Professional Activities
Professional Activity 1
Process:
Through completing the Case Study of Site 1 and the SWOT Analysis, it came to my attention the importance of having a library budget to allow for effective collection management to support teaching and learning and how Site 1 did not have a clearly set budget. Resources were being purchased through a rewards system from Book Club and the annual Book Fair as well as relying on donations. While we have been able to purchase new resources this way, the needs of the school community were not necessarily being specifically met. To respond to this in a leadership role as the TL at Site 1 I underwent the following process:
To begin with, I posed the question on various teacher librarian associated social media platforms about what other school library budgets were, as well as the size of the school and if they were Primary or Secondary schools.
One respondent suggested that I look on Barbara Braxton's blog "500 Hats" of which I found the area of budgeting under "The Accountants Hat" and became familiar with the scope provided there.
After listening to Madeleine Jane Viner during one of our Learning Hubs tutorials, I emailed her for advice and she kindly responded with a terrific list of ideas to approach budgeting.
Next I reviewed the 2018 Softlink survey to gather as much data on current budgeting trends.
Once I felt equipped with up to date ideas and methods, I arranged a meeting with our principal.
I am new to the role of TL and the Principal is newly appointed at the school. At the beginning of the meeting I explained the goal of the meeting and my role in supporting teaching and learning through collection management and promotion of reading. The Principal was supportive in explaining how the school budgets across the many and varied areas and where we are at in regard to spending this year. He explained the process he would prefer at this point in time of purchasing resources, however he agreed that next year we would negotiate an allocated library budget so that I could have more control and flexibility of how to use it, using my knowledge and understanding of the schools needs and in collaboration with the school community.
Reflection:
A great deal was learnt about the role of the TL by undergoing this process. It has become clear that a library budget is necessary to support teaching and learning through effective collection management. The TL knows the existing collection best and is in the greatest position to collaborate with the school community on what resources would best meet their specific needs. I have developed an understanding about how to write a budget factoring in the library and school’s procedures and policies. I have learnt how valuable it is to connect with other TL’s and how effective social media and email is to connect groups to share ideas, resources and to support each other in a timely manner. I have also been exposed to valuable resources such as websites, blogs and documents that I can refer to when necessary. Importantly, the process has allowed me to promote my role as TL to the principal and develop a shared vision and goal for our school library.
Process:
Through completing the Case Study of Site 1 and the SWOT Analysis, it came to my attention the importance of having a library budget to allow for effective collection management to support teaching and learning and how Site 1 did not have a clearly set budget. Resources were being purchased through a rewards system from Book Club and the annual Book Fair as well as relying on donations. While we have been able to purchase new resources this way, the needs of the school community were not necessarily being specifically met. To respond to this in a leadership role as the TL at Site 1 I underwent the following process:
To begin with, I posed the question on various teacher librarian associated social media platforms about what other school library budgets were, as well as the size of the school and if they were Primary or Secondary schools.
One respondent suggested that I look on Barbara Braxton's blog "500 Hats" of which I found the area of budgeting under "The Accountants Hat" and became familiar with the scope provided there.
After listening to Madeleine Jane Viner during one of our Learning Hubs tutorials, I emailed her for advice and she kindly responded with a terrific list of ideas to approach budgeting.
Next I reviewed the 2018 Softlink survey to gather as much data on current budgeting trends.
Once I felt equipped with up to date ideas and methods, I arranged a meeting with our principal.
I am new to the role of TL and the Principal is newly appointed at the school. At the beginning of the meeting I explained the goal of the meeting and my role in supporting teaching and learning through collection management and promotion of reading. The Principal was supportive in explaining how the school budgets across the many and varied areas and where we are at in regard to spending this year. He explained the process he would prefer at this point in time of purchasing resources, however he agreed that next year we would negotiate an allocated library budget so that I could have more control and flexibility of how to use it, using my knowledge and understanding of the schools needs and in collaboration with the school community.
Reflection:
A great deal was learnt about the role of the TL by undergoing this process. It has become clear that a library budget is necessary to support teaching and learning through effective collection management. The TL knows the existing collection best and is in the greatest position to collaborate with the school community on what resources would best meet their specific needs. I have developed an understanding about how to write a budget factoring in the library and school’s procedures and policies. I have learnt how valuable it is to connect with other TL’s and how effective social media and email is to connect groups to share ideas, resources and to support each other in a timely manner. I have also been exposed to valuable resources such as websites, blogs and documents that I can refer to when necessary. Importantly, the process has allowed me to promote my role as TL to the principal and develop a shared vision and goal for our school library.
