Mission Statement
To become life-long readers, students must have . . .
§ access to current, quality, high interest, and extensive collections of books and other print materials in their library media centers, classrooms, and public libraries;
§ contact with adults who read regularly and widely and who serve as positive reading role models;
§ certified school library media specialists and classroom teachers who demonstrate their enthusiasm for reading by reading aloud and booktalking;
§ time during the school day dedicated to reading for pleasure, information, and exploration;
§ opportunities specifically designed to engage young people in reading;
§ schools that create an environment where independent reading is valued, promoted, and encouraged; and
§ opportunities that involve care givers, parents and other family members in reading.
Position Statement of the American Association of School Librarians (July 1999)
In order to support and develop Library Media Specialists that will become the type of professionals which will be an asset to Baltimore County Public Schools a New Library Media Specialists Academy has been created. Education, combined with committed and skilled mentors, will serve to support and nurture newly hired or appointed library media specialists as they perform their roles as teacher, instructional partner, information specialist and program administrator.
Participants in the academy will engage in inservice classes, be assigned mentors, will be given opportunities for intervisitation, and networking. These efforts will help support and encourage library professionals as they create an environment in which students and staff become effective users of ideas and information.
Mentee’s Guide
Working with a mentor can be a profitable and effective way to enhance your professional growth. Hopefully you will be eager to begin this relationship and get right to work! You will visit your mentor’s school and they will visit yours. You can communicate with your mentor using phone, email, and in person visitation.
What is a Mentor?
A mentor is a professional friend in whom you can ask questions about all elements of your duties as a library media specialist. This contact will give you a place in which to find answers and advice about practice, procedures, and policy. The most successful mentors encourage their mentee to ask questions and seek support. The mentor may not know all of the answers, but he or she will know where to go to find those answers. The mentor will make arrangements to visit the mentee in their school and offer feedback and encouragement on creating a climate in the media center which is aesthetically and instructionally inviting.
What Does a Mentor Do?
v Teaches and provides professional guidance to build the mentee’s understanding about the role and its requirements, especially as a cornerstone of the school’s instructional program.
v Coaches using feedback, encouragement and constructive criticism about the ability and talents of the new library media specialist.
v Champions the mentee by serving as an advocate when necessary. Speak well of your mentee when possible, send notes to the mentee praising his or her success and send a copy to the principal and library coordinator.
v Counsel and model specific skills strategies:
- Share how to initiate and conduct a collaborative planning session with a teacher.
- Share ideas related to teaching and presenting information.
- Encourage your mentee to attend professional meetings and conferences
- Empower them with information sources to help them i.e., Library Office website.
Tips for Mentees
§ Initiate. In order to sustain the mentoring relationship, take the initiative to ask your mentor a question, to let him or her know your educational and professional interests and objectives, and to ask about his/her own experiences.
§ Honor your commitment. Your mentor has volunteered to take on the added responsibility of mentoring. Please be appreciative of his or her time and investment; respond in a timely manner to your mentor's questions and comments. If you don't have the time to respond at the time, send a short message letting him or her know you will be in contact when you have the opportunity.
§ Expect Support, Not Miracles. You can expect a certain level of support and advice from a mentor, but he or she can't solve your problems for you. Perhaps the most valuable quality a mentor can offer is perspective. A mentor can put the situation in perspective, offer feedback, serve as a sounding board, and identify resources that may be helpful to you.
§ Communicate clearly. Initiate contact with your mentor if you have questions or need to discuss something. Identify your needs and communicate them as clearly as possible to your mentor. It may be helpful to put some focused energy into organizing your thoughts and concerns before talking to your mentor, so that the time is spent wisely.
§ Be Teachable. Be willing to learn new things, obtain another perspective, and be responsive to suggestions and constructive criticism.
§ Ask for advice and welcome constructive criticism. Oftentimes people are hesitant to offer advice when they do not know you very well. Be as specific as possible when asking for advice. A good mentor will offer both constructive criticism and suggestions for your work, so be open to both.
§ Be considerate of your mentor's time. Mentors are by definition more established in their careers. This means that they have more demands on their time than they have time to deal with them. However, they have chosen to participate in this program and to be your mentor. You can expect quality time from them, but, in return, you need to be considerate of their time. Return phone calls and emails promptly and be on time. Be sure to ask how much time your mentor has to spend with you and abide by that request. Let your mentor suggest taking extra time if needed. You might even discuss setting aside a particular time each few weeks to talk.
§ Listen to what your mentor has to say. Mentors, having been there, know what you’ll be facing in your career. Although sometimes their advice may seem less relevant to you at the moment, often it’s that very information that becomes critical at a future date. Take all the advice your mentor has to offer on all aspects of your career.
§ Seriously consider the advice given to you by your mentor, even if your immediate reaction is not positive. A mentor seldom offers advice or criticism lightly. They’ve been in your shoes. It’s very reasonable to ask for time to consider their advice and then get back to them with your response. While you certainly don’t have to follow their advice, remember that they do have experience and skills that you haven’t mastered yet.
§ Show appreciation for the time and assistance given to you by your mentor. Mentors need encouragement too, and constructive feedback will help your mentor guide you in the most effective way. Let them know how their advice worked in your situation.
The primary characteristics of successful mentees include the ability and willingness to:
§ clearly articulate personal and professional needs
§ assume responsibility for your own professional growth and development
§ listen both to what is being said and how it is being said
§ establish goals and make decisions to achieve those goals
§ spend time reflecting on your achievements
§ be receptive to constructive feedback
Questions for Visitation
Teacher Role:
1. How do you accomplish everything in one 50 minute period?
2. How long are observations?
3. Do you have incentives for library behavior?
4. How do you keep a grade book?
5. How can I design rubrics?
6. What can you teach me about lesson planning?
7. How can I recruit volunteers? What are appropriate jobs for them to do?
8. How can I use technology in my lessons with few computers?
9. What teaching strategies are most effective?
10. How do you manage kindergarten?
11. How do you share literature?
Instructional Partner:
1. How do you collaborate with teachers?
2. How do you keep abreast of units being taught at each grade level?
3. How do you integrate technology and subject area outcomes?
4. Do you go to team/grade level meetings?
5. How can I arrange and conduct staff development opportunities?
6. How can I deal with more difficult teachers?
7. Do you have examples you can share of forms for communication?
Information Specialist
1. Which databases are most useful to students? To teachers?
2. How do you teach students to evaluate internet resources?
3. How do you acquaint students with the BCPS Telecommunications policy?
4. What sources do you use for selection?
5. What do you have in your professional collection?
6. How do you order periodicals? Which ones do you select?
Program Administrator
1. What are your vision and mission statements?
2. Are you involved with the School Improvement Team? What role do you play?
3. Do you do book fairs? Fundraising?
4. What suggestions do you have for the year end closing process?
5. How do I weed the collection?
6. Do you think the library needs to be rearranged?
7. How do I fill out a purchase order?
8. How do you spend your budget?
9. Do you have suggestions for improving the way I handle circulation of materials?
10. How do you handle overdues and books that do not get returned?
11. How do you stay up to date with technology?
12. What technology do you use most frequently in the library?
13. How do you order supplies?
14. What other elements go into running a successful LMC?