Here we go, a new semester has begun in a new year.
What happened over the summer?
A bit happened.
The final grades for Semester II 2011 were good. I actually got a credit in Introduction to Educational Research (EER500) helped by a very good performance in assignment two. I was able to justify my selected model, and approaches to research in that paper. I still stand by the fact that I really learned little and months later still feel quite confused. At least my ability to reason got me through. I obviously passed ETL 411 (ICT Experience) as predicted. No surprises there.
Meanwhile I have been concerned over my ability to get employment as a teacher even on a casual basis. I decided to begin volunteering at schools. In Term 4, I made the decision to begin helping out at least once a week at a Pre School-Year 12 Independent School here in Sydney. I started in their primary school library, learning how to use the ALICE system to loan and return books. I have also used the database to identify books from the NSW Premiers Reading Challenge that require stickers placed on them. I've so far found 235 books that need stickers, and stickers have been placed. I also assist the Teacher Librarian in keeping the library tidy through shelving, shelf tidying and packing up. I've also had to liaise with teachers such as notification of overdue loans to students and attending to their requests for assistance. I have met wonderful students and teachers and I get along with them quite well despite my volunteer status. From helping out, I've felt more confident about dealing with library routines and using the equipment to undertake the job effectively. I continue to assist in that library.
In Term 1, 2012 I have also commenced helping out in the secondary school library. My main focus is on weeding articles from the vertical file which will be digitised. It has been quite a tough challenge Quite often they may be dated, but provide the only useful information on that topic or aspect of it. Some articles may be sourced from outside NSW or overseas, but are highly useful. Obviously, duplicate copies are weeded. I have found for some topic areas (especially areas within law) that some articles need to be weeded because I feel that students studying legal studies for instance may be confused if articles are not related to either NSW or national law. At the end of the day weeding articles is really dependent on the topic and how the students may use it. I'm also challenged by my lack of familiarity of the syllabus outside Human Society & Its environment, meaning I cannot weed as effectively as I should. I've also been asked to assist students locate relevant resources that relate to their study. I'm usually briefed on the topic area and what they require, which helps me. As a bonus, I observe classes that the Teacher Librarian is directing such as research skills lessons. This means I can understand how a teacher librarian can build a relationship with the students, not just at the library but in the classroom as well. It is important that I build this relationship and offer that classroom presence, because it helps the students with their learning in terms of research and information skills in their learning but also provide another outlet to promote the library and its services.
As well as helping out in schools, I also volunteer during holiday periods at Hurstville City Library during basic duties such as shelving and shelf tidy. I also get to observe how larger libraries work and the systems that they use to manage library resources effectively. I've already been able to incorporate those ideas in the school setting such as sorting books by area (fiction/ non fiction) etc and putting them in alphabetical or numerical order to ensure that books are placed in their correct position.
