Staffing

Read for Staffing Session
//Linking for Learning//, p. 57-70 "Growing a Team" -[| http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leadtem.html]

**Session Agenda**
1. Housekeeping
 * Update on scored assignments
 * Questions on Upcoming Assignments
 * Action Plan
 * Portfolio
 * Opportunities
 * [|RFP]for ISLMA Conference

2. Update from Kiley. Strategic Planning at the Public Library.

3. Linking Literacy and the Community
 * [|Geneseo Schools and]//[|Candy Bomber]//

4. Principals Know: School Librarians are the Heart of the School media type="custom" key="25585164" Next week = virtual session on Outreach and Advocacy Perception of Administrators

5. Debrief on Collection Development Assignment Challenges? Successes? Process in Practice Question about adding staffing - considerations

6. What's in a Name? Do we have an identity crisis?

From ISLMAnet Our district is asking the "librarians" in our district to decide on one title that we will be called. Some of us go by librarian, some go by media specialist, some go by teacher-librarian... Does anyone know what the AASL protocol is? Is there a protocol? What do you go by? Is it district wide or just your personal preference?

One of many answers to this thread from Don Adcock: AASL board took a vote to use the term school librarian and school library in all their publications regarding the new standards. In fact it was changed between the first ans second printing The ISBE uses the term School Library Information Specialist for the our certification test. Betty Marcoux did a study in 2004 entitled "Brand Name: the Confusion of the Nomenclature of the Proessional in the School LibrarY and the Ramifications of the Confusion". She was able to locate 48 names being used by those working in s school library setting. The top 5 names in decending order of use were: 1) schoollibrar media specialist, 2) library media specialist, 3) libvrarian, 4) School librarian, and 5) Media specialist. Teacher-librarian did come in 6th. She pointed out that some terms are used simply for convenience, some for defining action, and some tradition. She states that, The naming of the profession in the K-12 school library settinghas had significant impact on understandings regarding the roles of that professional. When there is a lack of understanding such as illustrated in this report, the ability of the professional to constructively and positively impact student learning and educational growth is like to be negatively influenced." __ She strongly suggests that the "Name of school library professional seems to contribute to the contextual understanding of this individual in terms of expected performance and contributions by others in the educational arena. The professional's experiences are also impacted by the assumption of a name and that help tailor that individual' expectations of their work also __

7. Topic of the Day. **Staffing.**
= Position Statement on Appropriate Staffing for School Libraries =  The success of any school library program, no matter how well designed, depends ultimately on the quality and number of the personnel responsible for the program. A well-educated and highly motivated professional staff, adequately supported by technical and clerical staff, is critical to the endeavor. Although staffing patterns are developed to meet local needs, certain basic staffing requirements can be identified. Staffing patterns must reflect the following principles: All school systems must employ a district library director to provide leadership and direction to the overall library program. The district director is a member of the administrative staff and serves on committees that determine the criteria and policies for the districts curriculum and instructional programs. The director communicates the goals and needs of both the school and district library programs to the superintendent, board of education, other district-level personnel, and the community. In this advocacy role, the district library director advances the concept of the school librarian as a partner with teachers and promotes a staffing level that allows the partnership to flourish. Revised 09/01/2010
 * [|ALA Position Statement]**
 * 1) All students, teachers, and administrators in each school building at all grade levels must have access to a library program provided by one or more certificated school librarian working full-time in the schools library.
 * 2) Both professional personnel and support staff are necessary for all library programs at all grade levels. Each school must employ at least one full-time technical assistant or clerk for each school librarian. Some programs, facilities, and levels of service will require more than one support staff member for each professional.
 * 3) More than one library professional is required in many schools. The specific number of additional professional staff is determined by the schools size, number of students and of teachers, facilities, specific library program. A reasonable ratio of professional staff to teacher and student populations is required in order to provide for the levels of service and library program development described in //Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Programs//.

State of Illinois - [|School Recognition Rules] What's ideal? How would you work to get to the ideal?
 * Staffing Arrangements in School Libraries**
 * Certified Library Media Professional (SLIS, librarian, media specialist, teacher librarian)
 * Support Staff
 * Volunteers
 * student
 * adult

Volunteer Video media type="custom" key="25589334" Student Volunteer Programs
 * Using Volunteers**

Activity ---> break into groups and dig into one of the descriptions. DISPOSITIONS SKILL SET
 * Look at //Linking for Learning// Job Descriptions**
 * Model Job Description for Certified Staff - p. 58 -59
 * Sample Interview Questions - p. 60-61
 * Support Staff Model Job Description - p. 64
 * Sample Interview Questions - p. 65

[|Givers and Takers Study]


 * Reflection and Discussion**
 * What are you seeking in a good team member?
 * Describe your skills as a supervisor.
 * What are your strengths and weaknesses?
 * What do you think are the most important skills in supervising a staff?

8. Workshop Time - Portfolio Assignment [|ePortfolio Requirements] [|DUSLMP Requirements] Questions about Portfolios

Resources

 * ALA Position Statement on Appropriate Staffing for School Libraries - []
 * Staffing in School Library Media Centers - []
 * "Something to Shout About: New Research Shows that More Librarians Means Higher Reading Scores" from // School Library Journal // - []
 * Program Administration: Human Resources Management - []