Experience and Enthusiasm

Out of all the roles of a library media educator, the one with which I feel most comfortable is that of program administrator.  This is because of my past experiences.  Unlike most in my online community, I am not yet a teacher.  So the part of the job that is least familiar to me has to do with writing lesson plans and designing instruction to meet standards.  I served as children's librarian at the Lake City Public Library for 5 years before I resigned.  In this capacity I:

• Coordinated the summer reading program for preschool through 7th grade
• Planned all events and activities associated with summer reading
• Booked educational performances
• Created promotional materials
• Solicited funds (tripling the budget from 2006 to 2010), and kept an accounting.
• Spearheaded the junior high summer reading program and high school volunteer program
• Planned and presented preschool storytime
• Coordinated children's programming volunteers.

I would rate my ability to provide equal access to resources at a 3.  I am, perhaps, more aware of accommodations because I spent a year and a half as a one-on-one paraprofessional with a wheelchair-bound student.  I became much more aware of the difficulties in navigating the world with a wheelchair.  I may be ahead of the curve in awareness of issues of physical disablity, but I am not terribly familiar with promoting diversity.  I just haven't had that much experience with diversity.  I have become more aware of displays within the library, making sure I represent people of all types.  However, I am not very forward-thinking in methods of promoting diversity.  I could use some ideas on that.

Having worked in the world of marketing, and on various community boards, I would rate my ability to co-develop a mission, strategic plan and policies at a four.  I know the drill and am a better than average writer.  I can't give myself a 5, however, because I haven't yet done this in a library setting.

Because of my experience at the public library, I would rate my ability to manage staff, budget, and physical space at a 4.  I would rank my budget ability at a 5, but not quite so positive on staff and physical space.  I do believe, however, that I am fairly good at connecting people to tasks that they do well, and would be more than willing to solicit assistance, especially in the use of physical space.

My success in two summer reading programs leads me to give myself a 5 in partners with stakeholders and other organizations.  I was able to solicit $6000.00 grants for summer reading, more than tripling our original budget of $1500.  I also started a Wednesday afternoon program that partnered with different entities within the community to promote not only reading, but Lake City.  One summer the children visited the local high school and toured the drama department and put on a student-led play, got a visit @ the library from the drum line (nothing like a drum-line performance in a public library), and planted flowers with the community garden group.  Another year they got to tour the new marina and learn about the history of the harbor from our harbor master, build sandcastles at a local beach and even got to ride a paddleboat and learn of the history of Lake Pepin.  I have proven my ability to work with the community, and look forward to working with teachers and staff in my next position.

The only topic with which I feel more comfort than library administration is my love of children's books and literature.  In the end, enthusiasm and being willing to work with others will carry the day!