1. Know your job 

• Know what you have to offer from your professional training and education. 
• Use SLMSSENY (School Library Media Specialists of Southeastern NY), SLMS/NYLA (School Library Media Section/New York Library Association), ALA (American Library Association) and AASL (American Association of School Librarians). Among other services, they provide materials to promote your abilities, resources, and knowledge.  For example, Who Needs a School Librarian?  You Do!  http://www.nyla.org/content/user_19/libbroch%20.pdf (SLMS).

2. Build awareness of your library program especially with the building principal            

For example, The Principal’s Manual:  What a School Library Media Specialist Can Do For You

 from AASL:

           http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslpubsandjournals/aaslbooksandprod/principalsmanual.pdf

3. Listen and observe
• Don’t complain publicly, but keep notes on things that need attention or changing
• Offer solutions, present alternatives     

4. Find out what the budget process is:      

·        Deadlines                                            

·        History

·        Expectations

·        Procedures

5. Get in touch with former librarian if possible

·        for previous scheduling

·        room use

·        LMS availability

·        Previous library users (teachers)

·        Look at previous circulation statistics

6. Weed with discretion – papers (ex. back files), books                                                  

·        Find out about discard (de-accessing) policy in your building/district (reference the Board Policy Manual)

·        Rule of thumb – don’t weed your first year – observe what is used

7.    Don’t hide in the library                                                                       

·        Volunteer when possible                                  

·        Be friendly and flexible

·        Check out teachers classrooms

      8.   Create a welcoming environment – displays…chocolates…coffee       

      9.  Create and maintain regular communication avenues through

·        staff meetings

·        e-mails

·        newsletters

·        media moments – drop-in service to highlight what teachers expressed an interest in

     10.  Make yourself available to other teachers

·        lunch time

·        invite teachers in

·        Offer book talks and other activities in the classrooms

·        Offer to assist teachers in the computer lab

11.      Ask kids what they want; ask teachers what they want         

·        surveys

·        suggestion box 

·        book request list

     12.  Find a way to get information from teachers as to what subjects will be covered in the next month or two

12.      Consider the layout and change (if appropriate for you) – tables, movable shelving, etc. – as a way to let

        others see the space differently

14.    Get to know parent groups                              

·        encourage volunteering              

     15.  Get to know local libraries as resources for students and teachers – public, academic

15.    Know the technology people in the building and your district.  Find out each technology staff member’s

specific roles.

17.    Find out about BOCES support

·        web page for school library system

·        contact person

·        Set up an introductory meeting with your School Library System Coordinator and stay in touch with that person

18.    Ask for district policies and keep handy

19.    Know the Internet use/Internet safety policy                

·        Observe practices

·        Be aware of security  - materials, people, emergency procedures, room access (keys)

·        Ask questions

      20.  Have a policy in place for student teachers and subs to borrow books   

21.  Find out about programs in place that encourage community participation, such as:

·        Foster Grandparents, Kingston

·        Groups that use animals – therapy dogs, guide dogs 

·        Look for opportunities to initiate your own library-based community integration

**When in doubt, call an LMS colleague or the School Library System office**