Answering the challenge: Answering Library Girl's Questions

So, in response to Library Girl's questions about libraries, I've decided to post what I have so far.  I appreciate that the questions will lead to more complex ones, and that vague answers will require more details.

• How will you make a difference for students?
1. I will greet them at the door with a smile.
2. I will stop what I am doing to listen to them.  They need to know that what they are saying to me is important.
3. I will ask follow-up questions to their queries to best understand their needs.
4. By giving library mini-lessons on a regular basis, which will improve their information literacy skills.
5. By hosting story times, activities, book clubs, and other events in which the students and their parents can participate.  These activities engage the students and encourage discovery and ideas.
6. By posting class work in the library.  This recognizes the student work, and makes them want to do quality work (since it will be shown to the whole school).
   
   
• How will you make your work the answer to the priorities/problems that keep your principal up at night?
1. By keeping open communication with the principal and the staff by means of a monthly newsletter, emails, face-to-face meetings, and attending faculty meetings when possible.
2. By encouraging the participation in the AR program, and having visuals to track student achievement.
3. By fulfilling my job duties to the best of my abilities.
4. By making sure the library adds value to the school with its programming, collection, and activities.
• How will you use student data to make instruction and program decisions?
1. By developing lessons/activities that address reading/literacy needs.
2. Analyzing circulation statistics to see what is being read, and by whom, and using this data to create programs and activities that answer the need.
• How will you measure success?
1. Assessments:  oral, handouts, finished work, activities, trivia games.
2. Statistics:  circulation statistics, class project statistics, AR data.
• How will you connect the dots between your work and student learning?
1. Making information literacy skills a major component of every lesson.
2. Making sure library activities and collection development stay true to the library goals/mission statement.
• How will you share this data with your administrators and community?
1. Infographics.
2. Start of the year report:  The goals for the year.
3.  End of the year report:  The goals met, and how.
4. Website.
5. Regular emails to keep everyone informed.
• How will you ensure your diverse population sees themselves in your space (as well as in your collection)?
1. Collection development that reflects a variety of interests and cultures.
2. Foreign language books.
3. Year-round displays that celebrate a variety of holidays and cultures.
4. Student work displayed throughout the year.
• How will you dispel negative/outdated library stereotypes?
1. By not being part of the problem.
2. By thinking outside the box.
3. By addressing those stereotypes directly.
4. By showcasing what the library/librarian has to offer.
5. By listening to constructive criticism and recommendations that are given by staff and community members.
• How will you grow your PLN?
1. Attending workshops.
2. Reading library blogs.
3. Reading SLJ, and other professional periodicals (online).
4. Attend staff development meetings.
5. Share what I am learning with peers.
• How will you help strengthen our profession by sharing your work beyond the walls of your school.
1. Wikispace – Library Stuffing
2. Blog – Library Gravy
3. At staff development meetings.
• How will you make sure everyone who walks into the library sees a focus on students (instead of stuff)?
1. By making sure every aspect, from displays to lessons, is focusing on creating independent learners with information literacy skills who take pride in the work they do.
2. By being a space that reflects, challenges, and nurtures its patrons.