Sassy Librarian Videos
To help present the topic (in a slightly exaggerated and hopefully humorous way), we created the following videos featuring the Sassy Librarian Friend. These videos are modeled after the Sassy Gay Friend sketches from The Second City, a sketch comedy and improve troupe based in Chicago. The Second City's You Tube page includes links to these videos and can be found here.
Scenario 1: Communication Break Down
Summary: Carla is a new school librarian who is trying a little to hard to get her principal's attention. She sends way too many emails and spends a lot of her time trying to catch the principal whenever she leaves her office. Unfortunately, all of this leaves the principal more annoyed with Carla than impressed.
SLF Strategies:
Class Strategies:
SLF Strategies:
- Make your work visible so others can see it without having to be told about it.
- Summarize what you want to say and try to stick to the important things.
- Suggest a regular meeting with the principal to discuss important topics.
- Be organized and concise.
- Be understanding of the principal's busy schedule. Don't be surprised or upset if the principal doesn't always have time to meet with you or return your emails.
- Make sure you are ready with the appropriate information in case the principal needs it or the opportunity arises to offer it to him/her.
Class Strategies:
Scenario 2: Scheduling Woes
Summary: Alice is a School Library Media Specialist who has just learned that her superintendent has moved the library to fixed scheduling and has put Alice on lunch, recess, and bus duty. The superintendent believes that Alice needs to be a team player and accept her new schedule. Unfortunately, Alice has decided that her only course of action is to buy a new jacket.
SLF Strategies:
Class Strategies:
SLF Strategies:
- Display student work for teachers, parents, and administrators to see.
- Enlist parent volunteers to help with tasks like checkout.
- Encourage teachers to share your collaborative successes at meetings.
- Create regular reports including circulation statistics and the benefits of the library on student achievement.
- Come up with solutions to problems, and be willing to compromise.
Class Strategies:
Scenario 3: Budget and Job Cuts
Summary: Renee is experiencing budgeting issues and lost her assistant. The school board is making more cuts and is going to cut her position by the end of the year.
SLF Strategies:
Class Strategies:
SLF Strategies:
- Showcase student work and successful projects.
- Create a stellar annual report.
- Attend board meetings and make presentations.
- Be visible.
- Get support from parents.
Class Strategies: