Our April book is Hacking School Libraries by Kristina A Holzweiss and Stony Evans. Over the last few months we have been reading this book. Please join in the conversation and add your thoughts in the comments below.
Discussion
Watch this TEDx talk and I will post questions in February... Think about how school librarians can support this process...
1. “Prepare to energize your library and ignite a passion for connection and learning” This is what that blub promised. Did this book do this for you and if so what was your highlight?
What this book did for me was make me realise that I am actually doing a good job. Many of the ideas discussed I have either tried or could see myself trying. When I finished it I really wanted to share it with other school librarians to help them understand that they can do all of this too.
@Elizabeth Yes, I agree. A lot of it is good practice; stuff we‘re all doing and have been doing, or know we should be doing! Although it did make me take a good hard look at my own library. I need to keep on top of the weeding, for example. Pretty obvious, but it does require putting time aside for it in a busy space. (I have a heavy timetable of lessons in my library, so this is not as easy as it should be.)
@micwag Thanks for joining in :) Yes time is a problem for many of us. I think keeping on top of it is the key and once you let it slip it becomes a much bigger job. Little and often sounds reasonable but sometimes there is not even that amount of time. Do you get time before and after school and holidays or do you only work term time only?
2. Each chapter has a ‘what you can do tomorrow’ did you feel these were realistic and if so which Hack have you already put in place or are planning to soon?
I particularly liked Hack 4, Empowering student leaders in the Library. I think giving your students a voice through creating a wish list is a simple and easy way to show your students they can have a say. I think displaying the books that have been requested by students is also a good idea. You could get them to review them too if they wanted to.
Hack 1 was not rocket science, but it was a timely reminder that I need to re-focus on weeding. Probadly need to check when I last updated the mission statement too! I’m intrigued also as to how I can incorporate more Maker Space ideas; something to consider.
@micwag I have always wondered about maker space but have not had the opportunity to work in a school that I could try it. The school libraries I support at the moment are either too small or are just not ready for it. I hope to do something similar in the future although there may be something else our there by then :)
3. Did you find the examples of how other librarians achieved these Hacks useful? What would prevent you doing the same?
I liked the idea of how to achieve the hacks although I do think it depends on your senior management team and the teachers in your schools. I think the biggest barrier is how you are perceived as a librarian in your school. If you are respected then these hacks are so much easier. If they see you as support staff it could be a whole different story.
Some were, although I think a lot were aimed at primary, rather than secondary schools. It’s obviously very American, so needs some adapting to work here. Having said that, I find that generally is the case. What works in one school may not work in yours for a variety of reasons, but with some tweaking it’s possible to come up with a working plan.
It was good to read about how it actually worked out in the real world.
Time and courage, or lack thereof, are what would restrain me.
4. ‘Over coming pushback’ looked at what might be said to prevent you trying something new. Do you think this will empower you in future conversations?
I thought the section on overcoming push backs was very clever. As I said earlier the barriers to moving forward can seem immovable. Having some of the answers ready for when they try and push back is fantastic. Some I had already thought of but others I had to smile and say 'why did I not think of that'.
It’s definitely worth considering, but funds are increasingly tight in school budgets. With the best will in the world, some things are just not possible. Teachers have been funding their own resources for ages - little money for text books or glue sticks!
@micwag yes I agree! Funding is the main issue everywhere these days.
5. Funding your school library is always a challenge. Do you think that the hacks suggested are useful? Can you share other ways you have raised money for your library?
I haven’t personally, but know local librarians who have funded through Amazon wish list to parent, which have been pretty successful. I’ve been pretty successful in Twitter book giveaways too - little victories! Students can be nominated for the Jack Petchey Award, and choose where their £200 prize money can go in school. The library has been on the receiving end of this a few times. Also I have worked hard to increase titles in areas like LGBTQ, Shelf Help, Young Carers etc and have had partial funding through PFS (Pupil Family Support) to enable this.
@micwag some great ideas! Yes we enter any win a book competitions and don't do too badly either. Some schools I know do a sponsored reading marathon for charity which is split between the charity and the library. I have seen many American librarians talk about book fairs where a company gives them books to sell. It seems to go down well but I'm not sure it is always worth the time and effort.
I read this chapter quickly as I didn't think it was as relevant to me. We've had books donated by the PTA (as it was then) and a lot of the furniture in the 90s but ever since I've had to ask the Governors for money for refurbs etc. I like the idea of an Amazon wishlist but I wonder if people would view that as a possibility to make judgement on the selection of stock? Would be interested to hear other people's experience of this.
6. Have you tried to connect your teachers globally? If you have what did you do and how did it go? If not do you think you will try after reading this book?
I have done some amazing collaborations globally. Teachers generally don't have the time so being the person who can find and arrange the connections has raised my profile within schools. I have helped school connect with students in India, Mexico and America. We have arranged for experts to skype into the classroom to answer students questions. We use these hooks to get into the classroom to teach research skills and creating a good question lessons. Giving students a live audience for their school work helps engagement and raises the quality of work produced.
Other than interaction on Twitter, (& Skype author events) this is something I’d really like to try. They mention the geography collaboration, which I first heard via Lucas Maxwell, (I forget what it’s called, but it’s a webcam/Skype classroom and the class has to discover where in the world each other is by asking questions.) I’d really like to try this.
@micwag You mean mystery skype! It is great fun. We did one with Alderney and Hot springs Arkansas. It is still one of the highlights of my career!
7. The importance of advocacy is highlighted in this book. Tell us how you advocate for your school library.
Once I realised how important advocacy was I started to push senior leaders to meet with me. I made sure that our service had a social media presence which makes sure that we are visible. We send out a termly newsletter by email too. It is important that you cover all basis. Talking face to face is one of the best ways. The problem is finding a time when teachers have time to talk to you.
I’m quite vocal about the library and what we offer within school; especially at staff briefings, assemblies, weekly newsletter, plasma screens around school, VLE etc (Well, there’s always something going on!) Author events and collaborations with primary schools are also sent to local press. I always write a termly library report to Head & line manager and of course there’s GreatSchoolLibraries.
@micwag Sounds like you have got it covered :)
8. Have you tried using social media to highlight what you are doing? If so tell us what you have done and share your blog or twitter name so we can follow.
Yes I do. I write a blog which I write to help me understand what I am doing and why. I started by writing for me and ended up really enjoying it. I write out of frustration but I have never posted immediately. I always walk away and usually take about a week to make something positive out of it, If others benefit from it that is a good thing. I can be found on twitter @elizabethutch
@Elizabeth I’ve found your blogs, this chat, and twitter really useful. I’m new to social media. This is because our Head has been quite against using school social media accounts. However, after hearing Lucas Maxwell speak at last summer‘s Guardian Reading for Pleasure conference, I really felt we were missing out on so much. I raised it with my Line Manager and insisted it became one of my targets for this year.
The compromise was, I made a professional library Twitter account, but with no mention of the school name. This does have it’s limits in what I can post, and I’ve only been “live” since August, but I’ve found it invaluable in terms of networking, contacts, ideas, free stuff and CPD, such as this.
I‘m @Libschool1 on Twitter, so please excuse any faux pas!
@micwag I am delighted to hear that you have managed to persuade your school to engage with social media. If I am not following you I will be now :) Thank you for joining in the chat and reading my blogs. It only takes one to make me feel that this is worth it. I am sure more will join in later.
I did think about letting pupils take books out over the Summer though probably not this year! There were a lot of 'crafty' activities and other things I just wouldn't have time to do though. I also haven't finished the book yet! So hope to do that and then will post more comments. As regards advocacy I have finally got a presence on the school website with links to the library catalogue. I also try to turn up to staff briefings and wave the flag for all things library. We also have a online bulletin where I advertise events etc.
Thanks for joining in the chat @s.holman. I think taking books out over the summer is a good idea. School that are worried about children losing books tend to say that most books come back and their worry was unfounded. These books are better in children's hands over the summer than on the shelves in the library. Maybe you could start with the shorter holidays.
I think you have nailed it! It is not possible for us to do everything but this books is more about maybe seeing opportunities that we had not previously considered. Even if one idea is taken then it is a win.
I'm glad you have started to get your library noticed and it sounds like you are in the right places. The school website is a place that parents will see you along with the online bulletin which is great! Being in staff briefings is so important too not only raising your profile but also allowing yourself to hear what else is going on in school is a great way to advocate.
I will watch out for future comments once you have managed to read the rest of the book.
@Elizabeth I still had lots of books go missing over the summer holidays, so I’m currently in the compromise stage. I don’t actively promote the loaning of books for the summer hols, but let the students who ask, to do so. I find I can have a conversation with them about returning the books in September and these always come back. I allow them to borrow more than the usual three fiction etc too and they go away feeling that bit more special; like theyre being rewarded.
in addition to this, its only the summer holidays - loans go out as normal for the rest of the holidays.