A week in my shoes: Ian McCracken

 

Think life as a school librarian is peaceful and sedentary? Think again! Ian McCracken of Govan High School shares his hectic week

To readers of Connected, some of my week will seem similar to that of other school librarians – but other aspects may be more unusual. Over the years that I’ve worked in Govan High School, my role has evolved to a considerable extent, and I am very fortunate to work in an environment that encourages staff (whether teaching or support) to contribute in diverse areas.

A word about my title – it’s officially School Librarian, but Learning Resource Centre Manager is more accurate. The business cards the school provides me with say Information Consultant. This is not through any delusions of adequacy (never mind grandeur!) but because people always take the word “librarian” for granted, whereas when they see Information Consultant there’s always a reaction. It doesn’t matter to me whether this reaction is disbelief or even scorn. The point is that the individual is actually thinking about it, and indeed will often ask me about it – a great opportunity to challenge assumptions!

Monday

As is the case on most Mondays, I’m in very early to deal with late requests to book the Learning Resource Centre (LRC). Each Monday morning I sit at my desk and check for any email bookings, and will be surprised if the phone doesn’t also ring with requests, either for today or later in the week. I think it’s important to provide as flexible a service as I can, so, while encouraging people to book the LRC well in advance, I also recognise that all sorts of issues can necessitate teachers having to change plans at the last minute and needing the LRC.

Today, as well as classes booked some time ago from English and Science, I have a new S1 class in for their LRC induction. This is a two-period task. The pupils come to the LRC with their PSE teacher, who has already suggested some suitable pupil groupings. I welcome them to the LRC and explain that they have to design a poster from one of a range of pre-determined topics. Pupils are given fun activities with LRC maps to find suitable books. Others from each team have to use pre-selected links to suitable websites. This is a popular and lively activity that makes finding information fun and gives pupils more confidence in using the LRC. It may be the biggest they’ve seen and I want them to develop the skills and confidence to use it properly.

Tuesday

As one of the Advisory Group for Glasgow Caledonian University’s Information Literacy Skills Project, I will be going to a group meeting on Friday, so part of today is taken up with internal discussions with relevant colleagues. Since I didn’t get the time yesterday, I also look at the online School Librarians’ Network – a
very useful UK-wide discussion forum on which librarians throughout the UK share ideas and suggestions and generally support one another. I often contribute to ongoing discussion, post some of my own ideas or take note of others’ suggestions for future development.

All of this is of course in between answering enquiries from staff and pupils, speaking to classes, finding information for anyone requiring it and so on!

Wednesday

Today I have bookings from the Autism Unit housed in the school, as well as from PSE, English and Media Studies. The LRC has 23 networked computers, a class seating space and a combined staff/careers/discussion area (all in one room). It’s quite the norm to have two or three groups in the LRC at the same time working at different tasks, and I will be on my feet most of the time, going back and forth, helping people find information, use unfamiliar computer applications, and so on. Whoever said librarians had a sedentary job obviously had never been one!

After lunch, the LRC is reserved for the Paired Reading Group. This has been running successfully with Learning Support for several years, and both younger and senior pupils helping out have gained a lot in terms of skills and self-esteem.

Thursday

My first job is to talk to some staff about the pros and cons of getting pupils searching for information on
the internet. Staff need to decide whether it’s the search that’s important or the result – if the latter, then I will explain that I can tailormake a topic links page (also at the appropriate reading age) which I then make accessible to all pupils.

I show them some examples of pages I have recently created, such as Genetic Engineering, Foods of the World and Commonwealth Games websites. I also show them what I call ‘good bad’ examples – highlighting the number of results that pupils can get without proper searching techniques, issues of copying and pasting and so on. I also often prepare specialised presentations to help pupils with searches, if that’s what’s required.

I’m also preparing for today’s regular Homework Club. This is another LRC-based project that has evolved over the years. The transition staff and I run the club on a relaxed and informal basis, and have managed to attract many pupils who perhaps don’t fit the image of a Homework Club attendee. Both the social and the fun, learning dimension are important, and I sincerely believe that an LRC offers great flexibility for all learners.

Friday

Today I receive a package I’ve been looking forward to. As part of International School Library Day, we were ‘twinned’ with University High School in Melbourne, and pupils from both schools had a most enjoyable time making and swapping bookmarks. The package contains the Australian bookmarks, which our pupils are very keen to discuss. Hopefully this will include talking about the books chosen to inspire the designs, as well as the design work itself.

On my way out, I pop my new Staff Information Leaflet in for copying – it’s a belt and braces approach as copies have also been emailed to everyone!

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