2.The challenges 3.Charge up to electrify 4.When the going gets tough, remember the little engine that could…Ideas, ideas, ideas 5.Evidence based practice tips

Fantasy vs Reality The Fantasy: a full-time teacher-librarian in every school (some schools do have ‘em) The Reality: I am a.x teacher-librarian - how can I run a great program?

The Challenges Inflexible scheduling Prep coverage Lack of administration time Volunteers Lack of staffing Outdated materials Outdated technology Lack of funding/budget

Inflexible Scheduling Research says - use the Scholastic Research Foundation paper studies to help educate and advocate decision makers Evidence based practice - use the tools you have at hand and the student success that you collect to forward the rationale for the need Collective bargaining issue - your CBC should be negotiating flex scheduling into your collective agreement if it’s not already there

Inflexible Scheduling Be creative! Look for opportunities to maximize the time you have. –in elementary: divide the class in half and do two activities at once –alternate weeks: use one week for book exchange, the next week to teach information skills –in secondary: trade classes –use your prep period: collaborate with teachers, help students, do administrative tasks

Prep Coverage You have the power - use prep coverage as library time for students. book talks, book exchange literacy initiatives research skills, library skills information technology skills information management skills

Ideas Kindergarten Journal Research Slideshow Forest of Reading book clubs Library skills Note-taking skills Software skills Project skills

Lack of Admin Time Make every minute count - have ongoing tasks at hand to work on Block off a rotating period a day Recruit volunteers Survey teachers and students for their wish lists for library purchases Collaborate by Don’t reinvent the wheel… SHARE!

Volunteers Library club - student volunteers Class room - student volunteers Community hours - student volunteers Parent/grandparent volunteers Student-teacher volunteers Community College/Co-op work placement students

Lack of Staffing Be proactive ! –join Canadian and Ontario Coalitions for School Libraries, People for Education –political action (letters, M.P.P.) –union action (educate rep, become a rep) –TL association meet with Director or senior administrators –parent council (speak, show) –use the evidence you collect to advocate for more time

Outdated Resources Weed collection to demonstrate need Create a collection development plan supported by statistics Incorporate resources as part of student success plan Have wish lists at hand; share them Demonstrate technological limitations Sit on your school’s IT committee

Lack of Budget Create a success plan that fits the school & board strategic plans Be proactive - ask your principal for money to support your success plan Present at Parent Council meetings regularly - ask for money & support TL association - present to trustees, senior administration Fundraise through book fairs

Be student oriented - kids count Be staff oriented - teachers count Be community oriented - parents count Use what you have to make it great Find opportunities to connect Charge Up

Kids Count Keys to making kids count: Create a warm, caring, inviting environment Interact with students Know students likes and needs Provide inspired, current, diverse collections

Kids Count Add zap to your program: SSR/DEAR Author visits Book fairs Web quests Thematic displays Battle of the Books Contests

Kids Count Offer informal program before/ after school, at lunch/recess: Reading time Book exchange Book clubs Help (for school projects)

Kids Count Help students to achieve higher academic success by having a research guide available for them when you’re not.

Kids Count Writing/Poetry club Drama club (puppetry, etc.) Hobby club Games club “Make and take” “Breakfast and Books” Pen pals

Teachers Count Provide “helps” for teachers when you’re not there. Plan collaboratively with teachers in advance of a visit Create visit notices clearly defining what the teacher wants to do in the library Create “pathfinders” for teacher use with a class

Teachers Count Send research materials to classrooms Display relevant resources for research topics Create easy to use organizers for teachers to use with students Trade classes for a period to teach skills

Teachers Count Don’t leave your colleagues to fend for themselves… Provide the helping hand to teach them how…in-service your colleagues on the 4 stages of research and your library’s resources (data bases etc.)

Teachers Count Share new resources at every opportunity Always speak briefly at every staff meeting Communicate regularly through principal’s bulletin, newsletters It will take personal time

Parents Count Partnerships with parents: Family literacy “Snuggle-up and Read” Volunteers Newsletters Evidence of student success Fund raising for projects

Community Counts Investigate the possibilities in your community: Contributions Guest speakers Advertising/promotion of events Fundraisers

Opportunities to connect Be part of every school initiative Be visible in school and public communities Celebrate: -National School Library Day -Forest of Reading voting day -student success (projects, literacy, awards, accomplishments, excellence)

Opportunities to Connect Sharing the Evidence of student success turn evidence into action research - share results display results video students in action share the process leading to success share collaboration

I know I can, I know I can... There are many things you can do to make and keep the connections electric Start with baby steps - no one can do it all - prioritize what, how, when You can do it - you are magic!