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!

Mike McKenna, MLS, M.Ed.
Library Media Specialist
Simsbury High School
34 Farms Village Road
Simsbury, CT 06070
mmckenna@simsburyschools.net
(860) 658-0451 x. 161
Joe Townsley Virtual Library

From: LaPlante, Casey [mailto:LaPlanteC@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@mylist.net> On Behalf Of STEPHANIE PATTERSON
Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2020 8:15 AM
To: casl-l@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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