The Librarian Influencer of the Week is Hilda K. Weisburg. Hilda was a school librarian for over 30 years and is now an author, speaker, and adjunct instructor at William Paterson University. Click here to listen to her interview now.
Here are some Librarian Influencer strategies Hilda shared for early-career librarians:
Hilda describes herself as a disaster her first year as she worked alone. Her second year she worked with a head librarian and that made all the difference! She encourages everyone to find a mentor.
She challenges the notion that leaders are born. She was not a leader in the beginning stages of her career.
Hilda co-wrote and edited the School Librarian's Workshop for K-12 librarians for 35 years. It originally started as a bimonthly newsletter and later became a Facebook group.
You don’t work to lecture or tell. You want to empower and engage.
Hilda’s most recent book is titled Classroom Management for School Librarians.- https://www.alastore.ala.org/scmgmt
Hilda intended to write this book with the preservice librarian in mind. However, after talking with school librarians, she realized that it had important information for all school librarians.
The library classroom is not the same as a teacher’s classroom.
We switch between multiple grades/subjects period by period.
Some librarians work with multiple schools
They are not your kids like they would be if you were their daily classroom teacher.
Relationship-building is a required skill
You need a Mission, Vision, and a guiding Philosophy to stay focused
Library curriculum -
The library must be a safe, welcoming space for all.
EDI -Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Trauma informed teaching and learning
Time Management
Hilda’s recommends:
Find a mentor ASAP.
Join your state and national library association so you can get the professional development you need.
Learn the AASL standards and get familiar with them.
Hilda also recommends downloading the evaluation checklist tool.
You can follow Librarian Influencer Hilda K. Weisburg at:
Hilda is leading a 6-week e-course on Leadership for School Librarians beginning on October 5. https://www.alastore.ala.org/content/leadership-school-librarians-ecourse
Twitter: @hildakw
Facebook: The School Librarians Workshop - ttps://www.facebook.com/groups/57409801076
Blog: HildaKWeisburg.com/blog
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