Practicum


 * Home

1. Request Letter, submitted January 2010 2. Objectives and Goals, submitted January 2010 3. Assessment of Learning Experience and Summary, submitted July 2010

Note: My log was submitted via email to Dr. Harper on July 7, 2010.

__PRACTICUM for MLIS degree__

Practicum Location: Gahanna Lincoln High School, Gahanna, Ohio Dates: March - June 2010 (100 clock hours)

1. Practicum Request: provides overview of practicum** To: Dr. Harper From: Beth Brendle RE: Practicum Request Date: January 4, 2010

Hi. I spoke with you on the phone in early November / late September about how to schedule my practicum.

I have three courses left plus the practicum:

Spring 2010: I am scheduled for ITEC 57403 and LIS 60624. Summer 2010 (five weeks): ITEC 57430 and the practicum

In order to get my clock hours in the school, I would like to start unofficially in March over my Spring Break. The plan is to do 40 hours the week of March 22-26. I can then take one full week off my job by using three personal days and two professional days. I would like to do this in late April or early May. This is an additional 40 hours. The remaining 20 will have to be dispersed in after-school or evening activities and in the week after school is out in June. I can help the librarians close up the library for the summer.

Then, as I finish my last course, I should be able to pull my portfolio together and complete my program mid-Summer 2010. In this plan, you would enroll me for the practicum in Summer 2010 and I would graduate at the end of the summer. (Yeah!) As you can see from the request, I have chosen Gahanna Lincoln High School. I would like to go there because it is located between work and home and it is a large school with two librarians. I feel I can learn a lot from this environment as I have taught in smaller schools my whole career. I have already contacted Dana Johnson, and she accepted me as a practicum student. If this placement is not suitable for any reason, please advise.

Thanks! Elisabeth P. Brendle (Beth)

614/245-4004 mbrendle@insight.rr.com ebrendle@kent.edu

Submitted January 4, 2010 These objectives are based on the ODE //Academic Content Standards//, pages 22-25. My objectives in this area are to engage in any management duties I am allowed and to observe the management side of the job. I chose Lincoln High School because it is a large school, and I have only taught in small – medium schools. I am curious how Mrs. Johnson and her colleague, Ann Gleek, manage a large school library and share the duties of media specialist.
 * 2. Learning Outcomes and Objectives**
 * Area 1: Management **

I would like to read and analyze the library’s strategic plan, mission statement, operational management procedures, and other managerial documents, if they exist.

I would like to evaluate the marketing strategies employed to sell the library services and perhaps create and implement a marketing tool myself.

I would like to see a model for scheduling a librarian’s time (year, month, day) and perhaps create a plan for at least one week during my practicum. In essence, I really need to get a bigger picture of the whole job of library media specialist: what she does, how a year looks, what jobs are done when, etc.

I would like to analyze the physical layout of the library and its materials to better understand traffic patterns, etc.

My objectives in the area are to engage in any collection and curriculum duties I am allowed and to gain a working knowledge of how to manage a collection.
 * Area 2: Collection Development and Curriculum **

I would like to read and analyze the library’s development plan and policies as well as the reconsideration plan so that I may better deal with challenges on the job.

I would like to observe and participate in the acquisition process. If possible, I can collaboration with teachers at a meeting to determine staff needs.

I would like to observe and participate in the cataloging process.

I would like to browse and analyze the school’s various collections to get a better idea of what I should have in my future library.

I would like to perform basic library tasks such as reshelving, weeding, checking out, and processing books.


 * Area 3:** **Literary and Reading Support**

My objectives in this area are to promote reading in any way I can, including providing readers advisory to students, assisting teachers in choosing texts for their students, and participating in a school book club. I am not opposed to planning and implementing a program of some kind if Mrs. Johnson thinks it could work in the short time I am there.

My main objective in this area is to assist students and staff with library-based technology, such as the OPAC and research databases.
 * Area 4: Literacy-based Technology **

To teach and promote information literacy and effective research skills, I would like to help students one-on-one and perhaps present a lesson to a class.

I would like to learn how Mrs. Johnson teaches and reinforces copyright laws and anti-plagiarism techniques.

I would like to evaluate the library’s web presence and perhaps participate in its maintenance or create a new feature.

I would like to get a better sense of how teachers in all disciplines are using technology as I will be expected to assist with all kinds of technology as a librarian.

The bolded words are the original learning outcomes and objectives. For this assessment, I will discuss items individually in non-bold text.
 * 3. Assessment of Learning Experience and Summary **
 * Practicum Learning Outcomes and Objectives **


 * Submitted January 4, 2010 **
 * These objectives are based on the ODE //Academic Content Standards//, pages 22-25. **


 * Area 1: Management **

I chose a good experience for myself. It was great to see a large school library in action. The student aides as well as the library team of Dana, Ann, Donna, and Bonnie all helped me see how to run a library.
 * My objectives in this area are to engage in any management duties I am allowed and to observe the management side of the job. I chose Lincoln High School because it is a large school, and I have only taught in small – medium schools. I am curious how Mrs. Johnson and her colleague, Ann Gleek, manage a large school library and to hare the duties of media specialist. **

I read the blurb about libraries in the Board’s official documents.
 * I would like to read and analyze the library’s strategic plan, mission statement, operational management procedures, and other managerial documents, if they exist. **

The librarians did not do a whole lot to market the library as it is a pretty busy library with decent funding. They do not need to overextend themselves in the marketing area. They did make personal connections with teachers to get the teachers into the library. They also held an author visit, which brought attention to the library. I feel I can market a library through email updates, etc., if and when I get my own library.
 * I would like to evaluate the marketing strategies employed to sell the library services and perhaps create and implement a marketing tool myself. **

The scheduling was pretty self-explanatory. The teachers filled in when they were coming, so the librarians arranged their schedules around the teacher visits. Researching for acquisitions, ordering, weeding, and other duties were performed regularly whenever time permitted. Inventory was done in the last week of the year. I got a great sense of what needed to be done throughout the year and when the librarians accomplished each job.
 * I would like to see a model for scheduling a librarian’s time (year, month, day) and perhaps create a plan for at least one week during my practicum. In essence, I really need to get a bigger picture of the whole job of library media specialist: what she does, how a year looks, what jobs are done when, etc. **

The library is one big square. Ann, Dana, and I did have some conversations about other possible layouts, but the weight of the shelving and the cost of new carpeting if the shelving was moved was prohibitive to any immediate changes. The traffic patterns are fine with the big space. The librarians have great visibility to all areas of the library. I would personally add some decorations to liven up the room. I would also recommend, if funding permitted, to update the furniture to something with a less industrial appearance.
 * I would like to analyze the physical layout of the library and its materials to better understand traffic patterns, etc. **


 * Area 2: Collection Development and Curriculum **

I watched Ann as she researched graphic novels, particularly Manga. We discussed how she chooses which ones to order. I also helped her research some resources that were under consideration for weeding; she checked what other materials the library had and checked the materials’ circulation history to see if they were needed. I got a great introduction to the nitty-gritty of collection acquisition.
 * My objectives in this area are to engage in any collection and curriculum duties I am allowed and to gain a working knowledge of how to manage a collection. **

No official plans existed, but we did talk about the library’s philosophies in these areas.
 * I would like to read and analyze the library’s development plan and policies as well as the reconsideration plan so that I may better deal with challenges on the job. **

As stated above, I did help Ann with acquisition. I did not collaborate with teachers as this was not an option in the time I was there.
 * I would like to observe and participate in the acquisition process. If possible, I can collaboration with teachers at a meeting to determine staff needs. **

I was able to watch Dana copy-catalog some gifts. I then got to finish the rest of the books. As I had finished my cataloging class, I felt very confident and comfortable!
 * I would like to observe and participate in the cataloging process. **

I spent a bit of time browsing the collections in each of the libraries I visited. This was probably the best activity to see what is out there and what kids are reading.
 * I would like to browse and analyze the school’s various collections to get a better idea of what I should have in my future library. **

I definitely got to be the librarian in these areas. I did all of these duties at the high school and was even put to work by the elementary librarians when I visited them. I have a much better idea of the nitty-gritty of circulating books. In addition, Dana had me weed an entire section (two large shelves) of her library. She then went through the ones I chose to discard and said I did a great job. I gained a lot of confidence doing all of these jobs.
 * I would like to perform basic library tasks such as re-shelving, weeding, checking out, and processing books. **


 * Area 3: Literary and Reading Support **

I participated in the author visits in two schools, which was a lot of fun as well as educational. I saw how the events were planned, promoted, and implemented. I jumped in wherever I could to help assist.
 * My objectives in this area are to promote reading in any way I can, including providing readers advisory to students, assisting teachers in choosing texts for their students, and participating in a school book club. I am not opposed to planning and implementing a program of some kind if Mrs. Johnson thinks it could work in the short time I am there. **

I did a bit of readers’ advisory at the high school as well as at the elementary schools. A highlight was when a little boy found an ant and all his attention was on it instead of finding a book. I suggested he find a book about ants, which he did. We looked up the ant books, and he chose two. He was very excited and was able to leave the ant alone and look at his books.


 * Area 4: Literacy-based Technology **

I was able to assist patrons using the computers. In particular, I helped kids who were creating Works Cited pages and who were researching with library databases. I do these types of tasks as an English teacher, so this was nothing new.
 * My main objective in this area is to assist students and staff with library-based technology, such as the OPAC and research databases. **

I was not able to do a class lesson as none were scheduled during my visits. However, I was able to help students one-on-one.
 * To teach and promote information literacy and effective research skills, I would like to help students one-on-one and perhaps present a lesson to a class. **

There is no formal signage or policy about copyright. However, the librarians and aides do work with patrons as needed when they are working to prevent copyright infractions and plagiarism. In particular, Whitney (an elementary librarian) reminded a student who was printing off pictures that she needed to give credit to the source.
 * I would like to learn how Mrs. Johnson teaches and reinforces copyright laws and anti-plagiarism techniques. **

Most libraries I have looked up have dismal web sites. This seems to be a weakness in most tech departments. Ann uses Wikispaces for the high school’s site, which is not perfect. Westerville North HS, to whom I applied for a job, had NO web presence at all. Their databases were on a general school link. Creating a web site is something I need to learn to do so that I can be competitive in the job market. I have NO idea how to make one; I had taken the Westerville job, I would have had to create a web site, and frankly I don’t know how to.
 * I would like to evaluate the library’s web presence and perhaps participate in its maintenance or create a new feature. **

I was not out of the library enough to see how teachers were using technology. This is still a weak area of mine. I am painfully aware that there are many tech savvy teachers who use Skype, Audacity, iMovies, and many other forms of technology daily. I feel woefully inadequate to help them. Using technology in my own classroom has become my own goal for this upcoming year.
 * I would like to get a better sense of how teachers in all disciplines are using technology as I will be expected to assist with all kinds of technology as a librarian. **

Overall, I had a great practicum experience. I enjoyed visiting all three education levels and could see myself in any one of them. I enjoyed the elementary schools more than I had anticipated, and I may pursue a job in one. Each library was unique; each librarian made the space and program her own. It was comforting to know that there are no set rules for being a librarian; you do what you can for your school. I loved getting ideas from all the librarians I visited. They were all friendly and professional; I would recommend Gahanna City Schools to future practicum students.
 * Summary **

The biggest thing that was reinforced is that librarians work with people, not books. It is a busy, busy job with fluctuating downtime. You have to be very flexible, helpful, and patient. You have to be a self-starter because no one is watching you, really. You have to organize your time and get your work done around everyone else’s needs.

I got a bit bored a few times and had to ask for things to do. This is the only problem as a short-term visitor. I did not have one project, but I asked a lot of questions and had several small jobs along the way. I guess that’s how the job is. I could walk into a library and get it ready for students coming in the Fall. I may not be great at budgeting yet, but that is something I can learn. I can also learn more about technology as needed.

As I mentioned in my final reflection in my portfolio, I declined a job offer due to the placement on their salary schedule (it would entail a 30K pay decrease). I can’t afford that much of a decrease at my age with three kids. I am saddened that my years of grad school may not lead me into a suitable library job. I had a lot of fun learning about the library world, and I still hope a job works out for me in the future. I will most likely volunteer at my local library to get my feet into the business. I’m ready.