"A 13-Point Library Media Program Checklist for School Principals" - Article Review #3

This article grabbed my attention for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I find these lists to be rather dangerous. Unless there is an attached article entitled "A 13-Point Support Program and Funding Guidelines for Media Specialists", it is rather a one sided argument. Secondly, who wrote this list? Every school district is so different in terms of funding, library personnel, whether or not the teacher librarian provides preparation time, etc. that it is really difficult to create a one-size-fits-all checklist.

There are elements of Doug Johnson's article that are nothing short of laughable. "Does the media centre have an outside entrance so it can be used for community events?" Mine doesn't even have a window. Last year the library I was in was infact a corridor. "Is the media centre carpeted with static-free carpet to reduce noise and protect electronic devices? Is it climate controlled? Does it contain a computer lab, multi-media work stations and TV production facilities? Does it have fully networked voice, video and data lines?" I'm not sure what district Johnson works for but sign me up. I don't have any of those things. The money is simply not there, and if were, it would likely be spent on much more basic things that are desperately needed.

The vast majority of the article focuses on the duties and skills of the teacher librarian. I agree with much of what Johnson says in this regard. We should have written job descriptions, attend professional development opportunities, tie collection development in with the curriculum, provide a variety of online and print resources, be part of school committees, practice resource-based teaching, collaborate with classroom teachers..... and on and on. This is not a surprise. His points are all valid in regards to our professional duties. My problem is is that we are not given the time nor budget to do these things. In my district, we are kept very busy covering prep classes much of the day, engaging with students and trying to collaborate with teachers whenever possible. Many of us have no clerical support. And some of us are in 3 different libraries. The list is simply not achievable with the manpower and financial resources available.

As you can see, this article gets my shackles up. In the hands of a principal who wishes to use this as a literal guideline, problems could arise. When articles like this are written and published, they should be accompanied with information that tells principals the true cost of running such a school library resource centre.

Johnson, Doug. ""A 13-Point Library Media Program Checklist for School Principals". Teacher Librarian 33 Feb, 2006 70-71. 27 Sep 2008