In my eighteen years as a school Librarian, my ongoing priority has been to provide the school community, students and faculty, with well-written, interesting, and accessible resources. To ensure that these resources, both print and online, meet the needs of the community they must not only be selected but maintained, and when necessary, weeded. Collaboration with departments and grade level teams is one of the best ways to keep the library collection and resources relevant. Accessibility for students and faculty must also include a library curriculum that assists the community in getting the maximum benefit of all the library’s resources.
The library collection should not only support the school’s curriculum but encourage and facilitate students to become life-long learners and readers. Reading is an essential skill that, like other skills, becomes easier and more enjoyable the more practice you get. I fervently believe that reading should be a pleasure and not a penance. One way to tempt reluctant readers is by using their interests and affinities to help them discover books that they will be eager to read. For example, I will ask what kind of movies they like to watch. If I know that, I can find them a book they are happy to read. I take great satisfaction in introducing the right book to the right reader.
As the sole Librarian, I have experience in all the practical aspects of running a library: not only in collection management, assisting in research, and supervising students and volunteers, but in crafting and working within a budget.
Being a Librarian is a joy to me and I look forward to working for and in a new community of learners. I am ready for the next adventure!