{"id":689,"date":"2018-07-10T09:16:43","date_gmt":"2018-07-10T13:16:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kaslblog.com\/?p=689"},"modified":"2018-07-10T09:16:43","modified_gmt":"2018-07-10T13:16:43","slug":"i-got-the-job-now-what","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kaslblog.com\/index.php\/2018\/07\/10\/i-got-the-job-now-what\/","title":{"rendered":"I got the job. Now what?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Each year on the KYLMS Listserv we see emails from new school librarians who have just been hired for their first library position. \u00a0Beginning the new school year for the first time seems like a formidable task, but it doesn\u2019t have to be. You\u2019ve done the hard part. You\u2019ve earned your degree. \u00a0You have been hired as a school librarian. Now what? Here are my top ten suggestions on what to do as a new school librarian:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Question<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Meet your predecessor.<\/b> Often it is possible to meet with the previous librarian. \u00a0This can be very valuable. He\/she can walk you through the facility and show you where items are located and help with procedures. \u00a0Remember, you don\u2019t have to do things the same way.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Join the listserv. <\/b>Once you have access to email, join the KYLMS listserv<\/a>. \u00a0You don\u2019t have to post anything right away. It\u2019s fine to just read the discussions happening. \u00a0The listserv is a great way to find out what is happening in the libraries around the state and the current trends.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Check out your library.<\/b> \u00a0Look to see what resources are available. \u00a0Check out your collection. Is your fiction genrefied? \u00a0What library software will you be using? Find out how to log in to your system.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Try Out Your Software. <\/b>Once you can get logged in to your system, make sure you are comfortable in doing basic tasks such as checking in and out, adding patrons, adding new books, etc. \u00a0If you cannot, email the other librarians in your district, if possible, or contact the listserv for help. Another option is contacting the software company. Most have great videos and tip sheets to walk you through.<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Read through the policy and procedure manual if there is one.<\/b> \u00a0Look for selection and reconsideration policies. \u00a0Look for procedures for making purchases in the library. \u00a0Find out where to obtain the documents you will need to make purchases. \u00a0If there are no policies and procedures in place, think about what you want to implement. \u00a0Again, the other librarians in your district and the listserv are valuable support.<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Introduce yourself. <\/b>Three people you will want to meet and get to know right away are your school secretary, the school bookkeeper, and the custodian. \u00a0Be nice to them. You will want their support. <\/span><\/li>\n
  7. Create a digital presence. <\/b>\u00a0I recommend starting with a school library webpage and then expanding to social media (as district guidelines allow). \u00a0Your webpage is a great way for your students and staff to access resources beyond your library\u2019s physical space. Some school districts have strict guidelines on webpage creation. \u00a0Others are more open. Check with your school or district technology coordinator to find out what the policies are.<\/span><\/li>\n
  8. Join your professional organizations. <\/b>\u00a0KASL<\/a> is our state organization. \u00a0To join, you must first join the Kentucky Library Association and then choose KASL as your section (<\/span>http:\/\/www.klaonline.org\/<\/span><\/a>). KASL has a great mentoring program that I recommend that you become part of. \u00a0\u00a0I can\u2019t stress enough how important becoming involved in KASL has been in my library career. \u00a0I also recommend joining ALA (<\/span>http:\/\/www.ala.org\/<\/span><\/a>) and AASL (<\/span>http:\/\/www.ala.org\/aasl\/<\/span><\/a>). <\/span><\/li>\n
  9. Look for professional development opportunities. <\/b>\u00a0I highly recommend the KASL Summer Refresher on July 16 and 17 (<\/span>http:\/\/www.summerrefresher.com\/<\/span><\/a>). \u00a0Librarians from all over the state will be presenting sessions. \u00a0AASL has webinars available to members (<\/span>http:\/\/www.ala.org\/aasl\/learning<\/span><\/a>). \u00a0Also, watch the KYLMS listserv for regional professional development events.<\/span><\/li>\n
  10. Follow other librarians and groups on social media. <\/b>\u00a0Search #KyLChat<\/a> and #KyGoDigital<\/a>. \u00a0Follow @KASL_Librarians<\/a> on Twitter. Don\u2019t be afraid to expand your network to include other states. \u00a0#tlchat and #intlchat are two great examples. On Facebook, look for Future Ready Librarians<\/a> and the Kentucky Association of School Librarians<\/a>. \u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \"to<\/p>\n

    Take a deep breath. Let the staff and students know you are there to help them and start showing them how great you are. \u00a0You are going to have an awesome year! <\/span>
    \n<\/span>
    \n<\/span>Dr. Melissa Gardner
    \nSchool Librarian
    \nCampbell County Middle School
    \nMelissa.gardner@campbell.kyschools.us<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Each year on the KYLMS Listserv we see emails from new school librarians who have just been hired for their first library position. \u00a0Beginning the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":692,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[6],"tags":[19,40],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kaslblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/689"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kaslblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kaslblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kaslblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kaslblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=689"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kaslblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/689\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kaslblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/692"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kaslblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=689"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kaslblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=689"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kaslblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=689"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}