Ask Alex! SLG Scotland’s resident Agony Aunt to the rescue

Category: Blog, SLG Scotland

Welcome to our Agony Aunt page – Ask Alex!

Do you work in a school library in Scotland? Do you have a problem or need advice?

Get in touch with Alex so she can offer her words of wisdom.

(All submissions are anonymous unless you wish a personal reply)

Dear Alex,

I’ve been told that my library is to be used for exams. Help! What can I do for those six weeks?

Thanks,

Testing Times

 

Hi Testing Times,

Firstly, try not to take it personally. I know it’s easy to say, but it’s highly unlikely that the person making the decision has thought any further than that the library is a big room, with realising the impact on you and your work.

Ask your SLT for a meeting to discuss your concerns. If possible, have data available relating to the use of the library – sometimes it helps to be able to show exactly what will be lost if the library is closed for six weeks. Remember to mention the use of the library as a study space for pupils during exam leave – where will they go instead? What about those vulnerable pupils over interval and lunchtime? It might not change the decision, but at least you’ll know that you’ve done what you can.

If the library must close, consider if you can deliver services in another way. Of course, this will be dependent on how much access to the library you will have. A “pop-up” library trolley could be offered in social areas and/or classrooms. Perhaps even a return to the lockdown click & collect days.

It’s approaching the end of session, so use some time to get to grips with Vibrant Libraries, Thriving Schools and How Good Is Our School Library? for a spot of self-evaluation and improvement planning. On similar lines, producing an annual report of all your achievements for SLT might just help remind them of how great you are and help prevent future closures (you can dream…).

Your own CLPL is often neglected. Look for online courses or webinars that you can catch up with. Remember, knowing your stock is an important part of the role, so make time for some reading, too. Professional learning visits to other libraries are a fantastic way to generate ideas for your own library. Reaching out on Basecamp or social media is bound to generate invitations! Alternatively, try visiting your local primary schools, either to do some transition work or to see their libraries. I’ve found knowing pupils’ previous library experience to be useful (it can explain a lot!).

Use the time to get on with those wee tasks that you’ve thought about doing “one day”. Create or revamp reading lists, prepare lessons, work on a Reading Schools application, research and write project and grant applications, create wishlists for upcoming book publications, update any websites or online catalogue pages…you get the idea. Teaching staff tend to be more available, so use the opportunity to network with a view to collaborating in the future.

Good luck!