Surviving your first year: Strategies and tips that will get you through your first year as a Library Media Specialist.
I'd like to conclude my assignment #4 with this article written by an elementary school Library Media Specialist, Katie Cerasale-Messina. It seemed appropriate as in a few short weeks I will be beginning my first official librarian job for the Vancouver School Board. Needless to say I am very excited, but also quite nervous.
The article begins in a similar style to Margaux DelGuidice's article on advice on how to avoid TL burnout. It tells a story of how first year TL Cerasale-Messina ends up feeling frustrated and disappointed in how the school library is coming along. She is behind in shelving and administrative duties, feeling low energy, and just about burned right out. Out of her negative experience however comes an urge to teach others to avoid the mistakes she did and to follow some of her strategies on how to make it through the school year.
-take your time to master one skill at a time
-short staffed, no problem
-keep organized data
-sing your library's praises
One issue that this article brings up is the matter of what I will refer to myself as: teacher librarian or library media specialist? The latter seems to be more appropriate for the 21st century library. What do you think?
Surviving your first year: Strategies and tips that will get you through your first year as a Library Media Specialist. Cerasale-Messina, Katie. Library Media Connection, Aug/Sep2010, Vol. 29 Issue 1, p30-30
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