The "Yes" Librarian

Jony Ariadi Teaching is hard. Really, really hard. So if you're feeling tired and sweaty (what a week!) and a little bit down, let me be your cheerleader. When I cleared the paper jam in the printer, I saw that lesson plan you  clearly agonized over . I overheard that encouraging comment you made to the kid who needed that little bit of extra nurturing. I read your tweets about the hands-on lesson you executed like a boss. And I hear you sigh when you think no one's listening. Sometimes I see your shoulders sag with the weight of all the papers you're carrying. I can almost hear you think aloud, "I wonder if the job I'm doing is good enough." It is. Believe me, it is. But if you're feeling like you need a little cheering up, let me be your cheerleader. When you're feeling a little battered and bruised from the awesome responsibility of shaping the minds and souls of young people, sit down in my corner of the ring. Let me be your cu

Don't worry. It's not what you think. I didn't put 15 copies of R.J. Palacio's brilliant blue-covered book in the trash. I did discard 15 copies from my library catalog, though. Why in the world would I do that? Didn't I know that this was one of the best books in recent years? Hadn't I heard about the upcoming movie? What was wrong with me? The truth is, I have a LOT of copies of Wonder.  I purchased 50 copies years ago when a sixth grade teacher dreamed aloud about teaching the novel to her class.  The teacher was ecstatic, the students loved the book, and all was right in the world. But then the copies languished on the shelves. You see, a lot of kids have read Wonder  by now. "I'll create a library display promoting Wonder ," I thought. "That will do the trick!"  And I have had students come in and check out the book since the start of school. But there were still plenty of copies of Wonder waiting to be taken to a good home.

I am kind of ashamed to admit that I used to be one of those librarians who was a real stickler for the rules. And in some ways, I am still a stickler. But I'm starting to rethink a lot of things. One thing I've done a complete 180 on is my policy on gaming in the library. I used to have a few kids come by after school to hang out and play harmless games like Slitherio on the computer. They weren't playing anything inappropriate, but they were in the library and they were not quietly working or reading. Surely, that could not be allowed. If I let a few kids in, hordes of kids might follow. Why, it could turn into an arcade in no time! What about the kids who wanted to study? How would they learn? I had to put an end to this gaming at once! Then the public library that's a stone's throw away from my school closed for renovations and moved into a temporary location on the other side of town. It was too much of a hike for many of our students to walk to the public

The day before school starts is like New Year's Eve for me. Okay, okay, I'm not making champagne toasts or watching a ball drop, but the new school year does feel like a fresh start. So here are my school year resolutions. 1 . Embrace change. I'm a little scared about changing my library software, but I am also excited about all of the new features. 2. Connect more with students . If a student needs help printing in the library, I am not going to yell, "Did you select the Laser jet?" Even if I have to help 5 students in a row with  the printer, I am going to be warm, friendly, and patient with each one. I am going to take time to talk to students when they check out books, unless there is a super long line. If I think of a compliment, I am going to share it.  3. Read more. Well of course I had to put this one on there. I'm a librarian. 4. Make the most of the physical space in the library.   Shifting books, weeding the collection,  and adding