[CASL-L] How quiet is your HS library? How to do you keep teachers coming in w classes?

[Mike McKenna]

Hi Stephanie,



Our HS library sounds much like yours: *busy*. Our situation and recent
staffing history isn’t that different either: down 1 LMS since the 2017-18
school year.



We were formerly a pretty strict, authoritarian space for near-silent
academic work only. I set out to make changes to cultivate an
authoritative, yet flexible space to enable a productive, social
environment for students. This backfired on us a bit with this
philosophical shift coupled with some changes to our library para staff (of
two); some opportunistic students tried taking advantage, and it led to
conflicts.



We just re-designed 4 key spaces in our library to create distinct Silent,
Quiet and Conversational Work Zones that will debut Semester 2 (tomorrow,
eep). The “soft-opening” of this design during current mid-term exams has
been met with mostly positive student response.



Paras are staffed at the front entrance to check-in Open Study and Study
Hall students, as well as supervise the conversational work zones. My desk
is in the middle of the library to provide library services to all and
supervise a bulk of the quiet work zones. A teacher on duty (when
scheduled), will be at a desk near the back of the library where we’ve
established our silent work zones.



Expectations for each zone are defined on laminated signage posted in the
area: Silent is for minimal, inaudible whispers at individual study
carrels, Quiet is for hushed group study at tables of 3 or 4, and
Conversational is for groups larger than 4 at flexible work spaces with
moveable, cushioned chairs to work (and yes, even some respectful “play,”)
at a moderate volume.



Technology can be used in any zone, provided the user has sound playing
through headphones only. We say “no gaming,” but honestly, if a kid is
quietly on their phone, using their own data, headphones in and not causing
a disturbance for any other student, our staff generally won’t interject.



To your question about keeping teachers coming in with classes, our school
is 1:1 with Chromebooks, so I teach in classrooms way more than I did 3
years ago and prior, where most of our instructional time was spent in
either of our library’s desktop-outfitted labs. Due to our LMS staff
reduction, I teach about 60% of the time throughout my work week. Most of
that will take place in a classroom with kids on their Chromebooks.



I understand staffing, space and technology limitations are real barriers.
I also think being flexible, positive, collaborative and open about the
process and goal you’re seeking to achieve for your school will pay
dividends; good luck!



*[image: Description: Description: Description: McKenna Signature]*

[image: Description: Description: GCE_Badges_02]*Mike McKenna, MLS, M.Ed.*
*Library Media Specialist*
Simsbury High School
34 Farms Village Road
Simsbury, CT 06070
*mmckenna at simsburyschools.net <mmckenna at simsburyschools.net>*

*(860) 658-0451 x. 161**Joe Townsley Virtual Library*
<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.simsbury.k12.ct.us%2fschools%2fshs%2flibrary-media-center&c=E,1,o9RLfsxxADKuzW437z4nu8PZcG4qPurYHPtlXhwY2O1s2oNCBU_TlvlZmbVkoI8hBOahhRXnrO_B3AXiVQtpgcgeaTz2EA_F1F4WXitUdXsissbIbgxpbGlRAus,&typo=1>



*From:* LaPlante, Casey [mailto:LaPlanteC at granby.k12.ct.us]
*Sent:* Thursday, January 23, 2020 9:07 AM
*To:* STEPHANIE PATTERSON;
*Subject:* Re: [CASL-L] How quiet is your HS library? How to do you keep
teachers coming in w classes?



Stephanie—



Hi! When I took over the library at GMHS six years ago, I changed the
culture from a strict, silent space where the students were pitted against
the staff, to an atmosphere of welcoming and moderation. We are mainly
hosting study hall students and tutors working with individual students.
Classes may come in to use the space, but I do not teach in the room—I go
to the classrooms for that for a number of reasons.

My main goal is to keep a respectful noise and activity level that allows
students (and staff) to work, study, read without distraction. This does
not mean silence, but it *does* mean that we shouldn’t be able to hear one
another’s conversations across the room. We sometimes have to remind
students to be respectful of the other people using the space, and if they
can’t stay moderately quiet, we send them back to study hall or class.

Mostly this works fine and we aren’t constantly punishing students. A
gentle reminder or a glare from the desk usually does the trick when there
is too much noise or moving around.



Good luck! Sounds like a busy place!



Casey LaPlante

Library Media Specialist

Granby Memorial High School



*From:* CASL-L <casl-l-bounces+laplantec=granby.k12.ct.us at mylist.net> *On
Behalf Of *STEPHANIE PATTERSON
*Sent:* Thursday, January 23, 2020 8:15 AM
*To:* casl-l at mylist.net
*Subject:* [CASL-L] How quiet is your HS library? How to do you keep
teachers coming in w classes?



Hello All Collective Library Brain!



Due to a staffing shift, our library is down to 1.0 LMS - me, and 2 PT
clerks that job share and basically assist from 8:30-2. We sometimes have
teacher duty support at the doors, but it is really not consistent or
reliable. They are either pulled to cover a class, or treat it as a prep.
The duty positions are supposed to monitor doors, check passes for
travelers and keep everyone in "library manners" mode. We have a 7000 sq ft
space above the cafe with 4 entry/exit areas - shaped like a rectangle.



We scan everyone in for attendance - every period (8 per day). Study hall
visitors bump up quite a bit during lunch waves- easily 100-150 with an
enrollment of 2100.  Lunch waves are periods 4-7- essentially half of the
day.



Last year, I was able to get out into classes a lot to work on research
instruction and coaching. With this change in October, I am now the chief
supervisor in the library all day and my ability to move around the
building has ended.



If the library is not quiet during the lunch waves, teachers will not come
in with classes. Essentially, that puts me out of business for half of the
day. I need to shift the culture to maintain my practice.



I'm meeting with an VP today during exams to talk about this, and it just
so happens the P is conducting assemblies with all grades at the end of the
month to review protocols for hats, earbuds, vaping, etc. I'd like to get a
message onto his presentation.



I prefer a softer sell than constant announcements and SHHHHing, and do
send students who can't be quiet to the cafe. But, that is not effective if
I am being observed or if I am working with a class.



How do other librarians create a culture that is quiet, productive and
welcoming?





Stephanie Patterson

Southington High School Library

"Building character with critical thinking, creativity,

 collaboration and communication."



tel: 860.628.3229 x 11335

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