This document provides four rules for growing relationships with administrators: 1) Collaborate with classroom teachers, 2) Teach research skills, 3) Help students access books and information, 4) Create an inviting atmosphere in the library. It also suggests reflecting on areas of weakness in the relationship with administrators and how to improve them. Resources on the topic are provided.
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Care and feeding of adminstrators
1. Care and Feeding of Your
Administrators
Tamara Cox Monique German Kristen Hearne
2. Four Rules for Growing Your Relationship with
Your Administrator
25. 13%
12%
10%
9%
7%
1. Collaborate with classroom
teachers
2. Teach research skills
3. Help students access books
and information
4. Create an inviting atmosphere
in the library
5. Help faculty access books and
information
30. Right Now What is an area of weakness in your
relationship with your administrator?
32. Resources
Church, Audrey P. "Secondary School Principals Perceptions of the
School Librarians Instructional Role." School Library Research
13 (2010): n. pag. American Association of School Librarians.
American Library Association, Oct. 2010. Web. 15 Mar. 2013.
Kuon, Tricia, and Holly Weimar. "How Does Your Boss See You?: Proof
That Principals Value Librarians." School Library Journal. School
Library Journal, 4 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 June 2013.
Peterson, Karyn M. "Middle School Maverick: NYC Librarian Deven
Black on Partnerships, Principals, and Progress." School Library
Journal. School Library Journal, 28 Feb. 2013. Web. 14 June 2013.
Ray, Mark. Making the Principal Connection. School Library Journal.
School Library Journal, 31 Jan. 2013. Web. 18 March 2013.
Stoddart, Rick. "A Brief Statistical Snapshot of Idaho School
Principals." The Idaho Librarian 61.1 (2011): n. pag. Idaho
Libraries. Idaho Library Association, 2011. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.
33. Image Credits
Morguefile.com Images
Appleorange http://mrg.bz/pXIPpB
Ask Here http://mrg.bz/3xDfum
Binoculars http://mrg.bz/tstSTR
Handshake http://mrg.bz/9FV71O
Isolation http://mrg.bz/vJYdY3
School Wide Perspective
http://mrg.bz/9gznIl
Shouting http://mrg.bz/Yj8yUn
Stacked Coins
http://mrg.bz/fD0sGT
Telephone http://mrg.bz/aIQL7B
Two Pears http://mrg.bz/kxL7iF
Other Images
3D Team Leadership: The Gold
Guys.blogspot via Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/luma
xart/2137729430
Marching in Step: Moonlightbulb
via Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/moo
nlightbulb/4068308157
Transliteracy: Lemansy via Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lema
sney/4805123493
34. Tamara Cox
Librarian at Palmetto Middle School
coxt@anderson1.k12.sc.us
@coxtl on Twitter
Blog:
www.e-literatelibrarian.blogspot.com
Kristen
Hearne
Monique
German Librarian at Powdersville Middle
germanm@anderson1.k12.sc.us
@bibliogerman on Twitter
Librarian at Wren Middle
hearnek@anderson1.k12.sc.us
@KHearne on Twitter
Blog:
http://thelibrarianinthemiddle.blogspot.com/
Editor's Notes
#3: 1. Recognize what we have in common, 2. Communication and Building Strong Relationships, 3. Seek out principals biggest concerns and find out how to help, 4. Let Go of Misconceptions and Stereotypes
#5: M: They may be unbalanced. Principals and librarians constantly have to make decisions about allocation of funds, about selection of resources, and about fundraising for those items and activities not supplied through the school district. Our experience in comparing prices and reviewing products can help them as they make decisions about purchases, technology investments, and supplemental resources.
#7: M:We are the only people in the building that holds our respective positions
#8: M:We are the only people in the building that holds our respective positionsThey may be as frustrated as we are, but it is their job, as it is ours, to put these policies into place.
#11: K:Learn the language of administrators and even dress like themKeep your principals confidence
#12: K:Nonverbal cues (body language, facial expression, attitude, be conscious of clothing)Library appearance ( in the survey, inviting atmosphere mentioned but not organization of Dewey)
#13: K:Share successful lesson ideasInvite administrators to see these lessons. What is our administrators vision?In the survey teaching research was equal with inviting atmosphereIf our vision is for the library to have a flexible schedule we should be able to communicate the reasons for this to our administrators.Our idea of collaboration may be different from our administrators ideas of collaboration.
#15: K:Tamara gives monthly reports on library activities using SMores, Monique compiles library statistics for a yearly report to compare each year to the previous four. Then she talks with her principal about trends and changes that those trends have inspired.
#16: K:Tamara gives monthly reports on library activities using SMores, Monique compiles library statistics for a yearly report to compare each year to the previous four. Then she talks with her principal about trends and changes that those trends have inspired.
#17: K:Tamara gives monthly reports on library activities using SMores, Monique compiles library statistics for a yearly report to compare each year to the previous four. Then she talks with her principal about trends and changes that those trends have inspired.
#20: T:Common Core Secret WeaponAttend trainingStep up with ideas
#21: T:Research shows that school librarians impact student performance and impact teacher evaluations in a positive way.
#22: T:Crosswalk between Common Core and AASL Standards for 21st Century Learners (remind principals that these mesh well)The old excuse of I do books, not technology doesnt work anymore. If you are not a leader of technology in your school, you should be. Working with district administration on access to web tools (digital citizenship, ethical use, web 2.0 tools, wikis, etc.)District wide staff development
#23: T:Be a problem solver and find ways to make the library a part of the solution
#25: They walk in lockstep with the district office. They may not agree with district policy any more than we do.
#26: Many librarians feel undervalued, but when you survey the principal they do see our value.
#27: Principals want us to be more visible leaders, but we dont see ourselves as leaders.
#28: All principals are not alike. They have different personalities and leadership styles. It is important to know this so that you can tailor your program. You dont have to be their friend.
#29: The principals view of the library is affected by the libraries they have been in.
#31: 1. Recognize what we have in common, 2. Communication and Building Strong Relationships, 3. Seek out principals biggest concerns and find out how to help, 4. Let Go of Misconceptions and Stereotypes