K-12

=K-12 Media Specialist=

This K-12 school's enrollment was 659 students last year. I was interested in talking with its media specialist because she is in the same type of school as I am. She is currently in her 40th year, so she has seen many changes over the years.

Before the interview, she gave me a tour of her facilities. It is an odd-shaped library with separate areas for the elementary and junior-senior high. The elementary area has a story time area. She keeps props for story time on top of tall shelves along the wall. For the first graders, she has small plastic baskets of books (hard cover and paperback) on the tables. These books are sorted by reading level according to lexile for Reading Counts, but are not kept in a specific order. The baskets help the students flip through the books without any worries about organization.

She also has a couple large boxes for the popular books. The Rosie books are in a box; another box holds popular books for guys. Instead of constantly shelving these books, she has them in designated boxes. Students often make a beeline to these boxes when they enter.

**Q. Tell me about the collaboration you do.**
I collaborate informally; I don’t keep track of things.

I will show students or teachers how to use Inspire.

With the seniors I help them find their own books and materials. They need to be able to find materials on their own. I will do inter-library loan if they tell me the book title.

**Q. Tell me about your OPAC, website and other** **technology.**
We have one full-time computer designated for the OPAC, but it is accessible from any computer. I had considered piloting Evergreen, but when I found out what all we had to do to prepare for it, I knew we couldn't do it. We'd have to clean up our catalog and I don't have time for that.

I don't subscribe to any extra databases; we just use Inspire.

My website is managed by the technology staff. I need to update some links.

For AV, all of our classes have TV/VCR but not LCD projectors.

**Q.** **What reports do you turn in? Who do you seek approval from for new programs?**[[image:highcircboxes.jpg width="284" height="215" align="right" caption="High Circulation Boxes"]]
I don't turn in reports unless I have to. I used to think I should do an annual report, but I don't do it. With 39 years of experience, they believe me when I say I need something.

I make sure the principal sees me having fun and interacting with kids. I see myself as a kid person not a book person.

**Q. Please tell me about your policies and procedures**.
I do not charge fines. The high school students can check out books for six weeks. Elementary students have a two book limit.

The chronic losers are not allowed to borrow books. They can come to the library to read books, but cannot leave with them.

**Q.** **Tell me about your collections.**
I have Playaways I need to process so I can circulate them. I purchased titles with specific students in mind.

For books, I use Barnes & Noble, Follett, Baker & Taylor (good discount), and The Distributors from South Bend. The Distributors give me a 33% discount and free shipping.

I have a large budget for magazines. I use EBSCO subscription to order. My magazines include //BMX//, //Four Wheel//er, //Zoobooks//, //Time//, //Sports Illustrated//, //Snowboarder//, //Skateboarding//, //Ranger Rick//, //National Wildlife//, //Girls' Life//, //Boys' Life//, //Mailbox//, //Instructors.//

I use route slips to send magazines to teachers before storing them. (Older magazines go into a large box in the center marked "free". Students don't have to check them out. They can take them to cut up, read, etc.)

I also subscribe to USA Today and the papers from Rochester, South Bend, and Plymouth.

I weed infrequently, mostly books that are damaged and I can repair them anymore. And the last couple of years, I've been weeding when I do the spring "inventory." Anything that is old and not read much anymore..ie. "period fiction" and out of date non-fiction.

**Q. Tell me about your schedule and how you use your time.**
Any kid can come any time and get help.

For my schedule, I have classes in the afternoon. I see all the elementary classes every week. I read a story and share anything else interesting. They also have time to pick out books. The teachers don't just drop off their students; they stay and help.

Like I said, I am a kid-person. I have a collection of books to be processed because I feel it is important for me to interact with the students. Any media specialist who doesn't have a backlog of books to process is spending too much time away from students.

I love the K-12 mix; it enables me to serve all.

**Q.** **Please share any advice you have for renovation.**
Put circulation desk in the center. You need one desk built for both age kids -a lower section and a higher section.

You also need lots of visibility so use lower level shelves.

**Q. Tell me about your aides and student helpers.**
I have a part-time aide who has duties elsewhere the other part of the day.

I choose the student helpers. Our guidance office helps me get good students. They come to help in the media center instead of having study hall. My students are a great help. They do all the high school circulation. We also celebrate their birthdays with treats.

**Q. Tell me about your budget.**
I have $5-6,000/year for books. My magazines budget is huge. I think others use it as well, such as the administration. I have a couple thousand each for supplies and AV. If I need more, my administrators can usually find more for me.


 * Q. Tell me about your programs and events.**

I push the Young Hoosier Book Award nominees and Rosies. I book talk all the Rosies to the high school students. I read the Young Hoosiers to the elementary students. I at least read enough so that all the students can vote.

For the fourth through sixth grade students who read all 20 Young Hoosiers, they get to go on an incentives trip in the spring. This trip includes pizza, a movie based on a book, and a trip to Barnes and Nobles. Each student gets to pick out a book to keep.

For book fairs, I tried Usborne books last year and loved it. The local representative set up and ran the fair. We scheduled it during events in the auditorium and sold most of the inventory.

This year we are trying a book fair through Lowery. Our seniors all have to do a senior project, so one of my helpers is in charge of this book fair. He chose the dates - when games and events are happening - and will set up and run the book fair.

**Q.** **What professional organizations would you recommend to me**?
AIME is a great organization. Are you on the listserv? (yes) It is a great resource and a great way to get your questions answered. I represent AIME for the Indiana State Library Advisory Committee; we have quarterly meetings plus I review grant applications for LSTA grants.

I go to the CYPD conference every year. It is also a great way to learn about new books and network.

**Q. What advice do you have for me?**
Get administrators on your side; they //**love**// to problem solve. Tell them what your goals are and ask for them to help you make it happen. Go to your principals and tell them, "We need to make this happen."

You need a set schedule for your elementary classes. You need to see them every week and share your enthusiasm for reading. Have fun with them!