I completed my fourth year as school librarian at Mountaineer Middle School this year. This was my most productive year so far, a fact that is amazing considering how much school I have missed this year due to illness. This post will look at some of this year's accomplishments and challenges.
The most impactful change implemented this year was changing the library layout. Previously, the shelving was directly in front of the circulation desk and angled so that there were blind spots where students could loiter. The student instructional area also had blind spots that contributed to classroom management issues. The new layout eliminated these problems and allowed for the creation of a lounge area with a couch and five comfortable chairs. An end table and coffee table had slots for magazines that would appeal to students' browsing interests.
Genrefication of the fiction section continued this year, and I estimate I still have about 35 percent of the collection to relabel. As I genrefy, I weed. Once all of this is completed, I will try to implement dynamic shelving, which is to say displaying the books in a more retail-like fashion.
The Dungeons and Dragons after school club continued this year, improved by learning from the failures of the previous year. There were fewer members, but those who joined the club were interested in the game more than goofing off. The club was led by an eighth grader who put deep effort into creating a game and various realities for his fellow students. He tried to get me involved, and I did sit in on one session, but honestly, it wasn't for me. I was happy to let the club evolve on its own.
Two seventh grade students proposed an afterschool book club, and this was met by great enthusiasm. About 19 students registered, and of course, some dropped out and more wandered in. The real challenges here involved money. Because we had no funding, students had to choose among the class sets already in the collection. Diverse reading levels and interests posed another challenge. I let the students choose their own novels and subgroups, and this seemed to work well.
I think what is more important to the students than book clubs or games is the opportunity to form an informal community. Really, these kids want a low-key way to interact with their peers, and the subject matter for the club is secondary. Maybe I should try a hangout club. I think they would like that.
The true challenges I faced this past year had to do with my health and the unpredictability of my being available for these afterschool activities. As much as I would like to make the commitment to a book club or a D&D club every Wednesday, I often had to cancel. This disappointed the kids and discouraged me, because I want to be available to the kids and have them love the library as a dynamic space. I disappointed and frustrated myself as much or more than I disappointed and frustrated them.
This year I will see what I can accomplish. I definitely want to finish the genrefication before my school is merged with another. Had I known the merger would take place when I started the process, I probably would have waited. It is hard to say whether or not I will have a library job once the merger takes place, as there are certainly those with more county seniority that I. As for the clubs, I will let my conscience guide my decisions.
Even though it is only June 20, I look forward to the next school year.
