We have between 20 and 50 students in the LMC every block. We also have a full time library assistant. Honor Roll students earn “unassigned” status and come to the library when they don’t have class. If they aren’t doing work, they manage to talk quietly or busy themselves on the computer. Additionally, students arrive from one to three classroom study halls each block. Students who are assigned study must get a pass from their subject area teacher ahead of time, report to study for attendance and then sign in to the library. They must not leave unless they sign out to an appropriate place and come right back (locker, nurse, bathroom, etc.). The system works pretty well in that we don’t have

When I teach lessons, I teach them in the adjoining computer lab or just as often I go out to a teacher’s classroom for 20 minutes or so to address a particular topic. This system works well because I have a full-time assistant. It is my belief that to be truly integrated into the school, each library, regardless of the size of the school, needs a full-time librarian and a full-time assistant. I feel just as committed to the students who are in my library to complete homework as I am to those I want to teach about research. If our libraries are truly to become learning commons, we can’t be closing the library all the time, preventing the kind of spontaneous learning like I saw today when 6 special education students and their aide popped in and sat down and learned how to make a PowerPoint. The library should be a place that is always open and always has the resources students need. Are we in the business of helping or hindering learning? My rant is not aimed at you, dear colleagues, but at administrators, one of whom I’ve been clashing with all spring as some of my assistant’s hours have been re-directed to other duties outside the library. The bottom line is, what we do is important! The lessons we teach to students are important! Supporting students trying to complete their homework is important! Unfortunately, I don’t know what the answer is except to continue to try to advocate for ourselves and explain, explain, and explain again what our role is.

Tracy Earnshaw

Library Media Specialist

Coginchaug Regional High School

P.O. Box 280

135 Pickett Lane

Durham, CT 06422

(860) 349-7215

(860) 349-7218 (fax)

From: casl-l-bounces@mylist.net [mailto:casl-l-bounces@mylist.net] On Behalf Of Nicole Giangreco
Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2014 12:53 PM
To: casl-l@mylist.net
Subject: [CASL-L] calling all High School LMS

If you are a High School LMS

I would love your feedback in regards to study hall students in your LMC.

What is your policy?

Does your school hold all study halls in your library?

Do classroom teachers have study hall and send students?