The Independent Librarian: life at a private school library

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@s_elaineclark
#clacareer
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87884

The Independent
Librarian
Sarah Clark, Windward School Library, Los Angeles
California Library Association Conference 2011, Pasadena
UCLA Career Forum

http://wiffiti.com/screens/84436, text @wif84436 + your message to 87844;
Twitter: @s_elaineclark or #clacareer

After this presentation
you will better
understand…
• …what it is like to work in an independent school library.
• …how librarians can play an essential role within a
school.
• …the skills needed for school librarianship.
• …whether school librarianship is right for you.


WW at a Glance:
- Mar Vista, Los
Angeles
- Established 1971
- 540 students
- Grades 7-12
- 100% students from
class of 2011
enrolled in 4-year
colleges

Windward School

Center for Teaching
and Learning:
- New building
opened fall 2009
- Student and faculty
support space and
services
- AKA the CTL or the
Library

Windward School

Quiet retreat with comfortable chairs and tables for reading, studying and
contemplation.

2nd Floor Reading Room

Collaborative and social learning space with access to technology without
being dominated by technology.

1st Floor Research Center

Multimedia intensive classroom studio for film, graphic design, publications,
animation and other multimedia courses and projects.

Lower Level Digital Media
Commons

What students use and
check out

“This library has
everything!”

Study Rooms and Smart
Boards
Twitter: @s_elaineclark or #clacareer http://vimeo.com/31466105

Image by Open Eye, http://www.flickr.com/photos/openeye
• It must be nice to
“
read books all day!”
A Day in the Life

A Helpful Librarian:
• Catalogs books.
• Helps when students ask for it.
• Helps when teachers ask for it.
• Is knowledgeable about the
collection.
• Teaches lessons on citation, but
does not think of herself as a
teacher.
• Provides quiet study space.
• Doesn’t mind kids.
• Thinks of the library as a space
and materials first.

Becoming Essential

An Essential Librarian:
• Builds dynamic collections of
materials and online resources.
• Anticipates and responds to
student needs in and out of the
library.
• Seeks out faculty and engages
with them regularly.
• Establishes herself as the
research expert.
• Considers herself a teacher.
• Loves working with kids.
• Thinks of the library as student
and teacher services first.

Becoming Essential

Become the
CENTER OF
CAMPUS

Become Essential

Become a
RESEARCH
EXPERT

Become Essential

Ryan, History
Become a Teacher
TEACHING
PARTNER

Larisa, History
teacher and CTL
Co-Director

Become Essential Jordan, Theater
Twitter: @s_elaineclark or #clacareer teacher

Become a
STORYTELLER

Become Essential

IS SCHOOL LIBRARIANSHIP
RIGHT FOR ME?
Take the quiz and find out!


I enjoy working with kids. I am incredibly service-
I like a fast-paced work oriented.
environment. I like working in teams.
Wow, I wish I had summer and I challenge myself constantly
winter breaks! to do better work.
I enjoy work that ebbs and I am patient.
flows. I enjoy being creative.
I love learning new things. I want to have a say in defining
I read a lot. my role.
I enjoy working with I consider myself to be a self-
technology. starter

School Librarianship Quiz

I enjoy working with kids. I am incredibly service-
I like a fast-paced work oriented.
environment. I like working in teams.
Wow, I wish I had summer and I challenge myself constantly
winter breaks! to do better work.
I enjoy work that ebbs and I am patient.
flows. I enjoy being creative.
I love learning new things. I want to have a say in defining
I read a lot. my role.
I enjoy working with I consider myself to be a self-
technology. starter

If you scored 11/14 or above, you
could be a school librarian!

OKAY, MAYBE I WANT TO BE A
SCHOOL LIBRARIAN
What skills do I need? How should I prepare?


Essential: Desirable:
• Cataloging • Experience creating
• Ability to understand and supporting
and use emerging graphic design, film,
educational and new media.
technologies. • Teaching experience.
• Management • Website creation and
experience. management skills.

What skills do I need?
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87844; Twitter: @s_elaineclark or #clacareer

• Resilience • Intellectual curiosity
• Patience • Outgoing, attentive,
• Creativity professional demeanor
• Drive • Good sense of humor
• Desire to work with • Self-starter
young people • Excellent communicator
• Organization • Someone who wants to
• Love of reading and do it all: lesson design
learning and keep the library neat
and welcoming

What do you look for
when hiring?

• Cataloging
• Reader’s Advisory
• Information Literacy Non library possibilities:
Instruction • Ed-tech integration
• Research Methods • Web design and
• Internships, jobs or marketing using new
volunteer opportunities to media tools
manage, speak in front of • Graphic design
others, lead a group,
design and implement a • Grantwriting
survey, etc.

Which classes should I
consider taking?

Final Message of Joy: Charlie

THANK YOU! QUESTIONS?

Find out more about Windward School:
• ctl.windwardschool.org
• www.windwardschool.org
• @windwardctl


THANK YOU!

Contact me:
• sclark@windwardschool.org
• @s_elaineclark


The Independent Librarian: life at a private school library

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