We are discussing Leading for School Librarians by Hilda Weisburg at our online book club chat for January. Please sign up and login to join the conversation.
Discussion
Watch this TEDx talk and I will post questions in February... Think about how school librarians can support this process...
1. Before reading this book did you ever consider yourself as a leader?
No, I did not. I always equated 'leader' with 'manager' or 'boss'. Reading the book has given me a broader definition of 'leader'.
No, I have not. I know I can become a leader when there is no one else to do it, but I do not naturally step up to lead others. Now I will think differently about it.
As I am Head of Schools' Library Service I already thought of myself as a leader but very much in the way that @anniep156 said as I am the manager of my department. Looking at myself as a leader through the eyes of this book is a very different concept.
2. Did you feel that this book helps you work towards leadership or is it all a step too far?
It had a few good points and made me think about putting myself forward for others to see what I could offer. Some things seemed obvious, but they still made me focus on further planning.
@madvidgen I agree! As I read through this book I did think to myself a few time 'oh I already do that'. I felt that this made it very comforting to read so when I got to a part that I was not doing it made me feel as it was possible. I also liked the way the leadership journey was taken in stages so you could do as much or as little as you wish to start that journey.
It helps that this book was written specifically for school librarians so all the tips and ideas given there are very relevant and specific - and all very do-able. I have found the book very helpful as I step into a new role at my school this year. I agree with you @Elizabeth re the leadership stages - it makes the whole process a tad less daunting.
3. What was the most enlightening idea in this book for you?
It was the realisation that I am already doing many things Weisburg advocates, but without realising that those are leadership attributes.
For me it was the chapter about witting a mission statement. As someone who has written a mission statement I went straight back to mine after reading about them in this book. Simple suggestions like keep it in the present tense, using strong words and making sure I keep it up to date made so much sense to me. Mine is now under reconstruction :)
I also realised I do much of what Weisburg advocates - but I was also writing the library policy at my school and also changed my mission statement!
4. As many of you are lone schools librarians can you honestly see a genuine journey to leadership in front of you? Does this book inspire you to at least try? If you are not a librarian can you see the ideas in this book adaptable to your profession?
It certainly inspired me to look differently at my position. It gave me a boost to start working towards being recognised as an asset and to behave with more confidence. I know that I am doing a good job, but the trick is to make others aware of that as well.
@madvidgen That's what advocacy is about. Think what the teachers' NEED/WANT rather than trying to tell them what you can do.
@Hilda Weisburg thanks for joining in Hilda! I agree I am always being asked what can I do that the teachers can't do for themselves and this is a difficult question to answer. I think your book gave some very useful ways to tackle this . You make a very important point @madvidgen! Raising your profile is so important and helps teachers understand what you do so they feel confident in asking you for what they need. I think it is a bit of a circle but a good circle to be part of.
5. What challenges do you feel could prevent you becoming a leader and is there anything you can do about it?
One challenge is to encourage teachers to work with me. The book provides some tips on how to deal with that. I think that risk-taking might be the biggest challenge for me.
@madvidgen Look for small risks to build your courage and your credibility.
I think you are right @Hilda Weisburg it is from the small risks we take that we can see that even if we fail we can still get up and start again. I think recognising that this is your biggest challenge @madvidgen is your first step forward. I am very much a try it and see kind of person. I know that not everyone is like this but if you can find this in you will be amazed at the things you end up doing that you never believed would be possible. That is what is so good about school librarianship is that there is no rule book. Whatever your skill is work with it and see where it takes you.
6. School Librarians need to be advocates for their profession. Did you realise this when you started working in your school library and how do you feel about adding this role to what you do? Non-librarians does your role enable you to advocate for school libraries and if so why is this important?
No, I did not. I started working in the library before the financial crash and I could not imagine a world without libraries. For me they are as essential as schools. But I did not realise not all viewed them this way. Now, more than ever, we need to prove our usefulness by stepping forward.
@madvidgen I agree! I am often shocked by the lack of knowledge of teachers and senior leaders about the importance of school libraries. Advocacy has become a huge part of what I do. I have found a positive response to what I say and it often leads to working with teachers that really did not know what I could do. School libraries are essential for literacy and research and our advocacy can not only help our cause but also allow us to work with the students we support.
@Elizabeth
Hi, sadly I haven’t managed to read the book, but I’ve been interested in the discussion. Hope it’s still ok to comment!
I agree, when I first came to post I had no idea how my role would develop and the need for advocacy. My school library was in need of some TLC and I had to work hard to raise the profile. It definitely seems that we have to consistently shout about what we do and what we can do to help teaching staff (& obviously students).
7. Finally, after reading this book has your interest been piqued about leadership for school librarians. Would you consider reading more on the topic in future?
There are so many books on my TBR pile that I am always short for time, but I will read about leadership if an interesting books comes my way.
@madvidgen mine too :) I think what I liked about this leadership book was that it is for school librarians. Many leadership books come from a business perspective which makes it very difficult to see the link.
Yes - the fact that this was aimed at us made it so much more relevant and I could see where I could make changes to my working.