Stepping Up to the Plate
By Sandy Meagher

A school librarian's world is ever-changing. For 22 years, I've found that being open-minded, flexible and eager to learn are key ingredients to success. So many times we don't want to give up our precious free time, yet in doing so we find doors opened, experience broadened and new friendships created.

A simple plan
A few years ago I contacted elementary school librarians from the three surrounding school districts. We planned to meet at each other's school libraries once or twice a year. You can't imagine the years of experience, knowledge, understanding and friendships that have come from this simple plan. Each meeting included bringing a model library lesson to share and a new book we especially liked. Laura had a book club that worked well in her school and many of us adopted her ideas. Caroline had a great "Armchair Travel" end-of-year activity that combined research, writing and summer plans. Heather was an expert on software reading incentive programs.

The questions and ideas flowed. "How do you catalogue videos?" "What did you do to get a budget increase?" "Can we share the cost of an author next spring?" Our colleagues are great professionals, wonderful resource people and library friends.

Learning from fellow teachers
Our school district provides courses that can be used for certification and movement that are approved by the state and designed by teachers on our salary scale. The technology courses are always in demand. However, librarians need to step up to the plate. Our district librarians have taught courses on basic research skills and technology. This not only reinforces the necessity of school librarians and classroom teachers working together, it also allows them to set the wheels in motion. The courses that I have taught in the summer always introduced books to use across the curriculum. Not only do I enjoy presenting books and ways for teachers to use them across the curriculum, but I also love to learn from my fellow teachers in other buildings in our district.

Big rewards
Teachers are always so appreciative when I share a professional book with them. Every time I offer one to my staff, the rewards are many. They share them at grade level meetings. They talk to friends in other buildings and districts, and the learning goes on.

Some books that our teachers have been pleased with address writing. Notebook Know-How: Strategies for the Writer's Notebook by Aimee Buckner (Stenhouse, 2005, ISBN: 1-571-10413-5) is a goldmine of practical ways to launch a student notebook. This wonderful book includes mini-lessons that can be used throughout the year to help students become more skilled in keeping notebooks. This compact guide is packed with lessons and samples of student writing; a great resource for use with students in grades 3-8.

Back to the basics
Another super book for teachers working with a writer's workshop is When Writing Workshop Isn't Working by Mark Overmeyer (Stenhouse, 2005, ISBN: 1-571-10404-6). This book is full of templates to use with students before and after writing. It addresses basic needs of how to help students develop stronger vocabulary and word choice, assessment, revision, etc.

Lately teachers are asking for books that show metaphors, similes and other figurative language. A good book that has samples of excellent author use of figurative language is Books That Talk, Wonder, and Play by Amy A. McClure & Janice V. Kristo, Editors (National Council of Teachers of English, 1996, ISBN: 0-814-10370-7).

Making connections
As summer approaches, don't forget to inquire at nearby colleges and universities about summer courses in librarianship, workshops on reading, writing or other related learning experiences. I always remember the summer I attended the University of Pittsburgh and took a course taught by Mary Biagini, Ph.D on Contemporary Fiction for Children. It was a splendid way to connect with librarians and classroom teachers from many different places and also to utilize the wonderful libraries in the Pittsburgh area.

Striving for excellence
Pennsylvania offers four training sessions a year if you are a member of Access Pennsylvania. They are conducted at our intermediate unit. This is such an effective way to update librarians on new software, new books and technology, plus network with other librarians. Pennsylvania also has a state library association which has a wonderful conference each spring in Hershey, PA. It features the latest in technology, programs, librarianship and authors – plus exhibits with thousands of new books.

Being a member of this statewide group is a true honor for me. I have made presentations at these conferences, but for the most part it is always a mini-university lab of highly professional librarians working together and striving for excellence. Of course our national associations, American Library Association and American Association of School Librarians, also afford us world-wide opportunities as well.

As we come to the end of another school year, be sure to look back and realize all that has been accomplished, but also look forward to all there is to learn, update and grow in this amazing profession of librarianship.

Sandy Meagher is the Library Department Chairperson and School Librarian in the Wayne Highlands School District, Honesdale, PA.

May 2006, Vol.36, No.8