I'm back from my live events and vacation! It's been a very exciting and fun-filled summer (except for the part where our vehicle broke down on the way home from Atlanta). I was able to get my new library lesson plans finished up and on the site on Monday. I've spent much of today planning some really exciting content for my blog and podcast. I'm also planning a webinar series that will start next week. Look for more information about the first one really soon!
With the first day of school quickly approaching for most of you (sorry to remind you...), I wanted to reach out and ask: What are you stressed about right now? Maybe you're a new librarian and you're totally overwhelmed (we've all been there). Maybe you've been doing this for a while and just need some fresh ideas.
Leave a comment and let me know what you are stressed about. I will use your comments to guide my content so I can make your life easier in the upcoming school year!
Sharron Mohr says
I've been taking classes to get my masters in Library Science but it's been rough, teaching 5th grade, raising two very active kids and taking classes. My husband travels so I'm running solo most of the time. I applied for an elementary library position but didn't get it, so I'm overwhelemed thinking about taking more college classes during the school year.
Nancy says
I have a brand new principal. She likes to micro manage and is pretty controlling compared to my last, ugh.
Gail says
This is will be my first year being a media specialist. I transferred from being a technology teacher to this position. It was a change I wanted to make but I have to admit I am very nervous about this new role. Layout of the library, should I do self check in/out, wanting the students to be excited about reading, are just a few of my concerns. I also purchased your year long lesson plans so that's not a concern that the students will not get the required standards. Thanks for all your hard work!
Nichole says
My library got a smart board at the end of last year (yay for that) but when they put it in, they demolished four of my shelves. So now I get to go through and find room for four shelves worth of books, as well as rearranging my entire table layouts and moving entire shelves full of books so I don't block the view of the smart board. AND I have to learn how to use a smart board...I am totally clueless. Still trying to hash out lesson plans and get an idea for stations and what to teach (I see classes k-5 back to back with no break in between grades - can have 1st grade, then 5th, then 3rd - so I want to use the same stations for each class, but lessons are overwhelming me). 3 weeks and counting... :S
Nancy says
Sue there are lots of free lessons for SB's out there. You might check to see if your district offers free classes. Ours does, and I've been trying to get one for years!
Sara says
I started as a media specialist in January of this year - after three years as a public librarian. It has been the best choice I made! I'm stressed about meeting kindergarteners straight out of Pre-K - when I met them last year, they were already half way through their year! I swear, I have stress dreams about that.
Library related - I have a small library. It's only the size of an extended classroom. I'm stressed about being able to create an accessible, well labeled library that the kids can navigate themselves. It's also the first year we'll be using Destiny/Follet. (The district is ........limited, obviously.) So I'm stressed about teaching it, but I know the kids will be so much more independent after I do! But to be able to do that - the layout needs SO much work. Right now all my fiction is shelved only by the first letter of the author's last name. OI. I have so much to do before September!
All this being said - your plans have been amazing. I purchased the fall set and it will give me so much time to focus on all this other nonsense. 🙂
Sue says
I felt just as you're describing when I started in the library 3 years ago. They were still using a card catalog - with cards! - and the books were in fiction / nonfiction order only. You won't be able to get everything done in one year. Just use Jocelyn's lessons and put books in Follett week to week and each year you'll be able to do a little bit more.... You're principal will be thrilled to have a real librarian who actually teaches skills!
Jocelyn says
Thanks, Sue! 🙂