Deep Thinking

This summer I have done most of my work at home rather than slipping into my office at school each week and holding impromptu meetings for SLMS to share lessons. I “thought” I had made it very clear to the custodians that my office didn’t need the floor cleaned until after I finish my next two days (Monday and Tuesday) of Information Literacy classes downtown. Imagine my horror when I slipped into my office this Sunday evening to find that not only had they cleaned my floor, but they had re-arranged every pile of work, file folders, computer set-ups, etc. that were strategically laid out for me to complete this Wednesday. I face re-arranging, rethinking, and recreating my entire office. Why is it so impossible for custodians to realize that my job doesn’t start in August and end in May, but it continues throughout the summer?

I am already in the summer doldrums where I dread returning to work and being overloaded. I haven’t had the first “fix” of kids that inspires me each year. Teachers are already calling with ideas to collaborate and plan new lessons. It’s time to regenerate inspiration and enthusiasm and pick up the pieces. I hope that re-organizing my office will enable me to re-organize my motivation for the school year.

Christopher Harris of Infomancy has created a MySpace Travel Guide that is worth reading. While I was at ALA2006 in New Orleans, several YALSA members were quoting the stats on MySpace traffic percentages of the internet. I’m not sure if everyone is looking at the same set of data, but Christopher quoted these facts:

“According to Alexa, an internet traffic analysis site, MySpace is the number 5 site in the world and number 3 in the US - surpassed only by Yahoo and Google. If, however, you look at page views, MySpace can’t be touched. MySpace currently accounts for about a quarter of page views of people who use the Alexa toolbar…and trust me, that is NOT the target audience for MySpace!”

I went to Alexa myself to check out some of the traffic and see which other sites were suggested as similar to MySpace. I think the list is incomplete, but you should go look and decide for yourself.

While you are touring and learning, check out Meredith Farkas post on Information Wants to Be Free. She will be conducting an online training for Wikis called Wiki: The Ultimate Tool For Online Collaboration I am very excited about this. Hope to see you in the LiveMeeting.

Free Range Librarian K.G. Schneider posted the question “Where are the women?” to discuss the issue of limited visibility of women at the technology sessions of ALA. I have been thinking more about this issue and I believe it extends further. Women are not as visible as leaders in technology and librarians are not being encouraged to grow fast enough.

I love technology for it’s possibilities. Before my district gave in to making everyone equal and mediocre and gave up rewarding innovation, I was recognized as a technology leader. I loved it. I earned new equipment through grants. I learned new techniques and programs to benefit my students. Teachers were excited to learn with me and begged to be included in new grant programs. Now, I learn Web 2.0 strategies for my personal interest and incidentally share new skills with others randomly, rather than through systematic professional development.

However, back to my original thought, there is another group of librarians discriminated against - the elementary school librarians. When someone becomes more successful in the school library field, others around immediately assume one is moving into administration and university teaching. It is difficult to continue in the “field” of education and be innovative while increasing visibility as a leader. When I travel the exhibit halls at conferences, I am treated differently as an elementary school librarian. This year I had “H. School” put on my ALA2006 badge instead of H. Elementary School. I was taking an informal survey to see if vendors changed their questions and attitudes when they learned I taught at the elementary level. They did. The way I was able to alter their attitudes again was when I mentioned that my hubby-dear taught at the middle & high school level. I seemed to become a more interesting and knowledgeable person when I was connected with the upper levels than solely at the elementary level. I recognize that part of this is that elementary school librarians tend not to have as much money to spend as public and academic librarians. But take a look at sessions and leadership. You have more clout if you leave the classroom and the elementary library. Those who rise to district level leadership and academic teaching positions tend to be more visible, have more flexible time to participate in leadership within ALA, and more funding sources to attend high profile events. Does this mean they are more knowledgeable? Nope. Just more visible.

The worst statement I hear is when a librarian apologizes for “JUST” being a school librarian. I am proud to serve the youngest members of our educational system. They need good librarians, too. I have actually had to tell some administrators, vendors, and community leaders “I teach elementary students, I am not an elementary student.” I dare them to dis-respect me!

I do. I didn’t know I did, but it’s true. I found out this afternoon while watching a movie. I wonder how long it will take others to realize they also need a hero. My hubby-dear and I slipped away to see Superman Returns together. There was a moment of stillness during the movie when I realized everyone was holding their breath in anticipation. The gladness and pride that welled up when Superman came to the rescue felt so good. The moment when normal humans reacted with courage and self-sacrifice felt good. This movie encouraged you to consider how Superman saves others by inspiring humans to act heroically.

In this day and age, we need something to make us feel good. Last year during Katrina, Rita and Wilma we needed heroes. During 9-11 we needed heroes. Watching the daily struggles in Iraq and Afghanistan, we need heroes. Watching the government erode away our Bill of Rights and attack our fundamental right to KNOW and read, we need heroes. We have seen heroes in each of those situations. Sometimes we want more. I am a proud sponsor of ASPCA because they do heroic work with animals. I participate in AASL’s Legislative committee because I believe heroic acts come from participating citizens who work to inform our leaders. ALA acknowledged the 4 Connecticut librarians who were John Doe heroes during ALA2006.

#1 and #2 sons begin their senior year of high school (as 16 year olds) in 30 days. They spent Friday in the U.S. Army recruiter’s office and brought me a DVD to view to “allay my fears” of our leadership throwing away their lives. They have seen their friends sign up and head off to service. They don’t want to miss their chance to be heroes. As a parent, I agonize over how to share with them other ways to be heroic.

Perhaps I should spend more time this summer developing my collection of books for children needing heroes. I need help! Send me your suggestions through comments here. Last year a new 2nd grade male teacher was hired 6 weeks into the school year. He arrived with his collection of superheroes. Every time his class came to the library, they asked for superhero books. I have expanded my graphic novel collection, but I need MORE!

Here are some of the titles I have thought of so far but this list shows so many gaps:
Biographies plus The Hero and the Crown, The Hero Beowulf by Eric A. Kimmel, Superdog : The Heart of a Hero by Caralyn Buehner, Hero Cat by Eileen Spinelli, Maniac Magee, Santa Paws by Nicholas, Night of the Twisters by Ivy Ruckman, Redwall by Brian Jacques, Hero dogs : courageous canines in action by Donna M. Jackson and Keep the Light Burning, Abbie.

For my students needing more information on Superman, there is the Superman Homepage devoted to the comic book hero, the DC comics page, the official movie homepage, the Wikipedia article, and the Superman Supersite.