A Library Visit

Last week, I visited a primary library. It was new and it was great!

Visiting other school libraries is a wonderful of seeing what other TLs do and learn from each other. It allows for an exchange of ideas, contacts, information, goodwill and so much more. Holding network meetings in the different network member libraries is a fabulous opportunity for sharing and I look forward to attending them if ever I am employed as a TL.

I wanted to record some of the things I saw in the library I visited last week, so that I don't forget them.

First impressions count! Even though the library had lots of resources, it felt welcoming and open.

You could tell that the TL had a big say in its design. The space was not that big but it was well-designed. The majority is for the children's book collection and there are areas for children to sit (either by themselves or in a small group or as a class) scattered all the way through. There are ten computers in different areas. Four are dedicated for the OPAC but the other six can be used either as an OPAC or for games (from the ones on the school website) or research or homework. There is also a bank of thirty computers in a room on the side that can be booked for lessons.

I was really impressed with how the collection was managed. All resources are in the catalogue and organised in such a way that they are easy for people to find. There is a big space and table right next to the resources. The TL has done everything she can think of to make this space friendly and welcoming. She invited the teachers to have their planning meetings there and because the TL is in the library at the same time, she is invited to join these meetings. A great way of collaborating and giving the teachers immediate access to the collection.

Another thing they have done is they have put the photocopier in place in the library where the teachers have to walk through the entire library to use it. That way they see what is going on and walk past displays. It is kind of like where the milk is placed in the supermarket, right at the back of the shop, so that the shopper has to go through the entire supermarket. On their way through, they might buy something extra.

A great space in this library is the "outdoor room". This really helps keep the noise level down in the main part of the library as the students who find it hard to use an indoor voice have a space to go where they can a big voice, yet still be part of the library.

I was also impressed with the library monitors' program the TL had going. She and the students were so well organised. They each have jobs to do, which changed frequently. They are treated like real employees in the sense that they had a "sign in" and "sign out" card and they must keep track of the jobs they do. Some of their jobs include checking out and returning books, shelving, crowd control, tidying up and planning activities for the users to do/play when they visit the library. I am sure they do much more but that is all I saw on the day I visited. The upper primary grade children (years 6-7) are monitors and it is a great way of allowing students who don't fit that well in the school find a safe place.

It is a vibrant and busy place that is the centre of the school community.