Thursday, May 12, 2016

Thing#33 Advocacy


This is one of my strong points. I document everything with photos and stories (in house). When I have an event,  I invite our  superintendent, administration , BOE and the district's public relations officer. She takes great photos , uses the school website, twitter and facebook to promote my programs.  I have contests, makerspace activities, etc.
I do not use social media. I don;t want the responsibility of what I write or any comments to effect my employment. Just playing it safe.  I really believe in advocacy to promote my library but not to convince parents and administrators that they need me or a LMS.
Thing # 32 collecting the data

I read some great articles for this topic and have concluded that I will create a survey in google docs and ask all the seniors to respond to questions about the program . Did they see a difference in the library over the 4 years. How their needs changed, and whether the high school library was able to meet those needs, etc. Also some questions that will help me see if they are college ready and will be comfortable in a college library.
Thing 31 Evidence based

I used to write a monthly report but I was told that it was not necessary. So I saved myself the trouble and stopped writing them. I have days of being pro evidence based and I get gungho and then I ask myself ,"why/", why do I need to show my worth ,or show that a good library media program and a certified LMS matters to students and staff.
 I also do a survey twice a year for staff and students. It usually ends up  being another opportunity for staff to ask me to buy something they think they need.
My best way to share my library resources and programs is during our daily COP , Communities of Practice meetings. Try being absent, whenever I'm absent, staff and students need me.