Being a Future Ready Librarian

In the last few weeks, I have had numerous inquiries about my flexible schedule and how I started it. Most people have been very positive about it and want to start it at their school. Unfortunately, not everyone has been positive, so I want to take the time to clear up some things about flexible schedule and being an instructional partner.

What is the purpose of a flexible schedule?

A flexible schedule opens up your daily library schedule to allow time for collaboration and co-teaching. The main purpose is not to allow students to come check out whenever they want. While a flex schedule does allow for this, I don't feel like this is the main reason why you should move to a flex schedule. The main reason to have a flexible schedule is to allow time for co-teaching lessons and allow classes time to come for research and inquiry as needed. Library time is more meaningful when we collaborate with the classroom teachers. 

 

Before anyone takes what I just said the wrong way, I firmly believe that it is important that students are allowed to come to the library at their point of need. This is an important part of flexible schedule, however, in the Future Ready Framework librarians build instructional partnerships. While having open check out all day is important, being an instructional partner is the MOST important part of being a future ready librarian. 

Be an Instructional or Collaborative Partner

I recently gave a presentation to some of the Future Ready librarians in my district about being a collaborative partner. We discussed how to start on a flex schedule, but also how to be a partner if you are on a fixed schedule. Flex schedule is the best schedule to allow for collaboration, however, if you aren't on flex schedule you can still collaborate and be an instructional partner.

Maybe you are still in rotation during the teachers' conference times. This is a hard thing for you to change, however, you should still advocate for the change. However, it may not happen right away, and I understand that. But, you can still tie that library time into the curriculum and make it more meaningful. Look through your district's curriculum, or talk with the classroom teachers. More than likely they will love for you to touch on something that students need from the curriculum. There are so many options!!

We have to get out from behind the circulation desk and be instructional partners! 

Teachers won't bring the kids! 

This is absolutely not true, and it is my least favorite argument that other librarians give when telling me why flex schedule is not for their school. Many teachers are used to the fixed schedule and don't realize what librarians can do for them and the curriculum. You have to let them know! Some teachers may not even realize that school librarians were teachers first before being a librarian. Let teachers know what you can do for them and invite them to bring their class to the library. 

• START SMALL - You may not be able to get every teacher on campus on board in one day, but if you can get one teacher to bring their class to the library to co-teach a lesson with you, you will be amazed how word will spread! 

The Biggest Obstacle

The argument I hear all the time is: "Teachers don't want to give up their extra 30 minutes". OK, I'm going to be ugly honest here for a minute. If you are not in the conference rotation time, library time is not an extra planning time for teachers. It is a time that is best utilized for conferencing with the students about what they are reading. Why would teachers not want to come in and get to know their students' reading interest? 

This was my biggest obstacle when I first started as the librarian. The librarian before me had allowed teachers to drop off their students and leave for the entire 30 minutes. I saw a problem in the older grades because the ELA teacher would get sometimes 3 "extra breaks" on library day, while the math and science teacher got zero extra breaks. We also used the Accelerated Reader program, and teachers weren't using the library time to conference with students about what they were reading and their AR goal. 

We have to be an advocate for the students, and if you are on a fixed or a flexed be an advocate for what is best for the students! Library time should be an extension of the classroom. 

I'm not saying to go tell your campus everything is changing tomorrow. I do urge you to look at the Future Ready Framework and advocate for a flex schedule and become an instructional partner.