Anyone who works in school - does this sound unreasonable??

[purpleprincess]

I've recently (September) started work as school librarian in a primary school (some MNers advised me on what to wear for the interview back in July). I have never worked in a school before (my background is in marketing) and they did not request specific experience. At the interview they did make it clear that I would be having children coming into the library for library lessons but the reality is very different from what I thougth it would be. I work only 3 mornings a week (12 hours in total) and am required to have all 12 classes in the library every week during this time. As the half hour they are supposed to be in library is part of the teachers PPA time they come in with their TA. I am supposed to teach them library skiils. I am not a teacher and never done anything like this before. I dont have much time during my working day to sort out what they should be doing and wouldnt really know where to start anyway. They have decided that i wont teach library skills this term but seems that i will be after Xmas. Apart from that the library is in a mess - the school recently combined to become a primary school (was infant and junior on different sites) so need lots of new books and to get all the younger children on the library system etc. I seem to be responsible for this as well and cannot imagine when I am ever going to get this done. I have requested meeting with my manager next week but just wanted to ask what you think of this and if you work in a primary school how does the library work in your school?

Obviously as a grade 4 and only working 12 hours a week I dont get paid that much and at the moment this is proving to be rather more stressful than I have envisaged and certainly not worth it financially to be this worried about it. Maybe i have unrealistic expectations about working in a school....

Thanks for reading this far.

I would suggest having a meeting with the head and explaining the problem. They really should have told you what the job involved at the interview.

They may claim that they did (my manager was not at the school at the time) and I did point out that i would need a lot of support etc Also the fact that it is a new school and therefore lots of other issues going on as well. I think part of the problem is this PPA issue that the teachers are desparate for their time but think it is unusual that part of this time is library time? Anyone any experience of this?

TIA

I suspect that you were taken on as part of the PPA arrangements! Ds's school have lots of non-teachers coming in to do extra activities during this time, dance, sports, cooking etc. It wouldn't surprise me if that was the main focus and the actual library jobs would be secondary. Although that should have been made clear. Because TBH, 12 classes will surely take up most of your 12 hours.

Non-teachers sounds awful, sorry. I mean of course specialists in other areas!

Yes - on Monday's I have 3 classes (plus a morning break duty), on Wednesdays 4 classes and on Thursday's 5 classes in the library. There is definetly a focus on also improving the library and the whole PPA thing was not mentioned at all at the interview - I wouldnt have known what it was anyway!!

Purple, are you a member of Unison? I think you should speak to your rep. (or join up!)

What does your job description say?

Yes I am a member of Unison but as yet I have no job description! Obviously something I need to discuss with my manager!!

Just bumping this a bit... just checked the original job application letter and it does say that class will visit the library each week with TA and role will involve considerable supervision of pupils etc So I supposed I cant say I wasnt warned but the reality of trying to take 12 classes a week within 12 hours and not having any training etc is quite different to what I envisaged. Any tips from anyone else or what goes on in your school libraries. I am hoping to have a meeting with my manager tomorrow.

TIA

While it is wrong if you were not advised of your working expectations at interview your job description sounds like thatof every other school librarian I have worked with.

To be honest I think you may have been naive about what working in a school library or in fact any position in a school - at our school everyone does over and above their job description and this justcomes with the territory. But you do need more support and shoud get this

I don't think this is unreasonable thing for a school librarian, and tbh I think it sounds quite fun. I'm not clear from your posts as to whether you've had a class visiting the library yet, or how it actually works in practice.

What I would expect from what you describe is that you are certainly not doing "whole class teaching", but rather that you are around to advise children on the books they are choosing, and to help them correctly log the books into and out of the system.

I would check with your line manager to confirm that it is the TA who has "supervision" of the class during that time; so ultimately behaviour is his/her problem, not yours.

You might want to design and display some posters about "positive library behaviour" and what you expect in terms of noise levels, returning books to the exact place on the shelves, handling books with care and respect, etc., and also the basic layout of the library. And if you are not confident in handling the classes you may wish to request that each class visits the library at least once this term with their teacher whilst you go over the library rules.

As time goes on you might want to devise short sessions (say 5 mins max) with small groups (say 5 children in each group) covering different aspects of libraries ... using reference books, handling non-fiction books, choosing fiction books, ... But once you've devised a 'session' this would be used every lesson for 6 weeks before every child in the school had experienced it.

I think the big issue is whether you've got time to fulfil your other library/admin responsibilities: and this is a tricky one. But all you can do is suck it and see. Be very clear that you are only paid (badly) for 12 hours a week, and if 6 of these are spent with children, then there is a limited amount that you can do. Do as much as you can do, and don't stress that you haven't got a perfect, brilliant, fully-functioning library up-and-running by Christmas. It will come gradually.

If there are specific big issues that are bothering you (like getting all the children on to the system), then ask whether there is a budget available for you to do some overtime (if this is desirable to you.

If you're really not happy with the idea at all, then of course you need to re-think the job. But there are loads of fantastic advantages to working in a school (TTO for one), and if you're passionate about children's books and reading I'm sure you will soon be loving it.

Do ask your school about training, and research for yourself possible training courses: I'm sure they'll be amenable.

It does get easier too with time. I work as a cover supervisor in secondary schools, and came into the job with no teaching qualifications and precious little relevant experience; but you do soon get into the swing of things.

Sounds as if you need to clarify things. Supervising a class choosing books is very difficult to teaching a class research skills

Check with Unison, but as far as I know, unless pay has been negotiated, then you should not be taking a class without the class teacher present.
I work in a school, in a classroom not the library, there are issues with PPA cover at our school that are slowly being resolved.

also remeber that teachers have ppa because it takes time to plan & prepare - it would seem unreasonable to expect you to be 'teaching' the whole time you're in the library. our librarians do intro talks to each class, but with a teacher present. if ther's a ta, ask who is in charge of the class, and remind them that you were promised support.
it sounds like a typical school - too many jobs, not enough staff or money. it is normal for non teaching staff to take some responsibility, but if you're new to it you should be given the training & support you need. too often, it's just assumed you're ok unless you yell for help.

don't get stressed - they're only little children, and mos the other staff will be so busy they'll just be delighted that you're doing something.

Hi purpleprincess

I'm a medical librarian and have only done work experience in a secondary school (loooong time ago) so no real useful info, but am I right in thinking that you have no previous experience in working in a library, or is it just school libraries that are new to you?

If it's the former, I'm not surprised you're feeling chucked in at the deep end - can you make contact with colleagues at other schools to see what they're doing, possibly speak to the Youth Librarian at your local public library for tips?

I think you definitely need clarification of exactly what sort of skills the children will be expected to be learning from you, as well as the general library development and maintenance work that is needed.

You may find CILIP , the professional library association helpful, if you haven't checked them out already. They have special interest groups and links to loads of info about working in different sectors.

Sorry if this is completely useless and stuff that has been gone over before...I'm new!

I'm sure that you will do a fab job once you get to grips with things but it does make me when library jobs are advertised as needing no previous experience/professional qualifications - it is often in my experience a way of employers justifying paying low wages.

Your SLT or line manger should be supporting you on settling into a new role, roisin has given some excellent advice, you may also find some ideas on the teachers. tv website

Our librarian in a secondary school does the following,
runs librray sessions on his own before and after school and during lunch, runs a chess and revision club, supervises his own librarians, provides library skills classes as well as doing some cover work. I do know he finds the job hard going at times as he has had to create his role and started with very little training.

Our librarian in a secondary school does the following,
runs library sessions on her own before and after school and during both lunch breaks, supervises any children working in the library during the day, supervises her own librarians, and organises all the staff required for cover throughout the school, including booking and liaising with supply teachers.

Wow - thanks for all your replies since last night. Have had a meeting with my manager today who agrees that the way the library is being used at the moment (including my role) is not working. She also agrees that the main part of the problem is that library time takes place during PPA time so I am expected to have all 12 classes in the library every week - that is the whole class! Never worked in a library or a school before. How can I be expected to know what working in a school library might be like if I haven't done it before? At least I have the support of my manager who has a vision for the library which is very differnt to what it is now. She also commented that if they just want me to be a minder during PPA then this will never be achieved. We also briefly discussed my grade which would mean although I would take classes I would not be expected to plan them myself which I am having to do at the moment.

Hopefully in the long run we can sort it out as I would like to make the library a success and help the children enjoy books - but it might just take a while.

In the meantime thanks for all your advice.

gosh roisin and I thought our librarian had to do a lot.