Two school librarians discuss their experiences in the role: What it is like to be a School Librarian How you can carve your own niche The ups and downs, challenges and rewards The job landscape Some golden nuggets of advice Presented by Michael Margerison and John Iona at CILIP's New Professionals Day, 10 Oct 2014 http://www.cilip.org.uk/cilip/events/cilips-new-professionals-day-2014

1. CILIP New Professionals’ Day School Librarian
CC Quinn Dombrowski https://www.flickr.com/photos/53326337@N00/5797565681/

2. Michael Margerison BA(hons) PgDipILM
•Librarian & LRC manager The Elmgreen School
•Bishop Douglas RC High
•Slough Central
•Isle of Wight Prisons
•Lancashire Library Services
•Librarian at Oasis Academy Enfield
•Gladys Aylward School
•Enfield College
John Iona BA(hons), MA, MA, MCLIP
CC Mi..chael https://www.flickr.com/photos/29120433@N03/5912574996/
@jionalib
@LibraryGoblin

3. What are we going to discuss?
•What it is like to be a School Librarian
–Generally – stereotypes vs reality
–Our own (unique) jobs
•How you can carve your own niche
•The ups and downs, challenges and rewards
•The job landscape
•Some golden nuggets of advice
CC Mikael Altemark https://www.flickr.com/photos/24844537@N00/337248947/

4. School Librarians? They are all middle- aged women who like ssshhh-ing teenagers, right?
CC Paul Howard https://www.flickr.com/photos/66141449@N07/7872337078/

5. What does a 21st Century School Librarian look like?
Tech-savvy Energetic Enthusiastic Passionate
Reader and lover of books
Communicator Patient
Vocal Independent
Self-belief Confident speaker
Learner Educationalist
Connected
CC David Mathis https://www.flickr.com/photos/72211182@N00/9731334346/

6. Sir, don’t you get bored being a Librarian?
When we aren’t in here, do you just sit and read all day?
Have you read all the books in this Library, Sir?
CC wajakemek | rashdanothman
https://www.flickr.com/photos/62674604@ N00/359538369/

7. What do we do all day?
Deliver CPD
Manage a budget
Deliver lessons
Induct students
Induct staff
Run clubs
Source resources
Curriculum support
Promote service
Open-access
Develop literacy and reading schemes
Supervise and manage student behaviour
Catalogue resources
Develop information literacy
Advise students
Cultivate reading for pleasure
Advise teachers and staff
Maintain Library Management System
Liaise with management and leadership
Teach
Mentor
Coach
CC Fygget https://www.flickr.com/photos/14999747@N08/4160055352/

9. A typical week(?)
Morn
08.00 – 08.40
LFT
08.45 – 09.10
P1
09.10 – 10.10
P2
10.10 – 11.10
Break
11.10 – 11.30
P3
11.30 – 12.30
P4
12.30 – 13.30
Lunch
13.30 – 14.10
P5
14.10 – 15.10
P6
15.10 – 16.00
16.00- 16.45
M
8X1
Y12 Chem
7Y3
7X4
6form book club
T
8X3
7X1
W
08.30
LD Briefing
8Y1
Y13 Chem
8X2
7Y2
T
7X2
8X4
8Y3
CPD
F
Y12 Media
7Y1
8Y2
7X3

10. The Mansuri Library

11. The Extended Librarian (what else do we do?)
Literacy Co-ordinator
Form Tutor
Careers Advisor Mentor
Study Skills Co-ordinator
EPQ Supervisor VLE Manager
CC Pulpolux https://www.flickr.com/photos/46425925@N00/360924736/

12. What opportunities have we had to extend our roles?
Information literacy development
Extended Project Qualification
Year 7 research projects
Information competency
Web-based resources for research support
Referencing and bibliography templates
CC Martin Fisch https://www.flickr.com/photos/45409431@N00/4400066715/

13. Some Rewards and Challenges
Working independently and having ownership of your service.
Managing your own workload.
Working with young people.
Providing people with a space that they value, feel safe and welcome, and learn in.
Setting off sparks of inspiration and engagement in readers that will influence them long into their adulthood.
Carving your own specialist role.
Being the only Librarian in the organisation and working “alone” much of the time.
Isolation.
Managing a very varied workload.
Dealing with negative attitudes and behaviours from students (and sometimes staff).
Being undervalued and unsupported.
CC Niels Sienaert https://www.flickr.com/photos/15441342@N03/3164133089/

14. The job landscape
What does a good JD look like?
What should you expect in terms of pay?
What should you look for in a job?
What might professional progression look like?
Where should I look for jobs?
CC Tommy Clark https://www.flickr.com/photos/93595942@N08/8962407330/

15. Support Networks
•CILIP SLG
•Local Librarian networks and meetings
•School Library Association
•School Librarians’ Network (Yahoo! Group)
•Twitter
CC Trina Alexander https://www.flickr.com/photos/19565307@N00/205857798/

16. CC Will Ockenden https://www.flickr.com/photos/31975807@N06/3430164569/

19. CC kleuske https://www.flickr.com/photos/96798515@N00/8004416109/
Any further questions etc tweet Michael @LibraryGoblin or John @jionalib