Interview With Media Specialist
Eight Questions and Responses.
I really enjoyed speaking with the librarian at Nord Middle School in Amherst. She was very friendly and obviously loves both her students and her job. We sat and talked for an hour about many things, some not even related to her job. It was a very nice assignment to complete.
Interview with Mrs. Connie Butler: School Media Aide
How do you select books for the library?
"I always ask students what they are interested in. I also use the book fair to get ideas."
How are the library books paid for?
"I use the funds that are earned through the Book Fair sales. Some years are better than others. This year was not very lucrative and so we will not have as many new books for next year."
Are you able to share books with other schools in the district?
"No, unfortunately there is no sharing that goes on between the schools. The high school flat out refuses to share any books with us at all. The 7-8 building can be more flexible with me, they know if we need something it will be returned."
Now that the end of the school year is approaching, do you have special procedures that you need to follow?
"At the end of the year, I do a complete inventory of all the books we have. The students will only be able to check out one book next week, then they will not be allowed to take any books home so I can get all the work done. I go through all of the books and make sure they are not outdated or too damaged. Those I just throw out, but the ones that are still good get put back in order for next year."
You really seem to like what you do, what is your favorite part of your job?
"I love the kids. Its really nice to not be in a classroom where I am held to grading standards and lesson plans. I like the freedom to really get to know the students on a personal level."
How long have you been a librarian?
"Actually, I am what is called a media aide. The media specialist is the person I report to. He is in another building and only works two days a week. So I pretty much run things here. I have been at this school for nine years, and I was at two other schools for three years each."
Are students allowed to come in any time they would like to?
"Through grade six, library is a special, so the kids come to library as part of their rotation. During RTI students can come to the library to read. Sometimes students need to use the computers, and that's fine if they are working on a project."
I can tell you really love the students and you also really love books. What genre is your favorite?
"Believe it or not, I love the stories that the kids are reading. I like to read what they are interested in so we can talk about the books together, or if someone needs a recommendation I can suggest something that can be a good fit for them."
Does Nord have the Accelerated Reader program?
"Yes, and I don't like it at all. It's much better than it used to be, but it can be a deterrent to kids who are more concerned with finding the right point value book than something they would actually enjoy reading. It also affects how I order the books. There are certain requirements for books the students use for things like biographies. The books need to be a minimum of 150 pages in length. This really eliminates a lot of good books that kids would enjoy. It's a tough age group anyway."
Interview with Mrs. Connie Butler: School Media Aide
How do you select books for the library?
"I always ask students what they are interested in. I also use the book fair to get ideas."
How are the library books paid for?
"I use the funds that are earned through the Book Fair sales. Some years are better than others. This year was not very lucrative and so we will not have as many new books for next year."
Are you able to share books with other schools in the district?
"No, unfortunately there is no sharing that goes on between the schools. The high school flat out refuses to share any books with us at all. The 7-8 building can be more flexible with me, they know if we need something it will be returned."
Now that the end of the school year is approaching, do you have special procedures that you need to follow?
"At the end of the year, I do a complete inventory of all the books we have. The students will only be able to check out one book next week, then they will not be allowed to take any books home so I can get all the work done. I go through all of the books and make sure they are not outdated or too damaged. Those I just throw out, but the ones that are still good get put back in order for next year."
You really seem to like what you do, what is your favorite part of your job?
"I love the kids. Its really nice to not be in a classroom where I am held to grading standards and lesson plans. I like the freedom to really get to know the students on a personal level."
How long have you been a librarian?
"Actually, I am what is called a media aide. The media specialist is the person I report to. He is in another building and only works two days a week. So I pretty much run things here. I have been at this school for nine years, and I was at two other schools for three years each."
Are students allowed to come in any time they would like to?
"Through grade six, library is a special, so the kids come to library as part of their rotation. During RTI students can come to the library to read. Sometimes students need to use the computers, and that's fine if they are working on a project."
I can tell you really love the students and you also really love books. What genre is your favorite?
"Believe it or not, I love the stories that the kids are reading. I like to read what they are interested in so we can talk about the books together, or if someone needs a recommendation I can suggest something that can be a good fit for them."
Does Nord have the Accelerated Reader program?
"Yes, and I don't like it at all. It's much better than it used to be, but it can be a deterrent to kids who are more concerned with finding the right point value book than something they would actually enjoy reading. It also affects how I order the books. There are certain requirements for books the students use for things like biographies. The books need to be a minimum of 150 pages in length. This really eliminates a lot of good books that kids would enjoy. It's a tough age group anyway."