BubbleUp Classroom
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • Presentations >
      • Empower17
      • Thesis ALIVE!
  • READ
    • What's the Scoop? >
      • Landmark Supreme Court Cases
    • Reading an Artifact
    • Reading an Image
    • Emoji Notes
    • Sketchnotes
    • Sharing Books with Kids
  • WRITE
    • Thesis & Essay Writing >
      • Thesis Writing Workshop
      • Fairy Tale Grab Bags
      • Essay Roadmap
      • Essay Outline Generator
      • Other Thesis Ideas
    • What's the Scoop? >
      • Landmark Supreme Court Cases
    • Poetry Beyond English Class
  • CREATE
    • Think, Build, Tweet
    • Sketchnotes
    • Ordinary Objects
    • Think Outside the Box
    • Poetry Beyond English Class
  • WORK WITH US
    • Testimonials

Thinking about becoming a school librarian? Read this first.

4/24/2017

24 Comments

 
Picture
School librarian -- it's a fantastic job. I feel confident that I, unquestioningly, have the best job in the school (okay, maybe I'm tied for best job with my co-librarian). I love talking to people who are considering a school library media certification and helping to grow our incredible profession. 
But I get concerned when I hear that someone wants to be a librarian because they are tired of teaching,  because they want a desk job, because it's less work.  Because, well, it isn't.  Every level is different -- I speak with the voice of a middle school librarian. And I really want you to join this magical field, but I want you to do it for the right reasons.
PictureMy co-librarian hard at work, teaching a literacy lesson.
Tired of teaching?
​
​
If you are are tired of classroom instruction, school librarian is not the job for you. Sure, we don't have to manage huge amounts of parent communication (some librarians at other schools ARE on the master schedule, teaching technology classes, reading classes, yearbook classes, research classes). We may not do as much grading (although I know that 9 out of 10 of us offer to do grading for the instructional components we support) but we DO spend a whole lot of time teaching. Sometimes I teach seven out of seven periods in a day, without a planning period or lunch. I run a busy, instructionally-focused middle school library and we often have two or three classes in the library at a time.

Our kind of teaching is very different from that of a traditional classroom teacher -- I have different kids every day, different subject areas, every day. We collaborate across the curriculum and I find that I often have to change my teaching style to align with the teacher with whom I am working. And sometimes I wish for the kinds of relationships that classroom teachers have with the students they see day in and day out.  Are there days when I don't teach? Yes. And I spend those days handling the administrative tasks required of a large library program: ordering, reporting, planning, drumming up business (outreach), managing the physical space, tech trouble-shooting and more. In short, don't make the choice to become a librarian because you think teaching is too difficult or exhausting, because if you do the librarian job right -- you'll be just as busy in a library as you are in the classroom.

Want a desk job?

Teaching is hard work, absolutely. Some days, I know that teachers don't sit down. I get it. And I get it because I actually never sit down either (I don't have a chair, so that helps). It's not uncommon for me to get to the end of the day and realize that I haven't even been to the bathroom since I left my house in the morning (#bladderofsteel). I move from teaching a class to helping a student find the perfect book to attending a CT meeting to co-planning with a colleague to curating resources to troubleshooting a printing issue. Don't make the choice to become a school librarian so that you can sit behind the circulation desk, checking out books all day. Don't make the choice to become a librarian so you can hide in the stacks on a rolling chair, shelving books month after month. 
Picture
Dying to work less?

Teaching is a job that takes an incredible amount time. Every good teacher that I know spends many evening and weekend hours working way beyond contract, grading and planning, attending professional development sessions, learning and growing, with their students always at the top of mind. And so does every good librarian I know. 

I am incredibly lucky that I don't feel like the work I do at home is torture (I also know that I come from workaholic stock and I can't help it). I enjoy reading young adult lit. I like to participate in evening Twitter chats with educational colleagues. It's invigorating to attend an edcamp on a Saturday morning. I am often kept up late at night trying to figure out ways to convince library non-believer colleagues that we can support them and their students. I lose sleep over budgets as we work to keep a large library collection relevant and diverse and current. Do I sometimes wish that an idea that changes Monday's lesson completely comes to me before Sunday afternoon? Of course I do. But as is the life of any educator, that doesn't always happen. Don't make the choice to become a librarian because you only want to work bell-to-bell. 

The case for becoming a school librarian

So, why should you become a school librarian?

Become a school librarian because you love teaching and learning and teaching kids to learn is the best way to empower them. 

Become a school librarian because you want to create a safe space for your students to read and think and create.

Become a school librarian because you like to collaborate with colleagues, planning meaningful instruction for all students across all content areas and academic levels.

Become a school librarian because you want each day to be different from the next.

Become a school librarian because you are good a juggling a million things at once.

Become a school librarian to build and grow the kind of library that your students and staff deserve.


​Become a school librarian because it's the best job in the school. I promise.

​-Gretchen

You might also like:

  • You think you know what librarians do? Sorry, but chances are...you're wrong. (October 22, 2016)
  • New Teacher? Start Here! (August 16, 2016)
  • New Librarian? Start Here! (August 9, 2016)
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
24 Comments
Julie
4/26/2017 09:23:24 pm

Yes. This! All of it! Thanks for putting into words what we believe! Sincerely, an elementary teacher-librarian

Reply
Gretchen
4/26/2017 09:54:27 pm

Thank you for reading the post -- so glad to hear that it resonated with you!

Reply
Barbara Combes link
4/27/2017 01:15:22 am

The TL role is a dual one - teacher and information manager (aka librarian). It is evolving as technology evolves, includes a curriculum design and teaching role as well as the ability to manage a virtual and physical library. It is complex and time consuming and definitely not for the faint hearted. It is the best job in the school, but you will teach and interact with all students and all staff, not just a class or three. Be prepared to be challenged and become a practising lifelong learner. :) BC

Reply
Gretchen
5/24/2017 08:01:10 am

Absolutely! We do so many different things!

Reply
Libby
5/1/2017 02:43:10 am

Totally agree.You gotta be hands on and absolutely creative for this job position. No way around it

Reply
Gretchen
5/24/2017 08:01:37 am

Exactly -- "no way around it!" :)

Reply
Julie in Germany
5/1/2017 03:31:33 am

Thanks for the article. I'm just starting on my journey to become a school librarian. (First MLIS course beginning in 3 weeks.) After working 7 years in an international school as the assistant to the elementary school principal I've longed to teach and am looking forward to learning the skills I will need to join the fascinating, challenging, ever changing field of teacher librarian:)

Reply
Gretchen
5/24/2017 08:02:25 am

Your adventure has just begun! Welcome to the field!

Reply
Angie
10/24/2018 08:57:31 am

I think the role of the librarian is evolving as it should. If a school already has credentialed teachers teaching Computer science and English the librarians job isn't to teach the classes instead of teachers. I have seen elective teachers ...art and music or drama get cut so the librarian schedule can increase time with core academic classes. As much as I feel librarians are essential ...their survival does not mean replacing electives teachers in a schedule. Art , photography and drama taught by experts help students get a holistic education.

Rae
11/1/2017 11:09:25 pm

Hi!

I would love to hear more. I am a first year teacher, but I have always wanted to be a librarian. I have a family member in education who suggested I get my M.Ed + teaching cert before adding a library media endorsement to ensure job security.

Although I enjoy teaching, every time I walk past the library I dream of being in there. I have so many ideas and thoughts on how I can make our librarian more engaging and full at our school. Our librarian is great, don't get me wrong. But she is getting close to retirement and I'd like to take over when she does.

Because it's my first year, I am not sure how to approach this topic with my admin. I'd love to hear what you think!

Thanks!

Reply
Rae
11/1/2017 11:14:03 pm

I have a typo!!! I meant to say engaging LIBRARY! Our librarian, again, is fantastic! But, she is a little old school. I want our library to be the heart of the school.

Thanks again :)

Reply
Gretchen
11/7/2017 06:39:22 am

Rae-

I think you should go for it. Not that you need to start planning your current librarian’s retirement party or even talk to your admin yet. But a few things that could get you started:

* collaborate with your librarian—plan a lesson or two together for your own students

* be a library advocate from your classroom — encourage other teachers in your building to work with the librarian. Share the lessons you plan together with other grade level colleagues.

* Look into what you need to do to get a SLM endorsement in your state. Start taking one class at a time.

You might be anxious to get into the library but your time as a classroom teacher will set you up to be a strong instructional partner at your school! By advocating and sharing library successes now you are also setting up the librarian for success in the future, whether it’s you or someone who is a lot closer to retirement.

-Gretchen

X
12/22/2017 05:25:33 pm

Yeah, just go for the easy job and be something like an engineer.

Reply
Dani
2/16/2021 09:46:56 am

Haha I’m a Software Engineer, who is reading this article, because I’m burning out at my job. But I realize librarians have a hard job too in different ways. :)

Reply
anonymous
12/20/2018 05:48:33 pm

Except it's not the best job... it's the worst. If you are new at it, that is. In every school I've been in, the new librarian is expected to do 3 times the work that the old librarian did. A tenured person who's been there 20 years, and who has done pretty much as they pleased, retires, then they hire the new person and basically make their lives as difficult as possible. Position are also routinely eliminated or combined when someone retires. I've been required to do a physical activity club (???), teach extra classes to fill in "empty" spots in my schedule (although I had no aide to do shelving for me), I've been insulted by staff who feel they should have a say over my schedule or treat me as a glorified clerk. My current district waited until late November to give me access to a printer or teacher computer, or an SLS - I don't even have keys to my 3 libraries (yes, 3 ) in case I have to lock down. It's not just in one place, it's like this almost everywhere now. After several years of giving it my best, I doubt I will last another month at this point.

Reply
Gretchen
1/28/2019 03:31:10 pm

I’m so sorry that you have had such a hard time! Have you tried connecting with some online communities for support? I really like the Facebook Groups Future Ready Librarians and The School Librarian’s Workshop.

- Gretchen

Reply
Eden
3/14/2019 02:15:30 pm

I really want to become a school librarian, but wasn’t previously a school teacher. I’m just not sure where I should start. Could you help?

Reply
anonymous
9/26/2020 11:34:52 am

DO NOT do it! I've worked in 4 different districts as a librarian and it's been miserable in all of them. You will receive zero respect, will have the details of your job changed on you yearly, you will be evaluated on only a small portion of your duties, and you will be disrespected by admin and teachers alike. You will hear "well the last person was here for 20 years" and find out they did half the work as you (because they were tenured). If you are going to go into education, You are better off as elementary self-contained. At least then you only have to deal with a small number of students and will have a fairly defined curriculum with plenty of curriculum materials. As a librarian, you will have no curriculum and will be constantly struggling to create new lessons (because, as I said, your job requirements will change yearly). Oh, and did I mention you will be ALONE? You will have no team, no coworkers who understand your position or who can sympathize/help you. You might be the only person in your entire district who does this job. It is lonely and thankless.

Reply
Mbean
5/8/2022 10:40:43 pm

Thank you for this brutally honest assessment. I think you have convinced me to avoid something that would be a very poor fit for me personally and professionally.

Amy Hermon link
4/25/2019 11:23:08 pm

What a terrific post! I am researching for my next podcast episode and would love to cite this and mention a few key points. Thanks so much for all these great ideas.

Amy

Reply
Darcy Eisenreich
10/3/2019 10:35:38 pm

Thanks for sharing! These are good things to know, so that I am more prepared when I become a librarian.

Reply
Summer Horton
11/3/2019 09:13:22 pm

Hello! Great Article. My question is, were you a classroom teacher before becoming a librarian and if so, for how long? Also have you only been a middle school librarian? I currently work in an elementary school so I am wondering about the differences.

Reply
Christopher Nowak BFA MLIS
9/22/2022 04:02:58 pm

From September, 1987 to June, 1989, I was a combination part-time carpet and upholstery cleaner/ part-time graduate student in the LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE program at UWO in LONDON, ONTARIO.
In August of 1989, I returned as a full-time carpet and upholstery cleaner in KITCHENER, ONTARIO.
I had TWO interviews for HIGH PAYING positions in the field of LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE:
JUNE of 1989: PROJECT MANAGER for DYNIX LIBRARY SYSTEMS: I did NOT get the job.
AUGUST of 1990: CATALOGUER with THE ONTARIO LIBRARY SERVICES CENTRE: I did NOT get the job.
Without an interview, I found a position as a BOOK-COVER PROOF-READER/EMBOSSER with LEHMANN BOOKBINDING in KITCHENER.
It was a ONE YEAR CONTRACT position (Contract).
That is really about it!
CONCLUSION: Taking up 20 months of my life earning an MLIS was NOT THE RIGHT DECISION!

Reply
Christopher Nowak BFA MLIS
9/22/2022 04:04:53 pm

I am a graduate of the library school from The University of Western Ontario (London, Ontario) in 1989.
I never became a librarian but believe that my skills became relevant for TWO positions:
1) A BOOK COVER EMBOSSER AND PROOF-READER POSITION FOR A BOOKBINDING COMPANY.
2) A FLYER INSERTER/STACKER/BUNDLER AND COLOUR CODER FOR THE PENNYSAVER (BOWES PUBLISHING).
My poor showing with the ADVANCED REFERENCE course convinced me that I was not cut out for a “‘true” library profession.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Who We Are

    Picture
    Corey Thornblad
    Teacher 
    Picture
    Picture
    Gretchen Hazlin
    ​Librarian
    Picture

    Picture

    Join our list!



    Archives

    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016

    Categories

    All
    Activism
    Adminstrators
    Assessments
    Back To School
    Balance
    Best Practices
    Books
    Brain Breaks
    BreakoutEDU
    #bubbleupthx
    Cell Phones
    Civic Engagenemt
    Classroom Design
    Classroom Management
    Coding
    Collaboration
    Community
    CREATE
    Critical Thinking
    Curation
    Design Thinking
    Discipline
    Discussion
    Distance Learning
    Edcamp
    Equity
    Field Trips
    Flexible Seating
    Flipped Classroom
    Genrefication
    Gifted
    Gifts
    Google
    Grading
    Gratitude
    Growth Mindset
    History
    Homework
    How-to
    Images
    Inquiry
    Interview
    Joy
    Kindness
    Leadership
    Librarians
    Library
    Literacy
    Makerspace
    Math
    Mental Health
    Middle School
    Mindfulness
    Movement
    New Librarians
    New Teachers
    Orientation
    Parenting
    Pbl
    Physical Space
    Pln
    Podcasts
    Poetry
    Primary Sources
    Problem Solving
    Professional Development
    Project Based Learning
    Questioning
    READ
    Reflection
    Relationships
    Research
    Rubrics
    Simulation
    Sketchnotes
    Social Emotional Health
    Social Emotional Learning
    Social Studies
    Stations
    Student Centered Learning
    Student-centered Learning
    Study Skills
    Summer
    Take10
    Take5
    Teacher Appreciation Week
    Technology
    Teens
    Testing
    Twitter
    WRITE

    RSS Feed


Proudly powered by Weebly
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • Presentations >
      • Empower17
      • Thesis ALIVE!
  • READ
    • What's the Scoop? >
      • Landmark Supreme Court Cases
    • Reading an Artifact
    • Reading an Image
    • Emoji Notes
    • Sketchnotes
    • Sharing Books with Kids
  • WRITE
    • Thesis & Essay Writing >
      • Thesis Writing Workshop
      • Fairy Tale Grab Bags
      • Essay Roadmap
      • Essay Outline Generator
      • Other Thesis Ideas
    • What's the Scoop? >
      • Landmark Supreme Court Cases
    • Poetry Beyond English Class
  • CREATE
    • Think, Build, Tweet
    • Sketchnotes
    • Ordinary Objects
    • Think Outside the Box
    • Poetry Beyond English Class
  • WORK WITH US
    • Testimonials