Scheduling

What a hot topic! Library scheduling seems like a short and sweet topic! Some folks think all school libraries are like public libraries, open access to all as long as the doors are open. Others think it is like the high school they went to, open access to all as long as the doors are open. Then one thinks of the elementary schools of the 1950's, you can't go to the library unless it is the scheduled time( which was probably a random time selected by an administrator who just has to get the job done). Elementary school librarians learned about open library schedules way back in the late 80's to early 90's. Open those doors, let teachers bring in students at their point of need. Schedule multiple time periods depending on the length of research time needed. Teachers and LMS were creating meaningful products which were utilizing Bloom's upper level thinking skills! We had it 'going on'! There were a couple of bumps in the road, Balanced Literacy with their huge book rooms, Standards of Learning skills which left out research components at several grade levels, but our creative and dedicated librarians worked hard to show teachers and students the right path. But alas, a new tiger is blocking the road. Did I say new? This tiger is an old tiger, he used to have a sheep overcoat! His name is Teacher Break Time. I see you smiling from here. Some teachers felt instinctly libraries were their break. They signed up for a library time and might even have discussed it with you, but it was cut and run at the door when it was their time slot. Others begged for a break time just to got to the bathroom (what is up with that anyway, shouldn't it be a right to use the restroom?). The tiger has a new promoter, well, not exactly. I see you nodding. Some nice folks in the big house in Virginia said, Elementary teachers should have 150 minutes of PLANNING TIME per week ( read break time). Oh, the teachers were so happy. Don't get me wrong, I was an elementary teacher for 20 years before I returned to school to complete my library coursework, I know it is hard to be locked in a small room for 6 hours with small children. My point here is bigger than that. The library is not part of that break time! To utilize one of the best and most expensive resources the school has, in the most MINIMAL way is not a sound instructional decision. I have seen scheduled library classes over and over again fail. Fail? Yes, fail. Fail to provide the utmost in strong library lessons. Lessons without the collaboration. Lessons without the appropriate time frame attached. Lessons without team interaction with the LMS and the teacher both teaching in the same space at the same time. Lessons where the content and the informational skills are not totally integrated. I would love to ask for your help, but the problem is you are way to busy making inappropriate schedules work the best you can for the students!